Cactus help!! - Ask Extension
Hello! I've had my cactus since he was a baby. He got really big. Two winters ago, my mother would no longer let me bring him in the house. My dad p...
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Cactus help!! #287335
Asked October 27, 2015, 3:38 PM EDT
Hello! I've had my cactus since he was a baby. He got really big. Two winters ago, my mother would no longer let me bring him in the house. My dad put some kind of tarp and left space to where the water/snow got in. I hadn't realized it till spring when I went to take the tarp off. He was moldy and mostly rotten. I cried over my cactus! Anyways, I took off four leaves that looked like they could be saved, and I replanted them. They were doing good, but now I think I may be losing the battle again. Kinda think my mom was watering them this summer :(. A big part of me wants to get new pots and soil to see if that would help, but I'm not sure. I will attach some pics but please keep in mind the pics make them look better than they are. Anything I can do to save hims?! :(
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Thanks for your question. The quick answer to your question is: Yes, you can save your cactus. The cactus is an opuntia; its common name is prickly pear.
From your photos, it appears you have saved 3 large "pads". One has a new pad growing from it. All appear healthy in that they are green and fleshy. The irregular brown spots show where previously attached pads have been removed or fell away. The pad then generated a scab to protect itself from further decay. In the future, if you want to propagate more prickly pear, it would be better to use a sharp knife to make a clean cut, so the brown spots are not so noticeable.
If you want your prickly pear to grow and thrive, you will need to make sure it gets the care it needs year round. Especially important are soil, sun, and water. Use a fast draining soil, give it at least 6 hours of direct sun a day, and water only when the soil is dry. Don't over-water.
What should you do now? Your starts are probably fine for this winter if they get a sunny location. They don't need to be protected from the cold unless it freezes. A sunny window in a garage or a sunny porch would be perfect. Water once a month unless the pads get thin showing they need more frequent watering.
If you want to get a different pot, maybe use something that is wider and less deep. Opuntia roots grow more horizontally than vertically. You could pot all the pads together in one pot. You may want to consider separating the one new pad from its host plant and potting it with the others.
Next spring, consider planting these starts outdoors in a space that meets their special needs for soil, sun and water. They can produce spectacular blooms and fruit.
Here are some additional resources to help you proceed.
Arizona's Extension Service has produced a guideline on how to propagate cactus. http://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1483.pdf
Encouragement is offered on this web site called: "Danger Garden: Yes you can grow cactus in Portland" http://www.thedangergarden.com/2012/07/yes-you-can-grow-cactus-in-portland-and.html
Also, attached is a reference on native cactus in the Northwest http://www.angelfire.com/bc/eucalyptus/desertnorthwest/articles/native_cacti.html
Good luck in saving your opuntia.
From your photos, it appears you have saved 3 large "pads". One has a new pad growing from it. All appear healthy in that they are green and fleshy. The irregular brown spots show where previously attached pads have been removed or fell away. The pad then generated a scab to protect itself from further decay. In the future, if you want to propagate more prickly pear, it would be better to use a sharp knife to make a clean cut, so the brown spots are not so noticeable.
If you want your prickly pear to grow and thrive, you will need to make sure it gets the care it needs year round. Especially important are soil, sun, and water. Use a fast draining soil, give it at least 6 hours of direct sun a day, and water only when the soil is dry. Don't over-water.
What should you do now? Your starts are probably fine for this winter if they get a sunny location. They don't need to be protected from the cold unless it freezes. A sunny window in a garage or a sunny porch would be perfect. Water once a month unless the pads get thin showing they need more frequent watering.
If you want to get a different pot, maybe use something that is wider and less deep. Opuntia roots grow more horizontally than vertically. You could pot all the pads together in one pot. You may want to consider separating the one new pad from its host plant and potting it with the others.
Next spring, consider planting these starts outdoors in a space that meets their special needs for soil, sun and water. They can produce spectacular blooms and fruit.
Here are some additional resources to help you proceed.
Arizona's Extension Service has produced a guideline on how to propagate cactus. http://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1483.pdf
Encouragement is offered on this web site called: "Danger Garden: Yes you can grow cactus in Portland" http://www.thedangergarden.com/2012/07/yes-you-can-grow-cactus-in-portland-and.html
Also, attached is a reference on native cactus in the Northwest http://www.angelfire.com/bc/eucalyptus/desertnorthwest/articles/native_cacti.html
Good luck in saving your opuntia.
