Question
QUESTION: Hello. I have a ruby red ball cactus and since I got it have had difficulty getting it to stand up on its own. I came home from a conference this weekend and the green stock part looks like all the water was sucked out of it and is completely dry. I've been watering it every two weeks and I don't understand why this is happening. It is literally completely flat with the ball still on top. Any suggestions?

ANSWER: Dear Sarah,

Do you have a photo?  It sounds like you have a grafted cactus, probably Gymnocalycium mihanovichii cv. 'Hibotan'.  It is more unusual to have trouble with the base, as that part is what keeps the ball alive.  The latter can't live on it's own because it doesn't have any chlorophyll.  If the base is revived when you water it and there is no rot, perhaps you need a larger pot.  Generally watering a cactus every two weeks is more than enough but I don't know what your plant looks like or what the environmental conditions are. So, without that information I suggest a slightly larger pot with a good cactus medium. You can stake it initially, if it roots it will eventually stand alone.

I'd really like to see a photo.  This is,to me, an unusual presentation for that plant.

Hope that helps,
Feel free to pursue this further with me if you need to,

Maureen

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side shot   QUESTION: Heres a few pictures of it. I have a little contraption holding it up right now but if you look you can see the color which is off drastically and how flat it is by one side being normal width and the other two being completely thin. I'll definitely buy another pot and try that, its just weird how fast it happened. I left my apartment friday morning and it was fine and I got back sunday night it was like this. Also, all weekend my blinds were shut but there was still some light and its close to the window so I don't know, its super interesting.

Answer
Dear Sarah,

You don't need to repot it.  Unfortunately it is essentially dead.  The ball has lost it's color and the base has rot. The bit of green tissue won't save the plant. It really is beyond salvation, I'm afraid.  It probably isn't anything you did.  Most likely, it was diseased when you got it and the every two week watering schedule my have hastened the disease because it was over watered.  (One really can't water cacti on a schedule). You need to keep in mind that these grafts are considered novelty plants and aren't easy to keep alive nor expected to be long lived, for that matter.  If you decide to try another one try this trick:  Take a skewer or toothpick and stick it in the soil.  Check it every week or so and if it isn't completely dry, don't water it.  make sure the pot has drainage at the bottom as well.

I would take this plant and throw all of it away in the trash - don't compost it. If you feel it the base is probably mushy in spots. If you keep the pot, sterilize it before you use it again.

I'm so sorry about your plant.  Please try again.  Cacti are so interesting.

Thanks for the photos. They made the diagnosis much easier.

Maureen