sillysyban Posted July 11, 2019 Hey All, Can someone tell me what this is and how I treat it? Also if you can ID the cactus that would be extra awesome. Cheers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strontium Dawg Posted July 11, 2019 Looks like two obvious issues: scale and fungal infection, maybe phytopthera. Treat the scale by brushing them off with a toothbrush, you can use a little isopropyl alcohol/water mixture with a drop of detergent if you like too. For the fungal issue, I'd get something like Yates anti rot -its a systemic fungicide using phosphorus acid so it's quite safe. As for the ID, I'd be leaning towards a cuzcoensis but would need a better pic of the base of the central spines. Cuzcoensis has a distinctive flared base of the central spines. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oncewhywechange Posted July 11, 2019 (edited) 18 hours ago, Glaukus said: Looks like two obvious issues: scale and fungal infection, maybe phytopthera. Treat the scale by brushing them off with a toothbrush, you can use a little isopropyl alcohol/water mixture with a drop of detergent if you like too. For the fungal issue, I'd get something like Yates anti rot -its a systemic fungicide using phosphorus acid so it's quite safe. As for the ID, I'd be leaning towards a cuzcoensis but would need a better pic of the base of the central spines. Cuzcoensis has a distinctive flared base of the central spines. scale yes , fungal yes. not phytophthora though. IMO the scale has caused a fungal attack by damaging the skin. Edited July 11, 2019 by motherfirefly 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strontium Dawg Posted July 11, 2019 Motherfirefly knows what's up. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evil Genius Posted July 11, 2019 It's a Scale infection and secondary scarring because of the Scale. Treating the scale with a pesticide should give the plant some time to recover. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sillysyban Posted July 11, 2019 Awesome. Thanks guys. Can you recommend a good product for this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oncewhywechange Posted July 12, 2019 10 hours ago, Evil Genius said: It's a Scale infection and secondary scarring because of the Scale. Treating the scale with a pesticide should give the plant some time to recover. killing the scale will not stop the fungal infection. You need to control both. 1 hour ago, sillysyban said: Awesome. Thanks guys. Can you recommend a good product for this? @Glaukus mentioned a few methods in the above comment. You could also buy yates brand lime sulphur from bunnings. this stuff will kill your scale and will slow down or even kill the fungal infection. repeat in 14 days. this product can only be used in winter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sillysyban Posted July 12, 2019 Thanks heaps guys. I will get on it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites