My 'soft bodied' Mammilaria went soft and lost its roots. The outer skin was still firm and green but the entire centre had turned to mush. Inside the mush was a dry cavity, lined with white fuzzy fibres. Within this were 4 to 5 black (potato shaped) nodules up to 1cm long by 5mm wide. They were quite firm and dry, but could be broken in half. Inside they were light brown in colour. They reminded me of the 'woody' fruiting body of Bracket fungi on the trunk of a host tree. Obviously the fungus allowed the host cactus live long enough for it to complete its life cycle. The cactus even flowered several weeks earlier. I would be interested in any info, or similar experience from members. Thanks
Unfortunately, I have lost more than a few cacti this way. Every one of the them rotted from the inside out, leaving the outer "shell" intact. By the time, I recognized there was a problem, it was way too late. Cool, wet weather the underlying conditions. Those who never make mistakes, never gain wisdom. Mark
Thanks 4 yr reply Mark, however im sure the problem was not cold and wet. If you have lost many plants this way it is a symptom caused by your climate. It is sub-tropical where I live. That is not to say too much watering at the wrong time can cause problems here too. This fungus, if thats what it is, was most unusual. I'll post any explanation if it comes to hand. Davo
Pls help ID this internal fungus body (kills cacti) Hello fungi lovers! I have a picture of this now!! The outer skin of a mammillaria cactus was firm and green but the entire centre had turned to mush. Inside the mush was a dry cavity, lined with white fuzzy fibres, containing black (potato shaped) nodules up to 1cm long by 5mm wide. They were quite firm and dry, but could be broken in half. Inside they were light brown in colour. They reminded me of the 'woody' fruiting body of Bracket fungi on the trunk of a host tree. The fungus allowed the host cactus to live long enough for the fungus to complete its life cycle. The cactus even flowered several weeks befor its demise. I would be interested in any info on this fungi. Thanks Davo
Re: Strange internal fungus body kills cactus These sound like "succulenticolous" fungal sclerotia. Not an area I know much about. I found a few references online to myxomycete sclerotia in this sort of cactus, but I wouldn't think that a slime mold would have sclerotia that big.
Re: Strange internal fungus body kills cactus hi Frog, i have just posted a pic for ID if u can help pls. davo it is now titled "Pls help ID internal fungus body...
Re: Strange internal fungus body kills cactus hi MycoRob, I have just posted a pic unter new title "Pls help ID internal fungus body..."
Re: Pls help ID this internal fungus body (kills cacti) Sorry for the silence Davo, and thank you for posting the photo! I'm sorry I have no other ideas on this one, I hope someone else might. Was your post originally in the Cacti forum and if so did they have any feedback? frog
Re: Pls help ID this internal fungus body (kills cacti) Hi frog. Yes it was originally in Cacti, but without photo. I will try again with photo. This is new to me so i wasn't sure if my message actually got to you as there was nothing to show who the message had gone to. Thanks for your reply davo
