Mushy Stem Syndrome in Cactus: Causes and Care
Cactus are extremely resistant and low-maintenance plants. If you want to have some plants in your home which don’t need high maintenance then you can definitely choose cactus for your home. Naturally, all the plant groups have some common problems which are generally very easy to solve. Most of these problems were created by fungi, bacteria, and pests which usually make your plant rot. One of the most common problems with mushy stems in cactus.
Sources Of Mushy Stem In Cactus:
Overwatering
Cactus don’t need a lot of water like other plants. So if you are putting a lot of water in your cactus then the stem gets waterlogged which results in the breaking down of the cell wall and causes the mushyness and softness in the stem tissue.
Fungal Infection
Phytophthora and Pythium can cause fungal infection in cactus which results in infecting the whole cactus and spreading from root to stem which makes your cactus look mushy and soft
Bacterial Infection
The most known bacteria are Pseudomonas and Erwinia which generally infect the stem which makes your cactus soft and mushy.
Viral Infections
Viral infections also cause softness and mushyness in the cactus. Viruses like the tobacco mosaic virus infect and decay your cactus.
Nutrient Deficiency
Major nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and calcium are very much essential for your cactus. So, if your cactus is mushy and soft then it can also be caused by a lack of nutrients.
Physical Damage
If your cactus gets an injury in its stem such as bruising or cutting then it makes an entry point for bacteria and fungal infections which make the cactus stem soft.
Environmental Stress
Immoderate temperatures, high humidity, or lightning can make your cactus stressed. Also if your cactus doesn’t have the proper air circulation around it then it also results in mushyness.
Symptoms Of Mushy Stem
Softness In Stem
In this case, the stem becomes soft and mushy to the touch. It loses all its tightness and hardness and becomes soft and spongy to the touch.
Discoloration
The color of the infected area changed to yellow, brown, and black as per its severity. You can notice some spots on the stem that look mushy and soft to the touch.
Wrinkling In Stem
The skin of the stem in the cactus may appear to be shrinking or wrinkling. The stem may lose all its plumpiness and hardness.
Spines Loss
In this case, the spine of the cactus becomes loose or falls off which results in showing off the underlying tissue. Spine loss in cactus can attract further infection and damage.
Bad Smell
The affected or infected area may cause a bad, sour smell which shows the presence of bacterial and fungal infections.
Conclusion
Mushy stem syndrome, which is marked by the softness and deterioration of the stem, is a common and sometimes deadly problem affecting cactus. The plant can only be saved if the illness is stopped from spreading and treatment is initiated quickly.
FAQs
My cactus stem is soft; why is that?
Ans. Monitoring your cactus for signs of mushiness browning or blackening is crucial. These indicate a case of overwatering. It is likely that the roots have already begun to decay and die. Never overwater, that’s all.
Can a cactus that is mushy be saved?
In order to replant in new potting material, you should thoroughly wash the roots out. By taking cuttings and allowing them to root into a new plant, it is also possible to salvage a mushy, squishy cactus. Before you place it in the sand, let the cutting callus over for a few days. It could take a few weeks to root the cutting.
My cactus is getting soft; why?
It could be wilting from extreme dryness or a frantic need for water, to name two plausible explanations. On the other hand, because it was overwatered, the surplus water is now decaying. More than likely, overwatering caused the cactus to become mushy and decay, which is why it has started to become softer.
