Cactus is native to America, and common species include Opuntia, Parodia, Rhipsalis, Tephrocactus, etc. Because of its survival in the extremely dry desert environment and its unique appearance, it is popular. More and more people are beginning to use cacti to embellish their own space.

In the process of caring for cacti, we often encounter the problem of cacti becoming soft. So why do cacti become soft and shriveled? How to make cacti thrive? How to properly care for cacti? Read the blog below to find answers to your questions.

Reasons why cacti become soft

a. Overwatered Cactus

If your cactus starts to soften from the bottom, the mushy is yellow or brown, and the soil of the cactus is wet, then it is likely that too much water has caused the cactus to soften. In severe cases, the base or inside of the cactus plant will turn brown or black. In addition, the cactus will also form a scab.

Not only will this problem occur if the cactus is overwatered, but if the cactus is in a humid and closed environment for a long time, if the flower pot and soil have poor drainage, or if the cactus is exposed to stormy weather, this problem will also occur.

How to deal with overwatering Cactus:

1) First, you need to check the roots of the cactus because it is very likely that the roots of the cactus have rotted due to excessive water.

2) If the roots and bottom of the cactus are rotten, you need to use a clean knife to remove all the affected parts. If the roots of the cactus are not rotten, then you can place the cactus in a ventilated and cool environment to let the wet roots dry.

3) After the wound has dried, you can plant the cactus in a planter pot with drainage holes and well-drained mixed soil for succulents and cacti. Keep the cactus in a ventilated environment for subsequent maintenance.

4) Make sure the soil is completely dry before watering the cactus. In addition, it is recommended that the cactus pot be watered from the top instead of the bottom.

5) After watering, clean up the accumulated water in the tray in time. In stormy weather, pay special attention to providing rain shelter for the cactus.

b. Pest Infested Cactus

If the cactus is invaded by pests, it will also affect its health and cause it to become soft. Common pests of cactus are mealybugs or scale insects. Generally, you will see cotton-like insects in the cactus or soil. For sure,Cactus are pests.

How to deal with pests on cactus?

1) First, isolate the cactus infected with pests from other plants to prevent cross-infection between succulent plants.

2) Then, carefully check the roots, soil, and stems of the cactus to confirm the extent of the damage to the cactus. A magnifying glass can help you better observe the insects on the cactus.

3.1) If only a small part of the cactus is damaged and the problem is not serious, you can first clean the part of the cactus with pests with a cotton swab with alcohol and then apply diluted soapy water or neem oil on the cactus to prevent it from being damaged again. Check the source of the pests in time.

4) After cleaning, wipe the cactus with alcohol to remove the remaining pests. It is recommended that the cactus be sprayed with a suitable insecticide. Recommended insecticides include Cyclamen, Imidacloprid, etc.

5) Then, place the cactus in a cool and ventilated environment to wait for the wound to heal. This process takes about 5-6 days. If the wound is larger, it will take longer to dry.

6) After the wound is dried, replant the cactus in a well-drained pot and soil. Keep the soil and air dry and circulate during the subsequent maintenance. You can use neem oil to wipe the cactus regularly to prevent pests.

You may wonder: How to use neem oil as an organic insecticide?

c. cactus lacking water

If your cactus looks wrinkled, shriveled, and broken, grows slowly over the years, and the soil of the cactus is often very dry, then it is very likely that your succulent is lacking water.

The Lack of water in the cactus is likely due to

1. insufficient watering

2. very infrequent watering

3. the soil is too well drained, causing the succulent to dry out before drinking water.

How do we deal with the Lack of water in the cactus?

First, you need to determine what causes the Lack of water in the cactus.

1) If it is due to the frequency and amount of watering, then you need to re-plan the watering frequency of the cactus. You can use a wooden stick to insert into the soil of the cactus. If the potting soil is dry, it means that the cactus needs water. Then, water the cactus and make sure that the water is left from the bottom.

The dormant period of the cactus is autumn and winter, and the growing period is spring and summer. The demand for water for the cactus will decrease during the dormant period and increase during the growing period. You can increase the frequency of watering appropriately depending on whether the soil is dry.

2) If the Cactus is lacking water due to insufficient water retention in the soil, then you need to replace the soil with a mixed soil suitable for succulents and cacti or add organic soil addition to the original soil to increase water retention.

d. Physically damaged cactus

If your cactus is hit or damaged, this may cause a single area of the cactus to soften and begin to rot. Generally, it will appear in a spot-like shape.

This spot is irreversible and must be treated promptly because it will spread to the entire cactus.

How to deal with a cactus after it is hit?

1) First, you must use appropriate tools to remove the damaged area that has begun to soften and rot. Then, wipe the wound with alcohol and place it in a ventilated, cool environment to wait for the wound to heal. Then, gradually resume regular maintenance.

e. Frostbitten cactus

Although cacti have a good ability to adapt to high temperatures, low temperatures are likely to harm them. If your cactus has experienced abnormal cold, it will likely soften, turn white, turn black, rot, or even fall off the damaged parts.

How do we deal with cacti that are harmed by extremely low temperatures?

1) First, transplant the cactus to an environment with a suitable temperature.

2) Do not immediately clean the cactus, as the cactus has a certain self-healing ability. You need to observe it for a period of time first. If the cactus turns black, it means that it is time to clean it.

3) As mentioned above, use a sharp knife to remove the blackened parts of the cactus due to frostbite, then dry the wound and plant it in a pot and soil with good drainage. In addition, it is necessary to avoid frostbite again during subsequent maintenance and keep it indoors at extremely low temperatures.

Conclusion

The reasons why cacti become soft include Lack of water and overwater, physical damage, or frostbite. Cacti are powerful plants. If your cactus has problems, please don't worry; it will probably recover. You may also lose a few plants on the road to a green thumb. If you have more questions or experiences about cactus care, please let us know in the comments section below.