If your cactus plant is discolored, dry, parts of the plant or leaves are drooping, there are steps you can take on the plant. First, diagnose the problem and provide prompt treatment. Next, take steps that can keep the cactus alive in the long term by providing the right planting media, lighting, and environmental conditions.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Providing Immediate Treatment
Step 1. Water the wilted cactus with plenty of water
If some parts of the cactus look shriveled, shriveled, or wilted (drooping or looking limp), the plant may need more water. When the soil is completely dry, water the cactus thoroughly until the water comes out of the bottom of the pot.
If the soil is not dry, this may be due to a condition called etiolation, which is when the stem or spherical parts of the cactus are closely spaced. This means that the cactus needs more sunlight so you should move the pot to an area that gets a lot of sun
Step 2. Cut off the rotting parts of the plant
Cut off any brown or black parts of the plant. Rot can be caused by mold that appears due to excessive watering. If the soil is completely submerged, remove the plant from the pot, and replace the planting medium with a good soil mixture. If not all of the soil is waterlogged, allow the soil to dry completely before you water it again.
A standard planting medium mix for desert cacti can be made from 2 parts garden soil, 2 parts coarse sand, and 1 part peat
Step 3. Place cacti whose branches are too close together in an area that gets more sunlight
Cacti that are rounded with a tapered top, or whose stems are narrow and stringy to form columns, are signs of a condition called etiolation. The reason is the lack of sunlight received by plants. So, look for areas that have been exposed to long periods of sun exposure (such as an east-facing window) or strong sunlight (in a west-facing window).
Step 4. Check if the bark of the plant turns yellow
If the part of the plant's bark facing the light turns yellow or brown, it means the plant is getting too much sun. Immediately move the cactus to a shaded area (such as a north or south-facing window) with more gentle sun exposure.
Wait for the cactus to respond to its new shaded location. If there is no change in the yellowish part of the plant within a few weeks, cut the part above the green, healthy area of the stem
Step 5. Get rid of insects
The main insects that can damage cacti are mealybugs and spider mites. The mealybug is a small white insect, and attacks in groups. Spider mites are small red insects with twisted webs in the form of sheets between the spines of the cactus. To get rid of both pests, apply rubbing alcohol directly on the affected area using a cotton swab. You can also use a miticide to get rid of spider mites.
Method 2 of 2: Keeping Plants Healthy in the Long Term
Step 1. Use the right mix of growing media
For most desert cacti, a good growing medium mix consists of 2 parts garden soil, 2 parts coarse sand, and 1 part peat. This mixture has good drainage and does not harden when dry.
Use clay pots as their weight can help prevent large cacti from toppling over. This pot is also useful so that the planting medium can breathe so that the roots do not rot
Step 2. Water the cactus only when the soil is dry
Test the humidity level of the growing media by pressing the top with your finger. If the soil is completely dry, water the plant thoroughly until the water drains out of the hole in the bottom of the pot.
Step 3. Adjust watering according to season
Cacti require different amounts of water depending on whether the plant is growing or dormant. When the plant is in its infancy from March to September, water the cactus on average once a month. When the plant is dormant in October to February, water your cactus at least once a month.
Excessive watering when the plant is in a dormant state is the main cause of complications in cacti
Step 4. Provide sufficient amount of sunlight
Most cacti need a lot of sun. In the dry season, place the cactus outdoors. Start by placing it in a shaded area first, then gradually move it to a lighter area to prevent the plant from getting sunburnt. In the rainy season, place the plant indoors, in an area that gets sunlight.
Step 5. Monitor the temperature in the room
When in a dormant state, cacti like cold temperatures. However, be careful not to expose the plant to excessive cold temperatures (e.g. put it in a place where it is exposed to cold winds outside). A healthy temperature range at night is between 7 to 16 degrees Celsius). A basement or room that is not too hot is an ideal place during this period.
Unless you have a cactus that can tolerate extreme cold, be careful not to set the room temperature to very cold as most cacti cannot survive these temperatures
Step 6. Change the pot according to its growth
A good time to move the cactus to a larger pot is when the plant becomes too heavy, or when the plant is about 3 cm from the edge of the pot. Use a standard planting medium mix made of 2 parts garden soil, 2 parts coarse sand, and 1 part peat.
Replant the cactus to the same depth as when it grew in the old pot
Step 7. Prune the dead roots
Excessive watering usually causes root rot. This occurs when the roots are in the soil that is too wet and does not have good drainage. Before you change the pot, gently remove the soil adhering to the roots after you remove the plant from the old pot. Check the root system, and cut off any roots that are black and mushy, or roots that are dry and appear dead. Cut off the live roots.
Root rot can be avoided by providing holes in the bottom of the pot to drain water. Do not forget to remove excess water that has pooled in the bottom of the pot (saucer)
Step 8. Avoid replanting the cactus directly if the roots are damaged
If the roots of the cactus are damaged when you remove them from the old pot, or if you want to trim dead roots, leave the cactus unplanted in the soil for about 10 days. This gives the cactus time to form a callus around the damaged or cut area. Place the cactus on a sheet of paper, out of the sun, but don't put it in a cold room.
- The best time to transplant a cactus into a new pot (repotting) is when the plant is in its infancy (between March to September).
- Most cacti should be moved to a new pot every one to two years.
Step 9. Use a fertilizer that does not contain too much nitrogen
Fertilizers usually list the amount of content in it, for example the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (usually abbreviated as NPK). An example of a low-nitrogen fertilizer suitable for cacti is 10-30-20 (the number 10 is the nitrogen content in the fertilizer).
- Too much nitrogen makes the cactus have a mushy texture so that growth will be stunted.
- Never fertilize a cactus while the plant is dormant (between October and February).
Step 10. Clean the cactus from dust and dirt
If the skin of the cactus is dirty or dusty, the plant will not be able to carry out photosynthesis properly. Remove this dirt with a cloth or sponge that has been dropped with dish soap. Next, rinse the plant under running water or using a damp sponge.
