Hi Everyone! I've had this coral cactus for about six months and I've kept it on my office desk near the window for the entire time I've had it. It has always been healthy until this past week - It has started to turn black and wilt at the base. I'm not sure if I've over or under watered the plant. I thoroughly water the plant once a week. Thoroughly being until I see water drips in the collection pan the little potted plant is sitting in. This watering schedule has always worked well for the plant up until now. Is it possible that it is not getting enough sunlight? It gets indirect sunlight from the window but since the daylight savings time switch it doesn't get direct afternoon sunlight anymore. The temperature of the office is always about 70 degrees year round. Please let me know if you know of anything to help this plant out. I'm pretty attached to it. Thank you so much! Danielle
I am an amateur at this, and I am not really into cactus. I do have succulents though, and they are similar. I usually water every 2 to 4 weeks in the growing season. No more than once every three weeks in the winter. Some cactus can take considerably less. I water them by placing them in water for about half an hour and they will take up what they need. I don't know if it is true, but I have read that they like to be watered from the bottom. Something else that helps me; if you can touch it, gently test how firm the plant is. If it feels soft or deflated water it. If it feels firm, don't. Also, other than looking pretty, those glued rocks cannot be good for any plant. I would remove them, inspect the soil and replace if necessary with a cactus soil mix. If you like the look of the rocks then add your own, without the glue. Hope this helps!
Thank you for your response! I'll try watering less and from the bottom. I don't like the glued rocks either but the plant was given to me as a gift and came in the planter that way. I've been wanting to remove them but can't think how to do it without damaging the plant. The rocks are tiny and feel like they are held together with a layer of super glue or epoxy... not something that can easily be pulled off/apart. I might be able to cut open the plastic container and try prying it off that way... but again I'm worried about damaging the plant especially now that the base is wilted. Any suggestions on how to do this?
I would just be careful whatever you choose to do. I think you should be able to pry them off with a screwdriver or a knife, probably a little by little kind of job. I can only say that I think your cactus would be happier! Well, good luck and hope everything works out alright.
