Healthy Cactus?

[athena_ergane]

Hi, everyone!

This is my first post here. I don't think I'm very good at growing plants.... but that's because most of the plants I've ever grown were when I was young and they all ended up getting eaten by my cats!! D:

Anyway, I have cactus now and I'm a little bit concerned about it. See pics below...

Comments

[squid_ink]

I'm pretty sure that's a baby cactus growing on top

[athena_ergane]

I didn't know cacti could have babies!!!! Babies that are attached to them.... That's pretty cool. I just realized this, but it kind of looks like a spikey snowman.

[low_delta]

It doesn't look like there's much action going on over there, but you could try succulents.

[virginiadear]

When did that brown area develop, before or after you re-potted your cactus? And when you re-potted, did you allow your cactus time to "callous" before putting it into its new home?

[athena_ergane]

The brown area has been there for a few months, definitely before I re-potted it. I'm not sure what it means to let a cactus "callous," so I'm guessing I probably didn't do that.

[virginiadear]

Desert cacti (there are "jungle" cacti, such as those "Christmas cactus," "Thanksgiving cactus" and "Easter cactus" cacti you see for sale, usually at those times of the year; we're not concerned with those) are extremely prone to rotting if they're kept wet, moist, or even damp

[rhodielady_47]

I used to grow cactus back when I was a teenager.
Your cactus looks okay to me.
The older parts of healthy cactus often do turn brown like that. Think of the brown as you would the bark on a tree.
This winter, you need to allow your cactus to spend some time in a cool 50-60F place in your home. Cut back on the water--maybe a tablespoonful or two every week or so (just don't let it dry up completely and die).
Then come this spring, put it in a warm sunny spot and give it a bit of fertilizer and give it more water along. You'll be surprised at how much your cactus will grow after having a proper winter rest!
It might easily double or triple in size.
Hope this information helps.
:)

[athena_ergane]

Thank you! That is really helpful. I'll try it. I've actually never fertilized it before. I'm sure it would appreciate some plant food. :)

[rhodielady_47]

Cactus will grow a lot during a summer growth spurt. Best of luck with him.
:)