Why Is My Cactus Turning Red

Cactus are tough plants that are used to harsh conditions. Your cactus may, however, start to become red if certain environmental stressors are present.

This is a symptom that something is wrong with your plant, yet it does not necessarily mean it is harmful. The good news is that you can restore your plant’s original color by altering its care and getting rid of the stressor.

When stressed by alterations in the environment, such as too much heat, too much sun, or a lack of water, cacti will turn red. In addition to these, pathogenic infections and root infections can also cause the color of your cactus to change to red.

The treatments offered will assist the plant in returning to its original color because the red signifies that the plant’s natural defense systems are in use.

How are red cacti fixed?

One of the typical issues with Christmas cacti is cultural stress, particularly if the plant is exposed to bright sunlight in the summer or isn’t given enough water. This cactus thrives in partial shade during the hotter months because it is a tropical forest species, but it loves full sunlight in the middle of the year. It should be irrigated if the soil feels dry 1 inch below the surface because it needs a little bit more water than many other cactus species do. Examine the light exposure of an established Christmas cactus if its foliage turns reddish but otherwise seems healthy. If required, reposition it. Similarly, alter the soil’s moisture content and avoid letting it go too long without watering.

Why is the color of my cactus changing?

Some symptoms can indicate major issues that could ultimately cause your plant to die. In case you still have time to save your cactus, make careful to take action as soon as you see any of these symptoms.

Discoloring

Cacti plants typically begin to lose their natural color when under stress or pressure. The discoloration may start at the top end of stem segments or from the plant’s base, depending on where the true problem is.

Death is almost certain if you do not act quickly in cases of severe discolouration.

Your plant become wobbly

If your cactus has started to sway, you should be concerned as this is an obvious indicator of root rot. Remember that since succulents grow slowly, indications of underlying issues manifest gradually as well.

It’s possible that the roots have already become irreparably rotting by the time you notice the symptoms.

The cactus may already be in a serious condition if the base of your plant has turned yellow or brown.

One of the most frequent causes of cactus death is by far root rot. A lack of rigidity and turgidity in the plant’s leaves and stem is a common symptom of root rot.

Take your plant off the ground, find all the rotting roots, and cut them off to try and save it.

Depending on the degree of rot, rotten roots could seem brown or even blackish, whereas healthy roots would be pale in color.

Presence of soft segments around the plant

Most often, stem sections will appear fragile and swollen along with discoloration. These pieces are easily breakable with little effort.

Pulling a spine off is the simplest approach to determine whether there are any soft segments around your plant. You should be concerned if it comes off without any effort and slips off easily.

Fungal infection

Another indication that a cactus plant is dying is a fungus infection. Fungal infections are simple to spot since they cause lacerations in the cactus plant’s tissues. Any area of the exterior tissue, including the areolae, can get lacerated.

There are several various forms and hues of fungi, but there are only two that are widespread.

A fungal infection is indicated by the presence of brown dents on the plant’s exterior tissue that are rounded in most places like half-moons. Another indication of a fungus infection is the formation of white-gray patches.

Despite not being as harmful as root rot, fungus infections on the aerial section of the plant are nevertheless detrimental.

Spraying your plant with a natural fungicide is the best approach to stop future harm caused by such illnesses. To cure such infections, the majority of people prefer using tea tree oil diluted in water.

As an alternative, you could soak the impacted regions in alcohol for until long is necessary. Consider chopping off the afflicted region and sterilizing the wound, but only if the infection was too serious and has already harmed a portion of your plant.

Foul smell coming from your plant

You should be concerned if your cactus plant starts to smell awful because this is a warning indicator. If the plant has a bad scent, it probably can’t be saved because a large portion of it is fully rotting.

In other words, your plant is dead and no longer in the process of dying. If you still need a cactus plant around, your only option in this situation is to get rid of the old one and buy a new one.

How can a red cactus be kept alive?

Yes! If both cacti are still healthy, you may be able to save one of them. Not mushy, still firm, not excessively dark or stained are considered signs of good health.

We will first determine whether your cactus has been overwatered before discussing what may be done to salvage each individual portion of your cactus.

By selecting one of the following, you can move on to the next stage with confidence that you haven’t overwatered your cactus: Rootstock preservation (the green stalk supporting the colorful cactus on top) protecting the Scion (the colorful, spiny top cactus) A Different Way to Save the Scion

Remember that your moon cactus isn’t intended to live for very long, so it’s highly likely that it’s dying (especially if you’ve had it for a while). It might not be related to your care. Perhaps you provided it with the ideal environment!

Has your moon cactus been overwatered?

Your cactus may have been overwatered if more than one of these is accurate:

  • Your rootstock is mushy or becoming brown.
  • The soil is wet and soggy but you did not just water your cactus within the last 24 hours
  • The cactus’s roots are mushy and brown or black when you check them.
  • The cactus’ soil does not drain well.
  • Prior to letting the earth totally dry up, you have been watering.

If you don’t already, it would be a good idea to check the roots for indications of root rot if you have any of these symptoms (brown or black, mushy roots).

If the rootstock of a cactus with root rot is mushy, there is little that can be done to salvage it. You could move on to the part that describes how to graft the scion onto a new rootstock if the scion is sound and firm.

You do have a choice if the rootstock is not mushy but the roots are rotten. You’ll need to: 1. Remove all brown or black, mushy roots; only the white, healthy roots should be retained. 2. After that, replant in loose soil and stop watering your plant for at least a few weeks. 3. After you water, wait until the soil is completely dry before you water again.

Your cactus will be content if you plant it in well-draining soil and make sure to wait until the earth is totally dry before watering it once more. This assumes that the roots are still white and healthy.

Important Information: If your moon cactus isn’t getting enough light to utilize the water you’re giving it, you should offer it more light. Light is very important to cacti.

They will flourish in windows that face either the west or the east. They will be pleased near a south-facing window as well. They won’t get enough light if they’re put more than about a foot from a window, and watering them during periods of low light will be problematic.

To make sure it gets adequate light, I keep mine right on the sill of a west-facing window.

To photosynthesize or produce food, the plant utilizes water and light. The water remains there unused because the plant cannot photosynthesize without enough light. When its roots are left in the stagnant water, they develop root rot, which damages the plant.

Saving the Rootstock

Because it is using all of its efforts to nourish the scion, the rootstock is simply unable to sustain itself. The rootstock will callus over and start to support itself if the scion or ball cactus on top is removed.

Here is how to develop your own cactus from the rootstock alone:

  • Obtain a good, clean knife.
  • Make a clean incision through the Hylocereus undatus cactus below the scion with the knife. You want to get rid of the entire scion. It is acceptable to take some of the rootstock or Hylocereus undatus out as well.
  • Place your happy Hylocereus undatus back in a sunny window after the scion has been removed so that it has time to callous over.
  • Give it some time and just water it when the soil is dry.

Why is my cactus’ top getting pink?

When cactuses don’t get enough water, they can become pink. The life of a cactus won’t often be in danger if it turns pink. For the cactus to get back to normal, you might wish to water it more frequently. A cactus has to be watered once or twice a week on average to stay healthy. When exposed to sunlight, certain cactus species even spontaneously change color to pink.

Why do succulents tan?

Are there several types of stress in succulents—good stress and negative stress? Yes. In general, a healthy plant under stress will retain its original form and characteristics while changing its color. A troubled, stressed-out plant will appear warped, malformed, or merely sickly.

Knowing the type of plant you have will assist you identify any problems it may be having. When subjected to intense heat or direct sunlight, some succulent plants develop scarlet tips on their leaves. The plant produces a crimson pigment (carotenoids) on its leaf to withstand the intense heat and shield itself from sunburn. We can refer to this as “positive stress” because it enhances the beauty and color of the plant rather than harming it.

However, reddish tinges on the leaves and stems of succulent plants may indicate an insect infestation, such as spider mites, which leave red stains on the plant. Additionally, the leaves would be crooked, which would indicate that something was amiss with the plant. We can refer to this as “bad stress” because the plant is genuinely suffering, and you must act quickly to preserve it.

If your plant starts to take on a reddish tint, check to see if this is a natural occurrence or if the plant is being bothered by something else.

Some plants respond well to intense light, scorching heat, and extreme aridity by turning a lovely shade of yellow-orange. This is how the plant defends itself from the harsh environmental circumstances. Because the plant is not in distress and you don’t need to act right away, this is “positive stress.”

On the other hand, excessive watering or soil that is always damp might cause a plant to turn yellow. You’ll see that the leaves have begun to discolor and have also become squishy and mushy. It’s important to address this “bad stress” before it gets worse.

Unlike “bad stress,” “good stress” is not accompanied by symptoms or indicators that the plant is in distress, such as squishy leaves.

Under “positive stress,” several plants, including the Echeveria “black prince” and the Aeonium arboreum “Zwartkop” (Black Rose), change to a lovely hue of dark purple to black. These same plants will lose their lovely coloring and turn green if you pamper them, put them in the shade, and water them frequently.

However, if you notice that some of your succulents are going black from the bottom up and losing their leaves, this is unquestionably a sign of “bad stress.” When a plant rots from the root up, this is when it. The stems decay and the leaves turn black. If you don’t respond quickly, you risk losing the plant.

Knowing your plants well enough to determine if they are experiencing good or bad stress doesn’t take much time. You would eventually be able to distinguish between them.

The one with green foliage is newly potted in new potting soil and kept in the shade.

The third tree, which has crimson leaves, receives little water and has less fertile soil.

As more water and shade are provided, the leaves become lighter and greener, as seen in the second shot.

The most recent was taken following a particularly wet winter. The plant’s darker purplish coloration has been removed, and it has become more green.

How can you spot a dying cactus?

When a cactus looks shriveled and husk-like, it is dead. Additionally, dead cacti can become unstable in their soil and topple over. They could start to smell rancid and becoming mushy, both of which are indicators that they are rotting. Cacti that are dead lose their spines and frequently appear brown.