How Do I Save My Cactus?

I have had a cactus for a little over a year now. It has parts that stick out with fuzz and a fish hook on the end. It is barrel shaped, not very tall, and is in its own pot. A little while ago, it started to curve, and then the newly grown section fell off. I replanted the top part it in a different pot, but I'm not sure what else I should do, and if it will die. How can I save it? Can I prevent this from happening? Thanks.

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poehere
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts

March 29, 20180 found this helpful

Best Answer

Cactus plants need a lot of sun and not a lot of water. If your plant is starting to drop off it is easy to plant them again. All you basically do is put them in a pot and allow them to root again. Cactus plants can easily root again as long as they have the right conditions to grow and root in. I cut off pieces of my cactus plants all the time and just put them in a pot. I give them a lot of sun and not so much water. If it rains a lot here, I don't water them again for about a week or so.

Judy
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts

March 29, 20180 found this helpful

It sounds like you are overwatering it. Back off the watering and see if the plant does better

cybergrannie
Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks

March 30, 20180 found this helpful

You may be over watering or/and your cactus is not getting enough sunlight.

Look at these things:
Does the pot have plenty of drainage holes?

Do not ever wet the soil until water is running out.
Cactus plants (think desert) must have several hours of light sunshine daily so try to keep it near a window that has filtered sunshine.
Did you repot in the same soil? If so, was the soil wet?
Use only soil recommended for cactus.
It is best to under water than to have wet soil. Cactus can live in very dry soil for a long time especially the "barrel" type. You can just add an ice-cube once in a while.
Here are a couple of suggestions from others:
Water the houseplant once in a month. You can check the time by sticking a wooden stick or pencil in the pot soil, if damp soil is on the stick, do not water the plant.
Direct southern sunlight may burn the plant in the height of the summer, so you should move them back from the window or turn the slats on your blinds to diffuse the light.

Here are a couple of links to sites that have some good care instructions:
www.gardeningknowhow.com/.../barrel-cactus-care.htm
dengarden.com/.../Caring-for-Indoor-Barrel-Cactus

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