Zedo Posted March 5, 2017 So these cacti have grow so fast the last 6 months. And it's got this on it. Ideas? Pest? Fungal? How do I treat it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evil Genius Posted March 5, 2017 Can you try to gentle scrub it off? Doubt it´s anything pathological. Probably corking or scarring. Some of these could also be related to root formation. If this doesn´t get worse (or can be scrubbed off) it´s nothing I´d worry about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zedo Posted March 5, 2017 I just took a sharp blade to some. It is difficult to take off but once you get under it it seems to come off as on piece and the green flesh underneath looks healthy. I'm just concerned cause their such nice cacti I don't want to get them all diseased. There has been lots of rain humidity lately. I dunno bout root formation, but I was thinking a fungus or something. But yeah I can't scrub it off, I'd damage the cacti more than the weird thing growing on it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MountainGoat Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) I've got the same, I assumed it was scale. It gets worse. My limited experience with it has taken me to using pyrethrum oil that I mix down into a spray. I spray, and keep them out of the sun for at least a few hours, then rinse them with the hose before they get sun. Then I repeat a week later. This appears to kill the bug and allows the cactus to heal under the scale. You can then pick those is off. Dont try to pick them off before spraying or it'll damage the cactus when the spray gets into the cactus. It had also appeared to be climate driven for me too, it's now the monsoon, and we haven't really had one the last four years o I hadn't seen it till now... edit: I definitely can't brush it off, has to be with a finger nail. I'm hoping that Some time after spraying they will just fall off or something. Time will tell... if not, at least after spraying I can pick it off without leaving a leaving a mark on the cactus... Edited March 5, 2017 by MountainGoat Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zedo Posted March 5, 2017 Yeah I did a google. Looks like it's not severe but can get bad. Apparently due to high humidity and too much water (my climate lately). If this is correct it should be a fungi. So I'll try a similar. Anti fungal spray and then remove after a few days/weeks. It's mainly closer to the base so maybe a good dry season might help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Robfitz Posted March 13, 2017 Hi guys, Sorry to hijack the thread but I also have the same question I am new to cacti and bought the below which has some odd growth around the bottom. the top of the plant seems healthy enough though? wondering if I should treat what is growing at the bottom or if it is too far gone? Some of the bases of the spines are a dark black colour which does not look too healthy, others are white as per the photo of the tip Thank you in advance for any help Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zedo Posted March 13, 2017 Looks very similar to mine. Try drying it out. Don't water it for ages. But it won't go, just hopefully not grow anymore. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
