Mammillaria with a hole

Trouble shoot problems you are having with your cactus.
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Zimi
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2022 4:42 pm
Location: Northern Italy (zone 8b)

Mammillaria with a hole

Post by Zimi »

Hello!

I’m fairly new to cacti, and I bought this Mammillaria some weeks ago.
By browsing this website I learned a bit about soil, so I unpotted it to check the roots and put a more suitable substrate in.
Doing this I noticed it had a hole in its side just under the soil line which could fit my fingertip. The tissue wasn’t smelly nor slimy, but still a bit soft and thready, a bit like coconut fiber. I thought it might end up fully rotting due to its position, so I disinfected a knife and cut away the affected part: a very small layer of tissue, the flesh underneath it was hard and seemed healthy (it was pink, but I’ve seen some cut Mammillaria specimens online with the same coloring). I sprinkled rooting powder on it and left it to dry.

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I realize it would have been smarter to ask here before playing doctor, but here we are, so I’m asking now: did I do something awfully wrong? And how long do I leave it to dry now? It saddens me to see it there with its roots up in the air, but due to the position of the damaged area I’m afraid it would just be worse to repot it now.

Thank you!
Location: Northern Italy (zone 8b)
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anttisepp
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Location: Suomi - Finland

Re: Mammillaria with a hole

Post by anttisepp »

Right job! :thumbright: Nice plant, you have saved it's life!
Dont plant it deep, the wound have to be above soil surface, don't give water about 2-3 weeks anter planting.
Don't worry, later this wound will become completely invisible.
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Zimi
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Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2022 4:42 pm
Location: Northern Italy (zone 8b)

Re: Mammillaria with a hole

Post by Zimi »

Thank you, Anttisepp!

I'll prop it up as much as possible to keep it out of the soil. :)
Location: Northern Italy (zone 8b)
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Zimi
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2022 4:42 pm
Location: Northern Italy (zone 8b)

Re: Mammillaria with a hole

Post by Zimi »

Hi, I don't know if it's common to follow up on these posts, but I wanted to give a small update: I've since replanted the cactus following Antti's directions, and it's alive and well, sprouting roots from the damaged part.
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So thanks again for helping me save my plant!
Location: Northern Italy (zone 8b)
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MrXeric
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Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2020 10:31 pm
Location: California, USDA zone 10a

Re: Mammillaria with a hole

Post by MrXeric »

New roots are always a happy sight. Congrats on saving your plant!
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jerrytheplater
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Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:38 pm
Location: Bloomingdale, NJ (USDA Zone 6b)
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Re: Mammillaria with a hole

Post by jerrytheplater »

Follow ups are always welcome. Growing cacti requires patience and time. That is the nice thing about Forums-you can go back to your post months later and update your successes and failures.

Good news about your damaged plant rooting!
Jerry Smith
Bloomingdale, NJ
45 inches (114 cm) rain equivalent per year, approx. evenly spread per month
2012 USDA Hardiness Zone 6b: -5F to OF (-20C to -18C) min.
Mrs.Green
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Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2020 5:59 pm

Re: Mammillaria with a hole

Post by Mrs.Green »

Congratulations Zimi 😊 As a bit of a ‘rescuer’ myself, I always find rescue stories interesting.
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