Kevin's Watch

A few years ago I found a small cactus in the cactus in the car park at work and because I felt sorry for it took it home and stuck it in a pot. Now Spike is a part of the family, has grown by a factor of four and is about 12 inches tall. He lives in a pot the size of a large beach bucket and I water him once a month with about a cup of water. Recently I changed his pot and during my decorating he has been shunted around a bit and might have been a bit short of light, but he has developed a rotten patch near his tip that tells me his health is not good. I'm pretty stuck with his position now - in he lightest spot in the house - but could do with some advice on watering, feeding if anyone has any experience with cacti.

Not much personally, but one of the guys I work with is a bit of an expert. Since I doubt you know what kind of cactus it is, any chance of a picture?

--A

First things first though, he says cut off the section with the rot immediately.

You're going into summer so he says it should heal over the course of the season, but the rot will kill it fast, so just cut off the tip.

--A

Top man Av! A photo will be tough with my limited skills but if possible I'll get a family member to help. In the meantime as the problem seems to have not​ worsened I'll try pairing out the rot to get back to healthy tissue. Thanks for taking the trouble to find and post that advice; this spikey little chap is quite close to me!

No worries. Will be able to provide more specific suggestions on watering etc. if you can arrange a pic.

--A

Tried to upload a picture Av but it was beyond our combined computer skills to achieve it!
Never mind - Spike seems to be recovering now he is more settled in a new pot. I haven't had the courage to put him to the knife as yet, but will do so if the problem shows any sign of worsening.

No worries. You can always email it to me if you want.

--A

peter wrote:A few years ago I found a small cactus in the cactus in the car park at work and because I felt sorry for it took it home and stuck it in a pot. Now Spike is a part of the family, has grown by a factor of four and is about 12 inches tall. He lives in a pot the size of a large beach bucket and I water him once a month with about a cup of water. Recently get more free spins at sizzling hot deluxe slot I changed his pot and during my decorating he has been shunted around a bit and might have been a bit short of light, but he has developed a rotten patch near his tip that tells me his health is not good. I'm pretty stuck with his position now - in he lightest spot in the house - but could do with some advice on watering, feeding if anyone has any experience with cacti.

I always forget to water my cactus and it's the best way for me to save it

That indeed may be my failing: trouble is when I don't it just looks so.......dry!

It's ok, they're meant to be dry. I had one once where the instruction for watering were a teaspoon of water every 2 weeks.

LuckyGirl, welcome to the Watch...stick around...introduce yourself...tell us what you're doing here.

--A