Cactus care

[Judita]

Hi there,

I have what was once a nice healthy green cactus and now it has started progressively becoming yellow from the bottom up. I have watered it regularly in the past (once in 2 weeks).
I also have the tendency to over water and "drown" my plants. It is very hot though here in Rome.

So, how do I save my cactus? Why is it becoming yellow?

I would appreciate some advice on this. Thanks a lot in advance.

Kind regards,
Judita

[gardening_guru]

Hello,

I think this probably is overwatering. Is the whole of the bottom yellow?
If not, could you remove the infected tissue with a sharp, clean knife?
I think it is OK to water every couple of week at this time of year but were you doing that during the winter months? I would hardly water a cactus at all Nov, Dec, Jan and Feb and then slowly increase as the weather warms up. Check the compost, is it free draining with plenty of grit? are the roots of the Cactus sitting in a pool of water; you want to avoid that at all times of year. Whilst watering is important it is also important to get rid of any unwanted water the plant has not soaked up.

[Judita]

Many thanks for the response.

There is no old water in the pot anylonger, but now the yellowness has spread from bottom up the cactus so I guess it is likely to die

Is there anything I can do to save it?? I have stopped watering it. It was exposed to direct sunlight in the afternoons and now I have placed it off direct sunlight.... The temperature is mostly manageable - i.e. air conditioned.

Judita

[gardening_guru]

Hello again,

I think I would site the cactus in full sun. However it does not sound very well and is probably on it's last legs. As long as it is alive keep it in sun and water sparingly, feed maybe every month or six weeks. It might survive.

George.