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Brisco
Stranger


Registered: 06/14/12
Posts: 120
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
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Cactus Fungi
#22060375 - 08/07/15 08:05 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Hoping someone here can direct me to further information on this problem. I think some kind of fungus started growing on one of my cactus and a bit of it spread to some of my Bridgesii. It looks like little white bumps that will eventually spread over the entire cactus/ see picture. I can't find any info on the net because I don't know what to look up, so I can't properly solve this problem or figure out what I'm doing wrong. We did get a lot of unusual summer rain here in CA so some over watering could be the issue, but it's also been very hot. Just a search term would help, but if you know how to treat this that would be most helpful and appreciated. Thanks community! 
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karode13
Tāne Mahuta




Registered: 05/19/05
Posts: 15,290
Loc: LV-426
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Re: Cactus Fungi [Re: Brisco]
#22060400 - 08/07/15 08:11 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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I think I see some large Scale insects on that plant. Can you scrape any of these things off with a fingernail?
Otherwise I'm thinking a severe fungal or bacterial infection. Which, if this is the case, you'd bag and bin that plant asap.
I feel like having a shower now after just looking at that cactus.
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kosmokratorshaman
Cosmic Creator

Registered: 05/13/15
Posts: 1,206
Last seen: 7 years, 4 months
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Re: Cactus Fungi [Re: karode13]
#22060415 - 08/07/15 08:15 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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I thought the exact same. Looks like bad scale. Id make a dilute alcohol and water mix and spray the plants. Keep them out of sun.
-------------------- I am.
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Brisco
Stranger


Registered: 06/14/12
Posts: 120
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
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Thank you guys, scale insects is exactly what I'm dealing with. The treatment methods online talk about feeding the cactus an insecticide poison to absorb into its body to make it invulnerable to these pests, but obvious I don't want to feed my bridgesii poison. Any alternate natural cures to this? Thanks!
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Brisco
Stranger


Registered: 06/14/12
Posts: 120
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
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Why do you suggest keeping it out of the sun? I just read that Scale insects like the shade and sometimes wont grow in the sun at all.
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kosmokratorshaman
Cosmic Creator

Registered: 05/13/15
Posts: 1,206
Last seen: 7 years, 4 months
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Re: Cactus Fungi [Re: Brisco]
#22060476 - 08/07/15 08:32 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Because when you spray alcohol onto a cactus, it temporarily damages the skin. You want to keep it safe from sun damage. If you use insecticide, the plant will be safe to consume after about 6-8 months time.
-------------------- I am.
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Lemnaminor
Lophophora - eyed



Registered: 11/13/13
Posts: 1,366
Loc: Sicily
Last seen: 1 month, 25 days
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Re: Cactus Fungi [Re: Brisco]
#22060514 - 08/07/15 08:41 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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I's obviously scale , and the good thing is that you can deal with it without chemicals (if you want). scales can be easily removed by hand , and you can decimate or almost completely delete the problem with 1 manual treatement. i suggest you to arm yourslef with patinece and time, as it's not an easy quest. Your luck is that scales infested an Opuntia, and not some other cactus. I do Have experince of an infestation , almost as bad as this on a ferocactus latispinus. The fact is that you have an easy "terrain", so no deep ribs, but just flat pads.
Mechanically remove everithing, use any tool you like, just make sure you dont damage too much cactus epidermis. Water hose can be useful, if not too powerful.
After doing this once, check weekly for new scales, but they should not appear again in 2 or 3 treatments.
Or you may want to get a new Opuntia.
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      "The best things in life, come covered in spines."
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karode13
Tāne Mahuta




Registered: 05/19/05
Posts: 15,290
Loc: LV-426
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Re: Cactus Fungi [Re: Brisco]
#22060534 - 08/07/15 08:46 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Use an old, mild bristled toothbrush and brush the majority off with it. Afterwards you can apply insecticides like White oil, neem or the alcohol mix recommended above. Spray in the early morning or late afternoon, never in full sun. Keep the plant shaded for a few days to let recover and then slowly introduce back into stronger light.
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Brisco
Stranger


Registered: 06/14/12
Posts: 120
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
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Re: Cactus Fungi [Re: karode13]
#22060879 - 08/07/15 10:30 PM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Thank you for the great advice everyone! I've only owned cacti, or any plants for that matter, for a year or so now and I'm always learning new things. Scale is now something I understand and know to look out for thanks to ya'll.  I took an hour or so to patiently scrap all the scale off a couple weeks ago before I knew what it was and repotted the cactus in new soil. I'll look into those insecticides you suggested to me. You guys are awesome!
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kosmokratorshaman
Cosmic Creator

Registered: 05/13/15
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Last seen: 7 years, 4 months
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Re: Cactus Fungi [Re: Brisco]
#22061261 - 08/08/15 12:47 AM (8 years, 5 months ago) |
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Your welcome. Scale is an easier pest to get rid of. You will do fine.
-------------------- I am.
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