Their prickly coat does not protect cacti from disease. Even with loving care, the exotic pieces of jewelry can be affected by various diseases. We have put together the most common problems with tips for treatment here for you.
What diseases are common in cacti and how to treat them?
Cactus diseases are often fungal infections such as focal spot, fusarium wilt and root and stem rot, which are identified by sunken brown spots, discolored shoot tips, red spore coating and rotten roots. Treatments include removing affected areas, dusting with charcoal powder or chinosol solution, and repotting.
Fungal infections are cactus killer 1
Fungal infections are widespread in the plant kingdom and do not spare cacti. In the early stages of the infestation, there is still a chance of saving the affected cactus or stopping it from spreading further. The following overview lists the 3 most common diseases and gives tips on how to act correctly:
Focal spot disease (Gloeosporium)
- Symptoms: round, sunken, brown spots with a hard, barky structure
- Treatment: Cut out damaged areas, dust with charcoal powder, spray with Saprol fungus-free (€11.00 on Amazon)
- Tip: also treat all neighboring cacti
Fusarium wilt (Fusarium verticillioides and others)
- Symptoms: brown discolored shoot tips, red to purple spore coating on the tissue, signs of wilting
- Treatment: Isolate cactus, repot, spray roots and body with chinosol solution
- Tip: Disinfect substrate before using in the oven
Root and stem rot (Phytophtora)
- Symptoms: soggy, brown discolored bodies from the base, rotten roots
- Treatment: cut off the he althy part and let it root as a head cutting in dry, mineral substrate
- Tip: dry wintering and moderate watering in summer effectively prevents wet rot pathogens
Viral diseases leave only one option open
Growth depression, such as dwarfism or monstrous, unnatural sprouting, indicates a viral infection. Such diseases are caused by insect bites or unclean cutting tools. Cure methods are not yet known. We recommend quarantining the cactus at the first suspicion. If the suspicion is confirmed, the plant will be disposed of with household waste.
As an effective prevention, we recommend meticulously disinfecting every cutting tool with spirit or alcohol before use. To be on the safe side, wipe the blade with an alcohol-soaked cloth after each cut.
Tip
If cacti suffer from sunburn, many hobby gardeners mistakenly assume it is an illness. As a rule, immediately after clearing out onto the balcony, yellow and brownish spots appear on the epidermis. The cause is the sudden confrontation of the plants with direct sunlight. Acclimatization for 8 to 10 days in a partially shaded location prevents this damage.
