(Writing this post made me itchy.) I recently watched a clip that deals with mold in columnar cactus. The guy showed an example of Peruvian Apple cuttings done with non-sanitized knife. From underneath, black mold outlined the ribs to resemble a black star. I rolled my eyes and glanced over at the re-homing project I did a few months ago. I beefed it up, but mistakes are the only way I learn big lessons. If the task were “get this plant to root,” mission accomplished. I cut the top ten inches off the dying father (Mando The First), potted, and look at these roots! I used an antique saw to cut this. Last month, little spots of mold appeared on some spines. I sprayed it a few times like it was do or die - which it was. The plant had other unidentifiable issues, though. Last straw was last night’s full-on submersion/bottom watering. What are those white specks? It could be pearlite or sand or dust. Hey, I cleaned those off and more appeared ten minutes later. He was full of eggs (Mealy Bugs, right?) Now I know who keeps passing those eggs around. Who “kept.” I initially repotted, left him out for a night, but I am also, like, worried about my and my dogs’ health, you know? Throwing this one out sucked so much, but $15 is a good price to learn a super valuable lesson on “Dude, follow SOME of the rules.” He goes to the landfill to join his other 20 friends who didn’t make it. I wonder what would happen if I made tea out of this. Would I turn into semi-conscious mold?
