I'm not quite sure what "type" of Cactus I have, it was handed down to me from my parents who have had it over 25 years. When my Father bought it, it was only a few inches high, he took such good care of it, I would dread to see it die. About 2 weeks ago I noticed my Cactus wasn't looking so good. It is very soft and mushy in quite a few places, a few branches have even drooped over and with a soft touch they peel right off. The "main base" of the Cactus is very dry and feels hollow. I've heard people compare the feel to wood, and that is exactly what it feels like. Did I do something wrong? Is there anything I could do to save this plant?? Any suggestions or advice is GREATLY APPRECIATED! P.s. I forgot to mention that I re-potted this cactus about a week ago, it was starting to loose support and leaning a bit because it is sooo top heavy. Do you think I just made things worse?
It appears to be Euphorbia trigona which by the looks has developed some form of rot in the stem. (Too much water perhaps). The only way to save it is to start over with new pieces. Euphorbia have highly toxic sap and can be caustic or cause skin irritations. I suggest, for safety, wear gloves and don't get any sap near your eyes while working with this plant. Take cuttings of the fresh healthy tops of the plant, place them in a warm, dry place to dry for 2 days or so and then plant into fresh very well drained mix. Don't water them more than once a week through summer, less in winter. Don't let it sit in a dish of water. It will need good light to do well also.
Probably was growing in a warmer and brighter position, with less watering before you got it. Potting medium looks pretty dark, as though rather damp. An example of what is called convergent evolution, this type of euphorbia grows outdoors in full blazing sun in dry tropical areas; it has a succulent, cactus-like plant body in the first place in order to cope with desert or near-desert environmental conditions.
older cacti and euphorbia 'cork' as they age. so, i don't think the discoloration is anything other than that...unless it travels up and out the branches, then it would be an issue like some kind of fungus or mildew - both of which are treatable. when you repotted, did you put it in a larger container or keep the same one and just replace the soil?? you may not have gotten all the soil tamped down, or used enough, and that may be why it's leaning. try shaking the container and picking it up on one side and tapping it (gently) against the floor to settle the soil down...add more soil and do so again and even use your hands to push the soil down around the base. if it does turn out to be some kind of fungus and you treat for it and it doens't resolve the issue, you can take cuttings...watch the sap that will come out when you cut as it can be an irritant - use disposable plastic gloves to protect your skin. let the cut piece sit for about a week or two so the cut will callous over and then plant in the soil and let it sit for another week or two and then give it some water - not too much! and then get the cuttings on a regular schedule (once monthly and then as the weather warms up, every two weeks).
Do the really dark parts feel firm or squishy? To me it looks too dark and black to be corking. If they are squishy then you've got definite problems.
Some of the branches appear to be black, a sign of over-watering/poor drainage. Re-potting should really be done in the warmer months when it's actively growing. I watered mine once during the winter months just to keep it from wrinkling. Could also be a fungus, bacterial problems, or from extreme cold, but I have a feeling the problem stems from water. You can take 7" to 8" or smaller HEALTHY cuttings which will root easily in a small shallow pot, although this isn't the best time of year.
Jennifer, If your photos are current, and I see no window near the Euphorbia... you have placed it in the wrong location of your residence.... the plant should receive ample daylight, remain bone dry for the winter months, and until the growing season... water sparsely. The cutting idea is a prudent option as you could loose the plant to mold/fungus/rot....
