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San Pedro Cactus Strange White Growth
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Posted by jmsider FL (My Page) on Tue, Jun 2, 09 at 13:45
| Hey Guys,
Just wondering if anyone could aide me in determining what type of pest is infesting my cactus and ways to cure/treat the ailment.
Here are the photos much appreciated everyone.
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: San Pedro Cactus Strange White Growth
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| I'd guess either spider mites or freeze damage. Others can fill you in on how to get rid of mites -- I haven't dealt with them much. |
RE: San Pedro Cactus Strange White Growth
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| I get the same thing on several of my plants in Tampa. Not sure what it is but am guessing it has to do with the amount of Humidity and water they are exposed too. When I cut down on waterings and make sure they don't get rained on but get more direct sun, it stops spreading. |
RE: San Pedro Cactus Strange White Growth
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| Sorry guys but I am going to rebump my post with updated pictures. I have moved my cactus into a pot, as before it was directly in the ground. Managed to survive a few Florida hurricanes and floods... But anyways reducing the amount of water it received and increasing its sunlight exposure has not yet fixed the problem. As you an see where the ailment is the cactus is actually curving or less full. Any ideas of ways to cure or relieve this pathology?
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RE: San Pedro Cactus Strange White Growth
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| Yes, water it less and acclimate it to full sun more slowly. That looks like sunburn damage. |
RE: San Pedro Cactus Strange White Growth
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| Kind of looks it got water on it and then sunburned where the water was. |
RE: San Pedro Cactus Strange White Growth
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| Wally, You might be interested to know that that's a botanical myth. |
RE: San Pedro Cactus Strange White Growth
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| How would you recommend acclimating it to sun? Also what is a good watering schedule? Right now it just sits outside getting full Florida sun. As far as water it usually gets the occasional sun shower, or 20 minute downpour. So it is watered usually every 3-4 days... I guess I'll start having to move 'er inside every time we get a strong rain. As far as the sun exposure I flipped the cacti around so the sun damaged side is in the shade. J |
RE: San Pedro Cactus Strange White Growth
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| You won't have to do that if you have porous soil. In fact, if you prepare the bed well enough (a raised bed is best) you could put it in the ground, where it would grow fabulously. No, the plant is looking fine now - it's the previous sunburn that was the problem. Keep it where it is and it will be fine, but, as I said, it would like the ground the most. |
RE: San Pedro Cactus Strange White Growth
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| Some of my cactus just naturally do that on the bottom, even though they are in the shade. I think on some cactus, it's just normal. |
RE: San Pedro Cactus Strange White Growth
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| Well it doesn't seem to be growing as vigoursly as it once had. Reccommend letting it's root stretches and plant it directly into the ground? I really would like to some day cut the tip off and start a new guy. J |
RE: San Pedro Cactus Strange White Growth
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| Any helpful links or other posts on how to create a good soil mixture/bed. Could I just open the bottom of my pot and place it directly in the ground, or does one usually transplant the whole cactus directly in the ground. I ask because in Florida we have a rocky layer just a few inches to a foot underground. This layer may need to be removed to allow the cactus' roots to spread and penetrate deeper into the soil. Thanks
J |
RE: San Pedro Cactus Strange White Growth
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| I have many San Pedro, some much larger and in much smaller pots so I dont think planting it in the ground is the issue. Suggest you use what we call in the UK John Innes type compost. This has sand and is low in humus content. It drains quickly which is key with cacti. As for the brown scar I suspect others are correct when they say is is sunburn. I have it on some of my plants alos- I think we sometimes overestimates cacti love of sunshine. As for the rock in your garden- these plant typically thrive in denuded soil but by the look of the soil you have used I would suggest repotting with sharp sand mixed in for added drainage. Of course a little cacti fertiliser that is low in nitogen would help. Good luck! As for cutting the tip off and starting again- that way you can avoid the scarring and the base will srout new clean shoot also. Just remember to let the section you cut off scar (callous) for a week or two before you place it in soil- refrain from watering the cutting until roots appear. I could send you a link to my site but understand that it is forbidden on here- there is information on soil mixes there. Good Luck! |
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