I just sent this into Doctor Planta because I have no clue what's going on. I haven't moved it since it was a baby and haven't changed the watering schedule but about a month ago it started drooping. I staked it up a few weeks ago and it didn't help. It's worse. The soil's dry so I doubt there's root rot, (although I'm going to take it out of the pot tomorrow and have a good look). I'm waiting for an answer from them But does anyone have a clue in the meantime? I love this plant. 😢😢
I’m not a cacti expert but looks to me like scale perhaps?
0 Likes I'll Google that. Thanks.
0 LikesThe dry scarring looks like the kind of damage that flat mites cause (on hoyas, anyway). These mites are microscopic so you won’t be able to see them without a microscope; I think you need something like 50x magnification but don’t quote me on that. Anyway, you can kill them with sulfur powder. Hoya growers have lots of experience with flat mites so google flat mites and hoyas for treatments. Bonus: many plants seem to enjoy the sulfur treatment and grow more vigorously afterwards.
1 Like Thank you.
0 Likes Super closeup. Flat mites?
Sorry, regular phone camera zoom isn’t enough to see flat mites. Hoya growers use digital microscopes to check for these pests. I think they are not too expensive but I don’t have one myself; I just saw the classic symptoms on my hoyas and started sulfur treatment. (It doesn’t smell bad, by the way).
1 LikeWhat kind of plant is it?
0 Likes Opuntia monacanthos
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