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Return to the Cacti in Oz Forum | Post a Follow-Up

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Two Questions from a total newbie...

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Posted by Annie_qld QLDAust (My Page) on
Wed, Jan 19, 05 at 2:02

PROBLEM NO 1: The photo below is one of my poor cacti...as you can see, it is in a very sad state. The original one died but the two outside babies (that you now see) were left like this.
Can I prop them up and fill the sandy mix right up to the bottom of them or will they rot?

PROBLEM NO 2: Is this poor thing dying from the bottom up?

Thanks for any help,

Annie

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RE: Two Questions from a total newbie...

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Annie,
your first plants are Rebutias. I would repot them into some fresh mix. Put the potting mix only over the root portion and then support the plants and cover the elongated part with some course gravel.
The second plant might be a Notocactus. It looks like it may have mealy-bugs which have made the scarred base of the plant. If the plant is solid and doesn't have any soft rotted parts, it looks healthy enough on the top, I would repot it too into some fresh potting mix. Wash all the old soil off the roots before you repot and do the same as I mentioned above. Use some slow release fertilizer in the mix too. Cactus need food, especially this time of year. In my experience a healthy growing cactus doesn't get diseases and pests. Joylene.

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RE: Two Questions from a total newbie...

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Thanks, Joylene. It seems to me as though that brown bit on the second cactus is gradually creeping upwards. That's why I thought it might be dying.
Nearly all my plants have been in the same pots for years.
Do you think I should re-pot all of them? Not necessarily into bigger pots but just to refresh them all.
thanks,
Annie

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RE: Two Questions from a total newbie...

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Yes that is good advice. Also if you are in a hot humid Queensland area (most regions) be careful with watering during high summer. Cooler climate Cacti such as Rebutia have a tendency to stress induced dormancy then, so are not actively growing. Too much water will cause rot. Didge.

Here is a link that might be useful: This opens up a new C&S world

  
 

 

 


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