Is this rust or something else?
Is this rust or something else?
Hello,
I've noticed that for a couple months now there's some orange patches at the base of my cactus. It always stayed at the base and hasn't spread to other cacti. It doesn't come off if I try to scrape it off either and has not responded to the fungicide I used. (Safer's 3 in 1 garden spray ready to use, I couldn't find anything else near me unfortunately)
I've noticed that for a couple months now there's some orange patches at the base of my cactus. It always stayed at the base and hasn't spread to other cacti. It doesn't come off if I try to scrape it off either and has not responded to the fungicide I used. (Safer's 3 in 1 garden spray ready to use, I couldn't find anything else near me unfortunately)
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Canada, zone 5A
- mmcavall
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2016 11:54 pm
- Location: São Carlos - SP, Southeast Brazil, Cerrado Region
Re: Is this rust or something else?
I have the same problem here and no solution until now (not sure I its rust or some kind of mites damage)
It advances very slowly here...and yours?
It advances very slowly here...and yours?
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Yes very very slowly as well.I tried scraping it off but if it comes off it's just cactus skin. It's like those spots are not coating the skin it's just the skin that turned calloused and orange.
Canada, zone 5A
- Tom in Tucson
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2022 4:12 pm
- Location: NW Tucson AZ area
Re: Is this rust or something else?
I think you have a common problem that I've seen hundreds of times: calcium carbonate accumulation. The easiest way to prevent this build up, is to either use rain water, distilled water, or use a filter to remove all the TDS (total dissolved solids) from tap water.
The plants already affected will take a while to shed these crystals, but your new ones shouldn't accumulate any build up. BTW, the deposits are usually harmless, just ugly.
The plants already affected will take a while to shed these crystals, but your new ones shouldn't accumulate any build up. BTW, the deposits are usually harmless, just ugly.
Re: Is this rust or something else?
You think that could be it? My last jug of water was distilled water but I noticed my husband bought ozonated natural spring water this time (bottled)Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 7:39 pm I think you have a common problem that I've seen hundreds of times: calcium carbonate accumulation. The easiest way to prevent this build up, is to either use rain water, distilled water, or use a filter to remove all the TDS (total dissolved solids) from tap water.
The plants already affected will take a while to shed these crystals, but your new ones shouldn't accumulate any build up. BTW, the deposits are usually harmless, just ugly.
Canada, zone 5A
- mmcavall
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2016 11:54 pm
- Location: São Carlos - SP, Southeast Brazil, Cerrado Region
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Here is one of my severe damaged plants.
I dont think this can be calcium carbonate accumulation. These plants takes only rain.
The problem occurs only in the Ferocactus (some different species), none of the other plants is affected
It starts from the base and grow very slowly. Never reached the top of the plant. It stoped for a while and the new growth of the attaked plants is healthy. But I suspect it is starting again. It is difficult to observe the advance of it if you dont take pictures to compare.
I dont think this can be calcium carbonate accumulation. These plants takes only rain.
The problem occurs only in the Ferocactus (some different species), none of the other plants is affected
It starts from the base and grow very slowly. Never reached the top of the plant. It stoped for a while and the new growth of the attaked plants is healthy. But I suspect it is starting again. It is difficult to observe the advance of it if you dont take pictures to compare.
- mmcavall
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2016 11:54 pm
- Location: São Carlos - SP, Southeast Brazil, Cerrado Region
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Your description is perfect. I have exactly the same impression.
I suspected that it could be mite damage, I have searched for mites with a magnifying glass and saw nothing. Anyway I gave the plant a hot bath (put the plant in hot water at 55 degrees celsius for 2 minutes) in attempt to kill any bugs. After that it apparently stoped but it could be just my impression. I noticed more affected plants recently.
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- Location: St. Louis Park, MN. Zone 4b, Great Plains/Upper Midwest
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Re: Is this rust or something else?
The photos brought to mind some prior mentions of Fusarium and Botrytis infections. A quick search of this site will bring you to the posts.mmcavall wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:30 amYour description is perfect. I have exactly the same impression.
I suspected that it could be mite damage, I have searched for mites with a magnifying glass and saw nothing. Anyway I gave the plant a hot bath (put the plant in hot water at 55 degrees celsius for 2 minutes) in attempt to kill any bugs. After that it apparently stoped but it could be just my impression. I noticed more affected plants recently.
The photos do appear different; one looks like calcium depostion as Tom suggests, one appears fungal to me. The hot bath might have partially inactivated the disease, causing the slowing or stoppage.
Just my impressions, but try the search to read more.
- mmcavall
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2016 11:54 pm
- Location: São Carlos - SP, Southeast Brazil, Cerrado Region
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Thank you Minnesota, l'll search for this.
Re: Is this rust or something else?
So mine is probably calcium deposit like Tom said. Thanks guys
Canada, zone 5A
- Tom in Tucson
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2022 4:12 pm
- Location: NW Tucson AZ area
Re: Is this rust or something else?
I would stay away from using spring water, as they do contain TDS. OK for drinking, but not for plant use. It also occurred to me that your soil may be the culprit. Too much fertilizer in the soil can lead to a similar condition (excessive salts and other minerals). I steer clear of packaged soil mixes, and try to re-pot into my own soil when buying potted plants.Mizu wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 8:59 pmYou think that could be it? My last jug of water was distilled water but I noticed my husband bought ozonated natural spring water this time (bottled)Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 7:39 pm I think you have a common problem that I've seen hundreds of times: calcium carbonate accumulation. The easiest way to prevent this build up, is to either use rain water, distilled water, or use a filter to remove all the TDS (total dissolved solids) from tap water.
The plants already affected will take a while to shed these crystals, but your new ones shouldn't accumulate any build up. BTW, the deposits are usually harmless, just ugly.
Re: Is this rust or something else?
I'm using bonsai jack succulent mix, there's no fertilizer added to it.Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:31 pmI would stay away from using spring water, as they do contain TDS. OK for drinking, but not for plant use. It also occurred to me that your soil may be the culprit. Too much fertilizer in the soil can lead to a similar condition (excessive salts and other minerals). I steer clear of packaged soil mixes, and try to re-pot into my own soil when buying potted plants.Mizu wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 8:59 pmYou think that could be it? My last jug of water was distilled water but I noticed my husband bought ozonated natural spring water this time (bottled)Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Thu Mar 16, 2023 7:39 pm I think you have a common problem that I've seen hundreds of times: calcium carbonate accumulation. The easiest way to prevent this build up, is to either use rain water, distilled water, or use a filter to remove all the TDS (total dissolved solids) from tap water.
The plants already affected will take a while to shed these crystals, but your new ones shouldn't accumulate any build up. BTW, the deposits are usually harmless, just ugly.
Canada, zone 5A
- Tom in Tucson
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2022 4:12 pm
- Location: NW Tucson AZ area
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Their soil is of high quality but a little pricey.Mizu wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 12:19 pmI'm using bonsai jack succulent mix, there's no fertilizer added to it.Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:31 pmI would stay away from using spring water, as they do contain TDS. OK for drinking, but not for plant use. It also occurred to me that your soil may be the culprit. Too much fertilizer in the soil can lead to a similar condition (excessive salts and other minerals). I steer clear of packaged soil mixes, and try to re-pot into my own soil when buying potted plants.
One other thing you might try is adding a little vinegar to your water. It should help dissolve any mineral build up, and is usually harmless (some say beneficial).
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Holy crap... That looks exactly like what happened to a Ferocactus that one one of the first cacti I ever got! The poor thing died real fast after this started. I had no idea what happened at the time. With the wisdom of a bunch more years of cactus education and experience I figured it rotted because I was growing it in Home Depot "cactus and succulent soil" and watered it way, way to much... You know, the usual noob mistakes.mmcavall wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:24 am Here is one of my severe damaged plants.
I dont think this can be calcium carbonate accumulation. These plants takes only rain.
20220928_070518-01_copy_800x800.jpg
The problem occurs only in the Ferocactus (some different species), none of the other plants is affected
It starts from the base and grow very slowly. Never reached the top of the plant. It stoped for a while and the new growth of the attaked plants is healthy. But I suspect it is starting again. It is difficult to observe the advance of it if you dont take pictures to compare.
Now I'm thinking it might have been something else.
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Zac
Butte County, CA, USA
USDA Zone 9b
Mediterranean climate; hot, dry, sunny summers with rainy, moist, mild winters.
Zac
Butte County, CA, USA
USDA Zone 9b
Mediterranean climate; hot, dry, sunny summers with rainy, moist, mild winters.
Re: Is this rust or something else?
Thank your for the tip, I'll try that the next time I water itTom in Tucson wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:50 pmTheir soil is of high quality but a little pricey.Mizu wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 12:19 pmI'm using bonsai jack succulent mix, there's no fertilizer added to it.Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:31 pm
I would stay away from using spring water, as they do contain TDS. OK for drinking, but not for plant use. It also occurred to me that your soil may be the culprit. Too much fertilizer in the soil can lead to a similar condition (excessive salts and other minerals). I steer clear of packaged soil mixes, and try to re-pot into my own soil when buying potted plants.
One other thing you might try is adding a little vinegar to your water. It should help dissolve any mineral build up, and is usually harmless (some say beneficial).
Canada, zone 5A