Because plants naturally grow toward the sunlight, your cactus may tilt even if it is planted in full sunlight. This is not a sign of a problem if your plant is otherwise healthy. The leaning of your cactus, however, may indicate that it requires additional sunshine if it was partially in the shade when you planted it. You may also see stems that are brittle, discolored, and appear sickly. If this is the case, be cautious to progressively expose your cactus to greater sunlight to prevent sunburns.
What does a cactus’ leaning mean?
Although cacti are low-maintenance plants that can withstand harsh circumstances, they are nonetheless susceptible to stress. Your succulent may droop or topple over as a clue that anything is amiss. Why does the plant lean, and how can it be fixed?
The tilting and tipping over of a cactus plant is an indication of overwatering, underwatering, pest damage, root rot disease, or an excessively large container. To remedy the succulent’s drooping issue, repot it in a new container with just 2 inches of space on the sides and water it until the top 2 inches of soil are dry.
What causes a cactus to sag?
Excellent and resilient plants, cacti are rarely troubled by numerous problems. However, cactus may also cause you some problems. One of the problems is a cactus that is falling over or drooping. You can discover the causes of your cactus drooping or toppling over in this essay, along with solutions.
Weak roots or being potted in a container that is too big for the plant are a couple of the main causes of a cactus drooping or toppling over. Other causes might include bugs, lack of sunlight, underwatering, and more.
Discoloration
You almost never see cactus with diverse colors since it is a universal truth. On the other hand, when a cactus starts to lose its original color, it’s probably because the plant is under a lot of pressure or stress.
The discoloration won’t appear in a single location; it all depends on where the issue is coming from.
Most often, the top end of the stem segments are where the discoloration first appears. In some, it starts at the plant’s base.
Keep in mind that extreme discolouration is bad for your plant, and if you do not respond quickly (as was discussed earlier), your plant will soon die.
The Plant Begins to Wobble
As you are already aware, the cactus plant has extremely strong roots that extend deep into the ground.
Even when there is a lot of wind, the plant doesn’t sway or move. The moment the plant begins to tremble, you should obviously take notice.
You need to be aware that the cactus often develops slowly. As a result, existing disorders won’t manifest their symptoms right away; they’ll need time to manifest.
There is a significant chance that the roots will have sustained too much damage to be saved by the time you actually notice the plant trembling.
Root rot, which typically happens when a plant receives too much water, is the cause of the plant’s wobbling. You must be aware that root rot is the leading cause of cactus plant demise.
Additionally, the plant will have a severe loss in firmness.
Soft Segments Begin to Appear
Another indication that your plant is dying is the appearance of mushy segments on various cactus components.
If you observe the plant losing its color, you might also want to look for soft spots because discoloration typically occurs along with them.
You should be aware that the parts are likely to be flimsy and will most likely break off when you exert just a little force.
You should attempt to slightly pull it on the spine to test it for yourself. You have a dying cactus on your hands if it feels like it will easily come off in your hands.
If the specialized leaves are simple to remove, the plant is dying and needs to be treated right away.
Instability
Last but not least, if your plant starts to lean, that is one of the telltale symptoms that it is dying. Keep in mind that leaning is different from bending, and you should seek for the latter.
The entire plant would likely be skewed toward one side, which is an obvious sign that the plant needs assistance.
Dying cactus frequently start to tremble in their pots, often giving the impression that the plant is about to tip over.
It starts to tilt to one side as a result of this, among other things. This is another indication that your plant needs proper care and lacks strong roots.
Your cactus could be dying for any number of reasons, but you should know that there is still time to save the plant.
You should be aware that, with a little work, you can actually save a dying cactus because the plant is highly resilient and capable of defending itself. Here are a few practical methods for achieving it.
Can you bend a cactus back into shape?
Restarting will be your only option to get the plant back to straight because you cannot go back and fix it. More light will keep this plant from bending, iann wrote. It will grow straight up in bright light, particularly outdoors in the direct sun. It will typically lean against a window.
How can a floppy cactus be fixed?
It might be challenging to gauge how much water to give a cactus plant. A dehydrated cactus will frequently take on a purple hue and soften. Later, the leaves get wrinkled, and the branches may droop. Cacti that have received too much water will also sag, droop, and possibly get root rot. Your plant will have proper drainage if you place it in cactus potting soil, and frequent watering might help it recover from dehydration. Another solution is to repot a root-bound plant into a bigger container. If your plant has received excessive water, let the soil air out. Just until the top 2 inches of soil have dried up do cactus plants need water, and even then they only need enough to allow some drainage from the pores in the bottom of the container. The cactus will know it has enough moisture if water starts to drain from these holes.
Carefully insert a 6-foot stake into the hole. Once the stake is in place, use a shovel to scoop the soil back into the hole. The stake should be buried about halfway to prevent bending from the weight of the cactus. To hold the cactus straight, pick a stake made of a robust material, such as bamboo or hardwood.
Cut off the tape’s loose ends with a pair of scissors after tying a loose knot in it. Avoid wrapping the cactus with the tape too firmly. If you tie too firmly, you risk damaging the surface and inviting pests and infections.
How are slouching succulents fixed?
It consists of these four simple steps:
- Trim the stem to a length that will fit in your new pot.
- Get rid of any extra leaves beneath the main rosette.
- Dry everything for a couple of days.
- Replant your succulents and cactus in new potting soil.
Step One: Cut
If you have a longer stem to deal with, that will assist it get nicely anchored into your new pot. You may truly cut the stem anywhere and it will start to sprout roots out of the sides and bottom after you replant it. You can just nestle the succulent’s base deep into the earth for replanting, or you can use a stem as short as an inch. To create cuts like these, always use clean, sharp pruning shears. These pruning shears look to be an upgrade of the ones I’ve had for ten years and use every day and adore.
Step Two: Remove Excess Leaves
Remove any leaves that are below that in order to form a wonderful rosette formation, similar to what you presumably had when you initially purchased your succulents. Save those leaves because they may be planted in soil and will each produce a new succulent plant.
Step Three: Dry
Any cuts or cracks you create in a succulent should be left exposed for one to two days. This enables it to sort of scab over and guards against bacterial infections that may happen if the succulent is exposed to any excess moisture. The chances are good that your freshly cut succulents will still dry out without first allowing them to air dry; however, it will take a little longer for the cuts to close up and you run a slight danger of something going wrong. But it’s up to you!
Step Four: Replant
Replanting your succulents into a fresh pot using cactus/succulent potting soil is the last step. This is quite simple. Simply poke a small hole with your finger and put the plant’s stem into the soil. The added benefit is that, while they adjust to their new surroundings, you don’t even need to water them for a week!
How come my cactus is floppy and soft?
Stop watering it first, that is what you need to do. Prior to watering it once more, allow the soil’s surface to dry out.
Additionally, you might want to wait a week or two after ceasing watering before beginning again.
Placing your cactus in an area where it will receive more sun can also help it dry out more quickly.
The plant will evaporate the water more quickly with the aid of sunlight. The cactus can also be placed in an area with good airflow, such as close to a window or door.
It can take some time for your cactus to recover if you have been watering it excessively.
Keep your cactus well watered and patient, and you’ll soon witness it getting back to health.
Root Rot
Your cactus may get root rot if it has been submerged in water for an extended period of time or if the soil is very moist.
The plant will finally succumb to this and become floppy and squishy.
The cactus’s roots will begin to decay when the fungus assaults them, and the plant won’t be able to absorb water or nutrition. The cactus will eventually lose strength and perish as a result of this.
How to Fix It
Take your cactus out of the pot and cut out all of the rotten roots if you suspect it has root rot.
Take great care not to mutilate the sound roots. The cactus can then be replanted in a new pot with fresh dirt.
Keep an eye on it and remove any additional damaged sections because the rot can spread to the remainder of the plant.
It’s critical to clean the scissors or knife you used after removing the rot.
To do this, submerge them in a bleach and water solution. This will lessen the likelihood of the rot spreading to further plants.
Your dying cactus won’t be able to survive, though, if too much of the root system has decayed.
Poor Drainage
The soil of your cactus will grow damp and squishy if it is in a pot with poor drainage. The cactus will become pliable and its roots will decay as a result.
A pot that is excessively small or devoid of drainage holes for the plant may frequently result in poor drainage.
The soil will get damp and squishy because the pot will fill with water and prevent adequate drainage.
Additionally, employing a potting mix that prevents water from draining effectively can contribute to this.
The cactus will turn squishy if the soil is too dense or clumpy as it won’t enable the water to drain.
To ensure that the water can drain effectively, choose potting soil that is light and airy. For this, cactus soil mixture is ideal.
If the pot is too tiny, you can also create a drainage layer by packing rocks or gravel into the bottom of the pot.
Less watering is required if your cactus is in a pot with poor drainage. Prior to watering it once more, allow the soil’s surface to dry out.
Instead of watering the cactus from the bottom, you can also water it from the top. This will assist in draining any extra water that may be present in the pot.
Additionally, you must relocate it to a location with more sun. The plant will evaporate the water more quickly with the aid of sunlight.
Humidity
Because they are not accustomed to extreme humidity, cacti can grow limp and floppy.
They require a dry environment in order to thrive, and a high humidity level can harm them.
The cactus may get fungal illnesses due to high humidity, which will make the plant floppy and squishy.
You should relocate your cactus to an area with lower humidity if it is currently in a humid climate.
You should water your cactus less frequently if it is in a humid area. Prior to watering it once more, allow the soil’s surface to dry out.
Instead of watering the cactus from the bottom, you can also water it from the top.
However, be careful not to lay it directly in the sun as this could harm the cactus.
Fungal and Bacterial Diseases
Your cactus may have a fungal illness or bacterial disease if it is spongy and has dark soft areas.
The fungus or bacteria that generate black spots on cactus plants will eventually kill the plant by spreading to other sections of the cactus.
Cactus fungus may develop as a result of excessive irrigation, high humidity, or inadequate air circulation. A dirty pot, contaminated soil, or the use of unclean water can all result in the growth of bacteria.
You must use a fungicide or bactericide to treat your cactus if it has a fungal or bacterial condition. Another option is to use an organic fungicide, such neem oil.
You must get rid of any dead or rotting plant components if your cactus has a fungal or bacterial problem. This will aid in halting the spread of the infection.
The dirt and pot need to be cleaned as well. After boiling the soil for 15 minutes to disinfect it, wash the pot with hot water with soap.
By keeping the plant’s container and soil clean, providing it with the proper amount of water, and relocating it to an area with more sunlight and lower humidity, you can try to avoid fungus and bacteria from infecting your cactus.
By following these instructions, you can keep your cactus healthy and stop it from wilting.
Untreated Injuries
Your cactus may have been hurt if it is soft and lacks any black patches.
Falling off the pot, being struck by a hard object, or taking too much sun can all result in injuries.
Insect pests like mealybugs or scale insects can also harm cacti.
Without medical attention, wounds may spread an infection, which will cause the cactus to decay.
Additionally, wounds can make the cactus weak and prevent it from absorbing soil nutrients and water.
If it is infected, you can treat it with a fungicide or bactericide. Another option is to use an organic fungicide, such neem oil.
The injury might only need to be cleaned with mild soap and water if it is not infected.
To remove the damaged portion of the plant, you can use a sharp knife or pair of scissors. Before using the knife or scissors again, make careful to clean them.
Additionally, you must relocate it to an area with higher sun exposure and lower humidity.
The plant will evaporate the water more quickly with the aid of sunlight. However, be careful not to lay it directly in the sun as this could harm the cactus.
Insect Damage
A cactus may also grow soft due to insects like mealybugs or scale insects.
These bugs produce honeydew, a sticky substance that they exude after feeding on the plant’s sap.
Ants and other insects will be drawn to this substance, further harming the plant.
The cactus may weaken as a result of a pest infestation since it won’t be able to take up water or nutrients from the soil.
You have a choice between using a chemical pesticide or an organic pesticide like neem oil.
When using a chemical pesticide, be sure to take precautions and adhere to the label’s instructions.
The insects can also possibly be eliminated manually. Use a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol to get rid of the pests if you have a little cactus.
It will be more challenging to manually remove the insects off a huge cactus. Either use an insecticide soap spray or try blasting them off the plant with a hose.
You must properly care for your cactus after the insects are gone in order to aid in its recovery. Trim away any cactus plant parts that are broken or dead.
When necessary, water the cactus and offer well-draining soil. To aid in the cactus’ recovery, you can also fertilize it.
If a pest infestation was the root of the issue, you must keep an eye out for new infestations on the plant.