Fairly new to proper plant care... Any help is appreciated! Is the white "fuzz" on this cactus normal or no bueno? It also appears to have some yellowing and cracking closer to the base. It's in a cactus/succulent soil, under a 12 hour on/off growth light. Its about 4-5 feet away from an East facing window that gets several hours of morning light as well. 🫣😬 Thanks!
It's hard to tell from the picture but it looks like mealy bugs to me. Take a Q-tip and some alcohol and wipe them off. If they turn brown they are definitely mealy bugs. Mealy bugs love cacti. I wouldn't worry about the base as long as it's not gushy. Just remember to let the soil completely dry out before you water it. The light sounds good. I have most of my cacti on a bookshelf with plant lights and no real light and they're doing fine. Almost forgot, if they are mealy bugs make a mix of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to three parts water and run it through until it runs out the bottom. Then quarantine it for at least a week.
3 likes They didn't change color with the alcohol q-tip. Is it more likely trichomes? 🤔 Thank you for your help!
1 like
I have one that does the same thing it grows that way
Cute! That's what I figured - it doesn't seem buggy. But I panicked 😅 Thank you!
1 like Your very welcome
1 like Wow. Sorry to scare you. They looked exactly like the mealy bugs I had to deal with. I know cactus can get those white spots on the points but I didn't realize they could get them in the crevices.
1 like
Yes those are normal in Mammillaria species
2 likes