Help with my cactus

by Melinda
(Texas)

Hi! I have a cactus that did excellent last year and this year is brown and yellow. The cactus is located in the same spot as last year. I can’t tell the difference between over and under watering. There’s no way it can be over. I only water once every couple of weeks or so and when it rains I pull all my cactus up on the covered porch. I have no clue what to do.

Comments for Help with my cactus

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Aug 22, 2019
 Not sure...
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

I'm not sure what you're referring to. The corky hardening at the base is normal. Older plants will go much harder so as to be able to hold the newer growth up.

Make sure you're using the right soil. Cactus need well drained soil, with lots of gravel or lava rock mixed into it. NOT sand which can compact and prevent drainage.

If you feel that this is the end, before you give up, take some cuttings and start new plants. More on that here;  how to grow cold hardy cacti where you can see how to propagate them.

Sometimes even cacti need a boost. I use compost tea to give them a tiny amount of fertilizer, or simply sprinkle some worm castings on the top of the soil.

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