HELP HELP. Sick cactus...hoping not to lose the whole plant!
Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:45 am
Hi all....I am new to this forum, but am a cactus lover for many years. Currently I have 6 cacti. All must be kept indoor in pots due to I live in Wisconsin and the weather isn't great for them often. Anyway, on to my problem:
About 3 months ago I noticed my cactus Silkie the 2nd (yes I name them...hehe) sprouted a bud right smack on it top. I was so excited to see it grow and couldn't wait to see if it was gonna be a new pad or a flower. Time went on and the bud got bigger and then started to flatten, confirming it's a new pad. I was so excited!! All was going great up till about a week ago. The pad suddenly appeared to stop growing. Then I noticed it started to look sunken in. Watering small amounts a couple times a day and adding cacti nutrients (mix with the water) seemed to help at first. But now the sunken look is back and it is starting to curl in on itself and browning on the tip. It is dying!!!
I don't know what to do. I am fearful of watering too much as I don't want to get root rot. I also fear for the rest of the plant. The rest of the plant looks well and healthy. In fact another bud just showed up this week (on the side). Not sure yet if a pad or flower...time will tell. So basically my question is can the top baby pad be saved?? If not, what do I do to ensure the rest of the plant will be ok? Remove it and if so what's the best way to do it? Attached are pics...hope they help.
As for environment conditions, as stated before they are in the house. Temps are generally consistant so no huge fluxs to worry about. Humidity is usually around relative 47%. They are not next to the window, so drafts aren't an issue. They get regular indirect sun from the windows shining in the room during the day. Soil is a cacti mix. I also have rocks under the soil and above the soil to help with drainage since they are in pots. No bugs or critters near them. All other cacti are doing great....seems just this baby pad is having problems.
Thank you in advance for any advise and help offered!!!
About 3 months ago I noticed my cactus Silkie the 2nd (yes I name them...hehe) sprouted a bud right smack on it top. I was so excited to see it grow and couldn't wait to see if it was gonna be a new pad or a flower. Time went on and the bud got bigger and then started to flatten, confirming it's a new pad. I was so excited!! All was going great up till about a week ago. The pad suddenly appeared to stop growing. Then I noticed it started to look sunken in. Watering small amounts a couple times a day and adding cacti nutrients (mix with the water) seemed to help at first. But now the sunken look is back and it is starting to curl in on itself and browning on the tip. It is dying!!!
I don't know what to do. I am fearful of watering too much as I don't want to get root rot. I also fear for the rest of the plant. The rest of the plant looks well and healthy. In fact another bud just showed up this week (on the side). Not sure yet if a pad or flower...time will tell. So basically my question is can the top baby pad be saved?? If not, what do I do to ensure the rest of the plant will be ok? Remove it and if so what's the best way to do it? Attached are pics...hope they help.
As for environment conditions, as stated before they are in the house. Temps are generally consistant so no huge fluxs to worry about. Humidity is usually around relative 47%. They are not next to the window, so drafts aren't an issue. They get regular indirect sun from the windows shining in the room during the day. Soil is a cacti mix. I also have rocks under the soil and above the soil to help with drainage since they are in pots. No bugs or critters near them. All other cacti are doing great....seems just this baby pad is having problems.
Thank you in advance for any advise and help offered!!!