Content
- Common Cactus Diseases - Tips for Symptoms and Control
- Fungal infections are cactus killers # 1
- Virus diseases leave only one option open
- Tips
Cacti can also get sick
Common Cactus Diseases - Tips for Symptoms and Control
Her spiked dress does not protect cacti from disease. Even with loving care, the exotic jewelry can be infested by various diseases. We have compiled the most common problems with treatment tips here.
Fungal infections are cactus killers # 1
Fungal infections are widespread in the plant kingdom and do not spare cacti. In the early infestation stage, there are still prospects of saving the affected cactus or preventing its further spread. The following overview lists the 3 most common diseases and gives tips for the right course of action:
Burning disease (Gloeosporium)
Fusarium wilt (Fusarium verticillioides and others)
Root and stalk rot (Phytophthora)
Virus diseases leave only one option open
Growth depressions, such as dwarfism or monstrous, unnatural sprouts, indicate a viral infection. Such diseases are caused by insect bites or unclean cutting tools. Healing methods are not known yet. We recommend quarantining the cactus at first suspicion. If the assumption is confirmed, the plant is disposed of with household waste.
As an effective preventive measure, we recommend thoroughly disinfecting each cutting tool with alcohol or alcohol before use. You play it safe by wiping the blade with an alcohol-soaked cloth after each cut.
Tips
If cacti suffer a sunburn, many hobby gardeners mistakenly type in a disease. As a rule, yellowish and brownish spots appear on the epidermis immediately after clearing the balcony. The cause is the sudden confrontation of the plants with direct sunlight. An 8 to 10-day acclimatization at the half-shaded location prevents this damage.