Cactus is no longer ill....

[emmagleb]

For those of you who read about my cactus, Miguel, who was ill last week (posted last wednesday), he took a turn for the worst. It split into 6 pieces, erupted loads of fowl smelling goo onto his plate along with a bit of water. It looks like the top literally collapsed into itself, which tore the rest of it apart. What happened?!?!? Its taken less than a week to deteriorate from seemingly healthy to dead! Was it something I did? Was thinking of getting another one and don't want to make the same mistake again. Thanks, Emma

[Clanad]

This is from a cactus care web site here in U.S. Your description of the plant sounds suspiciously like rot...

Rot is caused by microorganisms: fungi and bacteria. It may affect the roots, stem, and/or the crown of the plant. Typically, the diseased tissue takes on a watery, slimy, soft, and blackened appearance. Damage often starts at the base of the plant and progresses to the top. Plants start to lean, then often collapse and die.

Overwatering, particularly in cold weather when cacti are dormant, is the chief cause of the problem. The disease-causing organisms thrive in moist conditions. Cold temperature and plant wounds exasperate the problem.

In theory, rot in its early stages may be checked by moving plant to a dry, temperate environment. It has been our experience that once you spot rot it is already progressed past its early stages. If rot is above ground, cut out the diseased portion of the plant with a sharp knife and dust the wound with a fungicide. In many cases, the top of the plant appears healthy above a rotten base. This healthy top may be cut off, allowed to dry, and then re-rooted in a sandy medium. Remove and destroy infected plants and/or plant parts.

Proper cultural practices help to prevent rot. Sterilizing the potting media and placing a layer of gravel on top of the soil will kill or reduce bacterial damage. Water plants early in the day and avoid spreading disease by splashing water from one infected plant to a healthy plant. In Winter, the normal dormancy period for most cacti, water sparingly.

A partial list of rot-inducing microorganisms include: Fusarium oxysporum, Phytophthora parasitica, Pythium aphanidermatum, Bipolaris cactivora, Erwinia carotovora.

[emmagleb]

Thanks, Clanad.... mental note not to water it in the winter then!! I hadn't realised cacti were dormant in winter, I must have overwatered him. Thanks again!