Barrel Cactus Basal Rot: Water-Retentive Soil Killed It, Porous Mix Required

Diagnosis: Soil Too Moist

Leaking water + mushy base + standard potting soil = rot. Cactus soil must shed water in minutes.

50% pumice/perlite/coarse sand + 50% cactus mix. Or 1:1:1 loam:sand:grit.

Water leaking = vascular collapse. Replace with same species in correct soil.

Low light + stagnant air + wet soil = rot triangle. Fix all three.

Cactus: Propagation Methods for Argentine Giant (Stetsonia coryne); Emergency Yucca Propagation: From Water to Soil Immediately; Diagnosing Yellowing Florida Cactus: Overwatering vs. Light Deficiency; Severely Underwatered Cactus: Shot Glass Every 2 Months Is Starvation; Desk Cactus (Grafted Orange Top) Unwatered Year: Water + Fertilizer May Revive, But Graft Shortens Life; Cactus Soil Substitute: Potting Soil + Sand; Dracaena 'Anita' Brown Tips and Dead Worms in Soil; Rotting Cactus: Mushy Center = Too Late, But Salvage Healthy Parts; Zoysia Dying in Spots on a Slope: Fungus, Clay & Watering Fixes; Sudden Container Plant Collapse: Soil Moisture Extremes and Diagnostic Protocol

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