--- title: "This is my daughter’s moon cactus (I think). I’m not normally a…" description: "This is my daughter’s moon cactus (I think). I’m not normally a cactus mom, so I’m not sure what to do with it. The bottom looks like it has some sort of…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/hpxrpBgLh4l1c0ZtfuJRy2" community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle" author: "Sprout117" published: "2025-05-29T10:37:11.863007Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/a8rLd68ZBM8-UX0UCvLb1TOY-4mzYzlTeJjTXL1cEaA/ssy5Q_vRSISwO2vaQ4cKDw.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Cactus \& Succulent Circle](https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w.md) # This is my daughter’s moon cactus (I think). I’m not normally a… _Posted by Sprout117 on 2025-05-29_ This is my daughter’s moon cactus (I think). I’m not normally a cactus mom, so I’m not sure what to do with it. The bottom looks like it has some sort of discoloration or rot, but it is not mushy at all - it is completely dry. The marking is around most of the bottom (the base pictures are two different sides). I’ve never heard of an underwatered cactus and I did water it about 12 days ago. It sits in the sun in our bay window and gets very bright light all day. What is the dry mark by the bottom? Is this something I should be concerned about? The soil is dry and planta says that I should water it today, but before I do that, I just wanted to weigh in and see how to take care of this plant. Any advice greatly appreciated. ![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/a8rLd68ZBM8-UX0UCvLb1TOY-4mzYzlTeJjTXL1cEaA/ssy5Q_vRSISwO2vaQ4cKDw.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/a8rLd68ZBM8-UX0UCvLb1TOY-4mzYzlTeJjTXL1cEaA/Jq0XgyKVSCiyDUAffH3x5w.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/a8rLd68ZBM8-UX0UCvLb1TOY-4mzYzlTeJjTXL1cEaA/heZEQjzeREirfwgt6bZRNw.webp?size=large) ## 8 comments ### Lover of Cacti commented on 2025-06-06 That is definitely not a moon cactus. Although I am not sure what exactly it is, you should check the roots. Wet the soil and gently remove the plant from the pot. Wash the soil off the roots. If they're discolored or blackened they're rotted. If this is true, use a sterile knife, cut off all rot (rot should be mushy or wet) let wound callous for a few days then use root stimulant, and repot it by burying 3-5 inches of the plant. Let it recuperate for a few days then water to encourage root growth. #### Sprout117 replied on 2025-06-06 Thanks so much. The roots were good just not that deep. The app identified it as a moon cactus or chin. What do you think it is? A week later it looks good so I think it’s OK. #### Lover of Cacti replied on 2025-06-06 If that is not the case, repot in a bigger pot (2-3 inches wider) with new soil. I would suggest using gritty cactus soil or general succulent soil. Altough you might want to use google lens or some kind of identifier to figure out what exactly type of soil it prefers. I know a cactus species that prefers orchid soil, so you should definitely check that out. It being hard with that coloring means its underwatered. After repotting, a couple days later water it until the water pours out of the drainage holes on the bottom. Don't water again until the soil is completely dry to the bottom. (Again im not sure what type of cactus this is but that is true for most cacti). Also make sure it is getting less or more light (again depends on the species) that coloring could also happen because of too much light. ### Lover of Cacti commented on 2025-06-06 That was a lot to type via phone 😅 #### Sprout117 replied on 2025-06-06 Much appreciated. 🙏 ### Lover of Cacti commented on 2025-06-06 P.S plantas identifier isn't great so I would personally use google lens. ### Lover of Cacti commented on 2025-06-06 I checked, and it's a chin cactus. Full sun, so make sure it's in a windowsill that gets at least 8 hours of sun a day and then it requires low watering so definitely water it till it drains out of the drainage holes, and dont water again till completely dry. #### Sprout117 replied on 2025-06-06 Awesome. I haven’t marked as chin also, with the same directions. It seems to be doing well. I’m just going to leave it and wait for it to dry out. --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_