Solution for Cactus Rot
The editor introduces the content of the floral clinic regarding cacti, the solution for cactus rot, and will share more information with everyone next.
Cacti are often affected by diseases such as (T-J) disease due to improper watering, leading to rot, which is regrettable especially for high-value cacti like Golden Barrel. So, how can we prevent and treat this?
Generally speaking, if only a small part is rotting, you can use a sharp knife to cut away the rot and some healthy tissue, apply plant ash, and then place it in a dry and shady place to dry (disinfect the knife after each cut). For cacti with a nest-like rot, you should remove the rotting flesh and handle it as follows:
Method 1: Sprinkle a 70% methyl thiophanate-methyl wettable powder or other medications evenly on the rotting area until it's not wet. Mix 2 to 3 grams of 95% fosetyl-Al soluble powder with the topsoil 0.5 to 1 cm thick around the base of the cactus in the pot, then cover with fine soil or sand. If the topsoil in the pot is too dry, sprinkle a little water to moisten the powder. Then place it in a cool and dry place until the skin is dry and there are no signs of disease, then resume normal management.
Method 2: After removing the rotting tissue, sprinkle quicklime to burn the affected area, removing it while sprinkling, repeat two or three times, then place it in a cool, well-ventilated, and dry place until the skin is dry.
If it's summer, you can also take the sun-heated soil or sand and sprinkle it on the affected area until healthy tissue is visible, remove it, repeat two or three times, and finally sprinkle without removing. Then place it in a cool, well-ventilated, and dry place until the skin is dry and there are no signs of disease, then resume normal management.
Method 3: If the cactus has multiple rots or is even hollow, as long as the central pith is healthy, remove it from the pot, try to remove the rotting flesh, then repeatedly wash the affected area with 1% copper sulfate or 0.5% potassium permanganate solution for disinfection, if necessary, soak in the disinfectant solution. Or soak the cactus in a 50% compound methyl thiophanate-methyl wettable powder solution for 2 hours, then place it in a cool, well-ventilated, and dry place until the skin is dry and no longer rotting, then replant.
Notes:
1. Once cactus rot is found, except for severe cases, apply fosetyl-Al powder to disinfect the pot soil according to Method 1.
2. Maintain an ambient temperature of above 15°C, with 25°C to 30°C being the most suitable.
3. Mix a fungicide such as 95% fosetyl-Al soluble powder into the new potting soil for disinfection, and after planting, do not water, place it in a room with a relative humidity of over 60%.
4. For healthy cacti, the temperature in winter should not be below 10°C, and in summer, watering should be done at noon to prevent the cactus from rotting due to waterlogging. You can spray 70% methyl thiophanate-methyl wettable powder 1000 times solution every half month, and apply fosetyl-Al soluble powder 500 times solution once, but in winter, only one or two root applications are needed. Keep the potting soil slightly moist.
The introduction above () is a detailed explanation of the solutions for cactus rot, hoping everyone will like it!