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Big cactus rotting top down. Should I cut?

Emilyhewett88Emilyhewett88 Posts: 4
in Problem solving
I think I've over watered my new cactus as it's turning brown in several places. Should I cut the stems off? I've ordered a soil moisture tester but fear it may be too late? Thank you for your help. 

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  • Emilyhewett88Emilyhewett88 Posts: 4
    Thank you philippa. It's a euphorbia ingens variegata and it's been quite pale since I bought it a few months ago.its still in the soil I bought it in. Would you recommend reporting? Thanks so much for your help 
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Does the pot have drainage holes?  If not, then you could try re-potting it into one which has.  Use a cactus/succulent compost which you should find in a garden centre.  Pots without holes in the bottom are probably the biggest killer of house plants as nearly everything will die if the roots are constantly wet.  Hopefully, it's not too late but if you find the roots have rotted then you could try to propagate new plants by removing new undamaged growth from the tips, waiting a couple of days for the wounds at the base to heal and placing just deep enough in dampened cacti compost to hold them upright.  These plants need full direct sunlight to do well.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Emilyhewett88Emilyhewett88 Posts: 4
    Thank you so much for your help both of you. Very much appreciated :) 
  • Emilyhewett88Emilyhewett88 Posts: 4
    Update: I've repotted into a pot with drainage holes. Soil was dry and roots look fine. I've moved out of my kitchen and into a lighter spot. I fear the brown is spreading... New pics attached. 
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