Help for grafted cactus

Donna
by Donna
I'm hoping this cactus can be saved. The top part used to be round and it seems to be getting smaller and is no longer round. The bottom part is quite flat and thin and you can see the center stem in the light. I water it when it it fully dried out. I can tell the top is shrinking but it’s not mushy.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

  4 answers
  • Shoshana Shoshana on Oct 16, 2017

    I'd make sure that it is located in a lightly shaded area with temperatures that stay above 60 degrees F so that it can best thrive.

  • Karen George Karen George on Oct 16, 2017

    Over time, the tissue between the grafted cacti becomes corky and less viable. Growth of the scion slows or halts, with the scion eventually dying. You can prolong its life by regrafting it. Using a sharp knife sterilized with alcohol, cut the top off a seedling columnar cactus and cut the scion from the old rootstock. Identify the circle of vascular tissue toward the center of the stems of the scion and new rootstock, and press the plants together so the circles partially align. Put rubber bands over the scion and the bottom of the pot the rootstock is growing in, holding them together until the tissues grow together.


    full web page

    https://www.hunker.com/13426560/care-of-grafted-red-cactus

  • Frank G. Schlicht Frank G. Schlicht on Oct 16, 2017

    The roots on the grafting stock are obviously dead from lack of water. The root stock (the triangular green part) is a tropical epiphyte and requires more water than you are providing. The soil should NEVER be let to completely dry out. KEEP IT Damp; but not wet! Set the pot in a pan of room temperature water that comes up to the bottom of the rim and let it soak for 15-20 minutes to saturate the soil. Remove, and let drain for 20-30 minutes. Place ina large zip-lok bag and seal. Set in a window where it will receive indirect sunlight; and patiently wait. If there is any life left in the root stock, it should ultimately produce new roots; causing both it and the grafted portion to plump up. Once it has recovered, be sure to water it once every 7-10 days to maintain nice plump plants. It is the root stack that you have to maintain; NOT the grafted top. Well maintained rootstock will automatically maintain a healthy grafted plant. For proper maintainance of the root stock, look up Hylocereus undatus.

  • Brenda Brenda on Oct 16, 2017

    Mine have done this due to over watering. I would just wait it out to see if it gets better or progresses. I would put in drysunny spot while waiting for verdict :)