Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I have had this cactus since 2002.I got it as a cutting,it was almost 7 feet tall.It was in its wintering mode when we move.The temperature didn't change,lighting did not change. Yet one week later it started to turn black and then split half way down and dried up. What did I do wrong ? They moving guys said it had a small accident but nothing more.   Thank You Nancy

ANSWER: Are you saying the bottom half developed rot?   Where was it injured in the move?  Rot usually starts long before you see something as dramatic as what you saw happen to your plant.  Even excessive watering months earlier can start it.  Moving such a large cactus is difficult as well.  I don't know where you live so can't speak  to light and temperature. As for what you did, I'm not sure.  I suspect over watering at some point and the move both contributed. If the top of the cactus doesn't have rot you could cut it with a sterilized knife, let it callous and start a new plant.  The cutting would have to be absolutely free of disease, however, so I'd start about 3-4in above the rot. This isn't the best time to start a plant but with good conditions and patience you can root it. Let me know.

Maureen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Maureen,
I live in Ohio. The cactus along with others got watered once a month starting in May,then in September they got half the water they normally got, October they didn't water if there was moisture in the soil.Then in the winter they were given just enough to keep the top of the soil from getting hard.My full spectrum lights were on a timer for 8 hours a day. Temperature is kept at a 63 degrees, humidity was 50-60%.And after October it was subject to dusting only till May when it received its monthly bath.
 The move was only 1 1/2 blocks away. the rot started at the top and went to the bottom.All the others seem fine.I am at a loss as to what happen to it.I couldn't even get a cutting.I am hoping that I can go back to Akron and see if I can get a long lost relative to it and start again.
         Thank You,
         Nancy

Answer
Dear Nancy,

It sounds like you have a great set up and I don't think you should blame yourself. You've had the plant for 6(?) years, after all. Cacti can be unpredictible.You can see rot in one spot that actually started in another.  The only thing I do differently, and Lord knows, I've killed my fair share of plants, is that I totally stop watering in Oct. and put the cacti in an unheated, dry room (I live in MA)till March when I start watering again. Then I put the cacti outside for the summer. I don't use lights, wish I could for my other succulents. If you grow under lights and keep the plant in a room that is a bit warmer with some humidity, the plant never goes into full dormancy so your watering schedule would be somewhat different.  I also don't water on a schedule when they are active, just when they are totally dry, then drench.

There are so many factors that go into the death of these plants and it's heartbreaking. I sometimes thing those of us that live in cold climates are just crazy to even try to maintain these amazing plants. A couple of weeks ago I was looking at my dormant plants and one cactus, while looking absolutely as it always has, collapsed when I touched it.  I suspect it started to rot last summer when we had some early heavy rains, did well all summer and early fall, even flowering, but was still dying.  There was no way for me to tell until it was too late, unless perhaps if I'd taken it out of he pot and looked at the roots last summer.  And....all the cacti around it are fine.  So go figure. They get viruses and bacteria despite our best efforts. If you haven't thrown it out already, look at the roots, slice into the plant and see what it all looks like - what's black, orange, dry, healthy ect. just for future reference.  Absolutely get rid of dead plant, soil - don't compost or reuse anything.  You can sterilize the pot and use that again.

Go out and get yourself a nice cactus or succulent even before you get to Akron.  You deserve it.