Ortegocactus and spider mites

[Cacidy]

I think my Ortegocactus has spider mites. In the first pic there are some webs around the spines. I read that this cactus is supposed to have some rust colored corking, but the pics on google have more green down the stem and seem fatter. The spines on the lower portion also look dead to me. There are also a few hot pink spots developing in the margin of the lime greem upper growth and the rusty skin.

I like this plant alot.

[Robb]

From my experience the bottom of most Ortegocactus plants go rusty brown at some stage. I don't know if there's anything you can do to prevent it, but at any rate, it's not dead IMO. As for the mites I have had good luck spraying with a dilute laundry detergent mixture (I couldn't see any in the picture, but you could do this just in case). I hope this somewhat helps!

[Cacidy]

Thanks Robb, I sprayed with some insecticidal soap. I'm hopeful that it is the natural grow habit