My christmas cactus has developed a white, for lack of a better term, rash on many of it's joints. Can anyone help me identify what it is and how to treat it? thanks!
Ok, no image! I think its powdery mildew but I could be wrong of course. ZYGOCACTUS TRUNCATUS In nature , these cacti live on trees like certain Orchids. They need Rich Porous soil with plenty of leaf mold and sand. Feed them frequently as often as every 2 weeks during the growth and flowering season , with a well balanced fertilizer. Keep your Christmas Cactus plants in a well lit location away from drafts and heating vents , To ensure bust bud set for late December bloom , Keep the plants where it they will receive cool night temperatures [50 to 55 degrees F] and 12 to 14 hrs of darkness per day until November The leaf or branches are flattened jointed 1 to 2 inches long, sharply toothed , with large teeth at the end of the last joint. Tubular flowers with spreading , pointed petals, will start to flower as early as November and as late as March.
if it's white/fluffy stuff, it's probably mealy bugs. treat with q-tips dipped in rubbing alcohol - touch to the bugs to kill and then use fresh swabs, dipped, to thoroughly clean all surfaces to try to get any eggs. repeat treatment in about 10 days and then in another 10 days if needed. if it's a white discoloration/film, then it might be a fungal infection - which can be treated topically or systemically or it could be the result of improper watering (too little) or it could be it's getting too much/too bright sunlight. do you keep it in the house or is it outside??