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Cactus help!

sophieajones1sophieajones1 Posts: 3
in Problem solving
Hi all,

I’ve had this cactus for years but over the last few months it has started to become discoloured in certain areas, the discoloured areas have also affected its shape. I have tried to touch it and from what I can tell it still feels solid and not mushy.

Is it likely to be rot? If so, can it be saved?
It was the first plant I ever owned so I’d like to save it if possible! 

Thanks in advance! 

Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Can you tell us a bit more about where the plant is kept and how you look after it please? Over the winter they generally like to be kept somewhere cool and bright with very little water if any. As long as they don't get too much heat or direct sun and you don't water them at this time of year then there's very little that can go wrong with them.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    It looks like the affected areas are all on one side, so @wild edges is probably right and it could have been strong sunlight.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • sophieajones1sophieajones1 Posts: 3
    wild edges said:
    Can you tell us a bit more about where the plant is kept and how you look after it please? Over the winter they generally like to be kept somewhere cool and bright with very little water if any. As long as they don't get too much heat or direct sun and you don't water them at this time of year then there's very little that can go wrong with them.

    It was kept on the windowsill (south facing) but I was concerned the markings were damage from too much direct sunlight so I’ve moved it to a different spot, still sunny but less intense. I hardly ever water it in winter, maybe once a month if that.
    I’m hoping it’s just sun damage so will see if it improves in its new spot, thanks for your help! 
  • sophieajones1sophieajones1 Posts: 3
    BobTheGardener said:
    It looks like the affected areas are all on one side, so @wild edges is probably right and it could have been strong sunlight.
    Yes that’s what I was hoping. I moved it away from the windowsill a few weeks ago as thought that might be the cause (it’s a south facing window so gets direct sunlight most of the day). Thanks for your help.
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