What do I need to do to fix this cactus?
by
Patricia
+9
Is this dead or going thru a process?
The thing about cactus/succulents is that you can over-water them. Let it dry out and see if some life comes back
If the dirt it is in is really wet, I would pop it out and let the roots dry. You may have root rot going beneath the surface.
After pulling the little guy from the soil, snip the very tips of the roots so he has a fresh start. Put him in sand and place in a south window. Don't water. Ignore for a couple of weeks.🙄 Think how often it rains in the desert. Succulents however, most do not like to have the soil dried before rewater. The soil should adhere to your finger when pushed in the soil. Succulent soil should never dry completely out without moisture, unless you are doctoring a plant.
That's my advice 🤷
Also cactus are slow growers
I read recently that you can easily over-love your succulents to death, lol. Remember, they are desert plants and can withstand long periods of drought. Once it recovers, you can use a spray bottle to mist it once a week or give it a tablespoon of water ever 10 days to 2 weeks.
WATER EVEN ONCE A MONTH . THEY LOVE WATER TOO SPRAY IS EVEN BETER AT MAKES HUMIDITY. ALSO GET SOME SAND ON IT HOME DEPOT HAS A FERTELIZE FOR SUCCULENTS .
I think that it is burned by the sun. Do not put it on direct hard sunlight. (Never spray when the sun is shining on it, cause the water drops works as magnifying glass and the hard sun burns it.) I also suggest cactus sand to plant it, but as far as I know the water spray is not good for them. I water my cactuses once a week, and they are beautiful. Save that little guy! Good luck!
I feed my cacti & succulents when I water them. Walmart, Lowes, most anywhere as cactus food. They are worth spoiling!
I second Krisztina's thought that this cactus may have gotten sunburned. I accidentally burned the cactus plant in the photo below when I first got it. The burns turned pale and watery, then scarred over with a tan color. Years later the scarred area is only visible on one side. Even desert plants may prefer shade, so I now make sure this plant gets only a couple of hours of direct sun.