Question
i've adopted three mini cacti on a rescue mission from an old coworker. i'm worried about two of them. one - while it has grown bigger and doesn't lean on its pot like it did when i first got it - has lost 2 of its "stems" - they turned brown and shriveled - i didn't cut them off. now 2 more stems are browning at the tips like the first 2 did and i worry the same thing will happen. there are 11 "stems" total branching off main stem - including the 2 dead ones. stems are smaller and closer together - growing up rather than out - at the top.

for the other one - it originally had about 20 petals - looks very flower like in the center - coming out in rising rows around the main stem. the edges of the "petals" are purple. since i got it - probably 5 of the petals have shriveled and fallen off - about one/month. i can tell the bigger petals toward bottom don't look as good as smaller ones at the very top - the ones that look most flower like. can tell the others at bottom are just waiting for their time to drop too :(

i don't want the rescue mission to fail if you can help! i love these baby cacti!

thanks!

Answer
Laurel,

Sorry for the delay in my answer, I have been having computer issues lately. Generally speaking, plants die from the ends first if there is root damage or not enough water. You should be watering when ever the soil is dry. It would really help if you could send a picture to my email at: [email protected]

Your description is very good, but a picture would help immensely. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Greg