What do spots on cacti say: causes of problems and ways to solve them
Although cacti are considered unpretentious plants, they can also get sick and often even die if help is not provided in time. One of the most common problems is the appearance of various spots on cacti. In most cases, they arise as a result of improper care, but there are also more dangerous causes such as pests and diseases.
The color and shape of the spot will help to establish a "diagnosis" and begin effective treatment. Most often on cacti such traces appear:
- white spots in the form of a solid bloom;
- yellow-brown spots completely covering the lower part of the succulent;
- blurry yellowish spots all over the plant or on one side of it;
- rusty spots;
- wet dark spots;
- dry, yellowish, turning into each other, spots.
Mealybug
If the body of the cactus is first covered with small white spotsand then almost solid white bloom - the succulent attacked the mealybug. It sucks out the juices, the stems stop growing, “lose weight” and discolor.
To get rid of the pest, you should spray the cactus with Aktara's solution (for 2.5 liters of water, 2 g of the drug), and prepare a weaker solution for watering (0.25 g for the same amount of water). Carry out such treatment 4 times, taking a break for 7 days.
"Aging" or age-related changes in the flower
Beautiful, green and juicy, the cactus usually stands in a pot up to 4 years of age. Then at the bottom of the stem begin to appear yellow spots, which gradually capture the entire trunk and become brownish... In addition, the surface of the body in this place coarsens and becomes covered with a continuous corky bloom.
If such a plaque is dry and without additional ulcers, there is nothing to worry about, the flower has simply grown old and, alas, it cannot be returned to its youth with its former appearance. But the appearance of soft areas indicates another problem - decay.
Tanning result
Yellowish spot a blurred shape appears on a cactus after the pot has been moved from partial shade to a bright windowsill. These are traces from the "sun kiss", and they appear in those places that the rays touched. To rehabilitate a succulent, it must be returned back or shaded, and sprayed regularly.
Spider mites are a dangerous enemy
If the plant is visible brown spots with a rusty tinge - need to find spider mite... In the case when the beginning of its attack is missed, and the pest has managed to settle down, it is not even necessary to look for it: the presence of an insect will be confirmed by a cobweb between the thorns. Spraying and watering with fungicides (Actellik, Fufanon) is effective against mites.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to remove ugly spots - the tick will die, but they will remain on the flower forever.
Cactus Killer - Wet Rot
Wet brown or black spots on the body of a succulent signal that it is dying from stem rot. The patient can only be saved by "amputation" of damaged areas to living tissue. Be sure to process the sections and let the plant dry out.
Naturally, after "circumcision" the wound will no longer heal and the cactus will remain ugly, especially if the affected area is decent.In this case, it is better to root healthy side shoots.
Dry rot - kills from the inside
Dry, pale yellow, almost invisible, spots, accompanied by the loss of turgor and drying of the cactus inside the stem - this is also rot, but already dry. It is almost impossible to save a flower from it, but preventive spraying with fungicides will help prevent the disease.
This is just a short selection of the problems associated with the appearance of various spots on cacti. Most of these can be avoided by taking proper care of your succulents.