Alienteaparty Posted April 10, 2013 (edited) Hello peeps I seem to have yet another cacti dilemma. I'v noticed a few white splodges on two of my cacti about a week ago and i thought nothing of it. Now about 5 have these splodges. they occur just under the skin and kind of burn a little hole in the cacti flesh after a while. Its not sunburn because i moved a few of these cacti to a shady spot and they are still developing. iv crossed out scale as well simply because it looks nothing like scale. so i'm clueless as to what this could be. Does anybody have any ideas as to what it could be and how to eliminate it? Thanks again SAB peeps! Edited April 10, 2013 by Alienteaparty Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nemisty Posted April 10, 2013 Its possibly the plant cells only just dying after being sunburnt, prior to being put in the shade? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alienteaparty Posted April 10, 2013 hrrm possibly. But before this happened these cacti were in full sun all of summer and never showed a sign of sun damage until a few weeks ago. Its also happening to a few cacti that are in full shade. I have a feeling it might be a sort of fungal infection, but i'm still not sure. Thanks for the snappy response Nemisty! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qualia Posted April 10, 2013 (edited) well if it is fungus it certainly won't hurt with a dust of sulphur, looks like a few orange spots too on pic2? are they part of the scenario? but, how hot has it been? are they on one side (if yes side facing sun)? both sides? Edited April 10, 2013 by qualia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert&Ernie Posted April 10, 2013 yea i think you are right.... some sort of virus or fungal infection, It almost looks like variegation that is caused by a pest or virus.... but i am no expert Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alienteaparty Posted April 10, 2013 The brownish orange spots aren't a problem, probably just a bit of bruising. These pedros have been in full sun for about 1 year and they have been growing fine. This summer the temps got up to 45 degrees a few days and they lived through it. These spots only started to appear after it became a bit cooler. It might actually be a bug because a few cacti on the other side of my yard have been displaying this as well and the damage that spidermites and aphids cause kinda looks like the chlorophyll has been sucked out from under the surface. Come to think of it I have seen a few aphids on my caapi vine as of recent, but i wouldn't think aphids like cacti? I might give them a dusting with sulfur and see what happens. Thanks for the troubleshooting guys! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert&Ernie Posted April 10, 2013 sulfur will be fine as it shouldn't damage your cacti but if you are thinking of doing anything else maybe wait until one of the more experienced cacti head finds this thread, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
space cadet swami Posted April 10, 2013 (edited) if they start to bleed a bit of black then I'd say sunburn...happened to a couple of mine when we had a couple of slightly hotter days. Afternoon sun. Edited April 11, 2013 by space cadet 101 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trucha Posted April 10, 2013 (edited) You might want to segregate that from your other cacti. It might be nothing to worry about but it could be something like a virus or phytoplasma. When you say they kind of burn a little hole... Could it be there is a small hole there all along and this is an infection being spread by some sort of an insect with a piercing mouth? Edited April 10, 2013 by trucha 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evil Genius Posted April 11, 2013 Agree with Trout. Picture is pretty bad as it has a distorted contrast but it seems to me that there is an infection wound somewhere in the middle. Could even be sunburn. Sun scar leaves a hole and infections get in. Think this might be temporary. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeyMagic Posted April 12, 2013 (edited) Looks like pest attack on the new growth. They are often vectors for secondary infections. High humidity can encourage them. Edited April 12, 2013 by MikeyMagic Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alienteaparty Posted April 15, 2013 Thanks for the responses guys. I still have no idea what it could be. I will try some sulfur, but i am worried because the white spots are spreading. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bert&Ernie Posted April 16, 2013 Are you able to get some better pictures of the white spots? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites