Problems with an Opuntia

anansi · Post by **anansi** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 10:51 pm

Hi, I have an Opuntia that was grown from a cutting of a very mature cactus (30+ years old). The cutting did well for the first year but I have moved to a place that has very little indoor light. It is about 1.5 feet tall but it is very thin. It has very few spines. I have recently tried to move it outdoors for additional light (I'm in Mississippi) but being outside causes it to droop. The temp. today was about 85 F. It was not very humid.

I am very concerned about this cactus. It has great sentimental value (it has passed from my grandmother to my father, both of whom have passed-- and I have a cutting from that plant--couldn't move the whole plant as it is over 6ft tall and weighs more than I do). What can I do to reinvigorate this plant? Thanks in advance for any help.

king_hedes · Post by **king_hedes** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 10:55 pm

its probably shock from having a little light to having a lot i would suggest to put it in the shade some were till it thickens up then put it in the sun

Peterthecactusguy · Post by **Peterthecactusguy** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:11 pm

sounds like it went for having no light or very little to way too much. I would suggest moving it to shade and gradually re-adjusting it to sunlight a little bit every day til it starts to right itself.

Whatever you do....MOVE it out of the light before it gets damaged even more.

Andy_CT · Post by **Andy_CT** » Mon Apr 12, 2010 11:28 pm

I personally need to see a picture of this one before offering my 2 cents.

ihc6480 · Post by **ihc6480** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:06 am

Andy_CT wrote:I personally need to see a picture of this one before offering my 2 cents.

I agree, a picture is almost a must. Besides, I want to see this 6ft opuntia.

Peterthecactusguy · Post by **Peterthecactusguy** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:30 am

The problem cacti is a cutting from the 6 footer if I read the post right.

I have a feeling its going to be etiolated but I might be a newbie and be wrong. A pic would definitely help.

anansi · Post by **anansi** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:35 am

I moved it out of the sun as soon as I noticed the drooping. I will work on acclimating it to outside sunlight. I'll post a picture as soon as I can. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of the big 6ft parent. Its at my father's old house (where my sister is probably neglecting it) which is about 800 miles away . . . It was my grandmothers cactus. When she died 22 years ago my dad took it. When he passed last year I took a cutting from the plant. I couldn't take the whole thing as that would have required moving it from WV to Los Angeles.

Thanks for the help.

Peterthecactusguy · Post by **Peterthecactusguy** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:40 am

ok. well once you get a pic we can probably better ID the problem... I have a feeling I know what is wrong with it, but I am not sure now..