When you find your cactus in a desperate state and almost dying, there are still some steps you can take to save its life.
You need to remove all the rotting parts on the cactus, check the roots, change the soil or pot if needed, let the cactus dry up if overwatered, water it if underwatered, make sure it gets the light that it needs, and make sure it is placed or planted somewhere with the appropriate temperature.
Keep reading to learn more about how to save your dying cactus.
How do you save a dying cactus?
The first thing to do when trying to save a dying cactus is to identify what exactly is killing the cactus in the first place. If you are able to identify the problem, it will be easier to remedy it.
Check the roots
Root rot is one of the most common afflictions in cacti. The first symptoms you will see in a cactus with root rot are shakiness, discoloration, and mushy roots. If the plant itself is turning black or brown, the rot has probably reached the stem.
The root system of a cactus can be constricted by a small pot, because its roots tend to be shallow but widely spread out. When a cactus in a small pot is being overwatered and has compacted roots and poor drainage, this is essentially a recipe for root rot disaster.
It is important to act quickly when you suspect root rot, because you often only have a small window of time to save the plant, especially if it has begun affecting the stem.
First, remove the plant from the pot and shake off the excess soil from the roots. If there are any blackened roots, cut them off with clean scissors and make sure to clean the scissors after each snip. Lay out the roots on a tray lined with a paper towel and let them dry for a couple of days. After the roots have dried up, you can replant the cactus in a pot with a drainage hole, using fresh, sterile cactus soil mix.
Sometimes the root rot has become too extensive and you may not be able to save the cactus, even if you let it air-dry for several days. You may be better off saving some stems and leaves from the top of the plant to propagate.
Make sure you are watering your cactus properly
Even though cacti do not need that much water, that does not mean they cannot be underwatered. Cacti still need water regularly in order to continue growing. They will shrivel and turn brown if they do not get the water they need. If you suspect that your plant is underwatered, just give the soil around the plant a good soak and make sure you water it again before the soil becomes completely dry. Cacti usually only need to be watered once every two weeks.
It is quite easy to accidentally overwater your cactus. If you water it even just two days before you should, this can lead to the effects of overwatering. Another factor that contributes to overwatering is planting the cactus in a container without drainage holes. Drainage holes at the bottom of the pot can help avoid overwatering because the excess water simply flows through the holes at the bottom.
Overwatering is also the main cause of root rot. You can correct overwatering by simply inspecting the soil around the cactus every once in a while. Touch the top inch of the soil to check if it is completely dry, and if it is, water the plant. If the top of the soil is still a bit damp, wait for one or two days and check again. Use cactus soil mix that has sand and perlite to make it quick draining and airy, so that the roots are not soaking in wet soil for too long.
Repot your cactus to a bigger container
Another reason your cactus may be dying is because it is outgrowing its pot. Cactus roots, just like those of any other plant, need space to grow and spread out so the plant can mature properly.
Remove the cactus from the old pot and shake off as much of the soil as you can. Take this time to look at the roots and see if there are any dead or dying roots you may need to remove. Replant the cactus in a pot slightly bigger than the old one, with fresh cactus soil mix. Remember that you do not need to water the cactus immediately after replanting. Give the roots some time to heal from the trauma of being uprooted so they can absorb water properly again. One week should be enough time to wait before watering the replanted cactus.
Change the soil
As mentioned above, you need to use a special cactus soil mix for your cactus. There are cactus soil mixes available commercially, but you can make your own at home. Just mix one part gardening soil, one part sand, and one part perlite into a large container and mix it well. The sand and the perlite will make the soil well-draining so that the cactus’ roots are less likely to get root rot.
Make sure your cactus gets enough light
Different cacti have different light exposure needs. The best way to know how much your specific cactus needs is to do your research. Cacti that love the sun can be planted in the garden or in a pot on the porch or patio. Those that can survive indoors can be placed on a windowsill to get a couple of hours of indirect sunlight. Cacti are some of the easiest plants to take care of, and as long as they are placed in a spot where they are happy with the amount of sun they are getting, they should be completely fine.
Make sure the temperature is optimal
Most cacti come from the deserts and semi-deserts of the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe, and can handle high temperatures of up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. But did you know that there are also some special cacti that can survive cold temperatures?
Again, the best way of knowing what temperature your cactus likes is to do your research. You have to know which of your plants needs to be taken inside the house once the outside temperature drops to freezing.
If you live in a place where the winters are long and barely have any sun, you might need to get your cacti a grow light to supply them with the sunlight that they need to live.
Conclusion
The first thing you need to do when you think your cactus is dying is to figure out what exactly the cactus is dying from.
You need to check the cactus’ roots for root rot and remove any dead roots, change the soil or pot if needed, let the cactus dry up if overwatered, water it if underwatered, make sure it gets the light that it needs, and make sure that the temperature in the cactus’ living area is optimal.
Cacti are notoriously tough and hard to kill. They are low maintenance and easy to care for, and as long as you are able to establish a routine that works, you will find it a breeze to grow them.
Image: istockphoto.com / Sara Edwards