The beauty of cacti depends on their health. However, these plants, like others, are susceptible to various diseases. Because of this, they not only lose their attractiveness, but are also capable of perishing. There are three main reasons that can cause disease in cacti and lead to their death.
Improper care
The first and most common reason for the death of cacti is the wrong regime and inept or careless care. The low temperature on the windowsill, the harmfulness of a warm wintering, the wrong soil - many have heard about this. But the water regime, which can confuse a novice grower, is a completely different story.
It is known that the cactus is a dry-loving plant. Therefore, many, fearing to ruin it, do not water the plant even during the period of strong growth on hot summer days. As a rule, such cacti lose roots and are not able to endure wintering.
The appearance of pests
The most common enemies of cacti are the worm and red tick. However, the fight against them is not too difficult, and the prevention of the appearance of pests, even more so. So, for the prevention of a tick, 4 sprays with ether sulfonate should be carried out annually. Insecticide requires only 1-1.5 g per 1 liter of water. This agent kills both the larvae and the eggs of the mites.
Unlike a tick, it is much easier to find a worm, because it is much larger. The eggs of the worm outwardly resemble scraps of cotton wool, so it is difficult not to see them. You can remove the pest with fine tweezers or a damp brush. After that, the leaves of the plant should be washed, and the affected areas should be wiped with a cloth moistened with alcohol or a piece of gauze. However, so that alcohol does not burn the stem, after smearing the plant, you need to remove the cactus for 2 days in a dark place, away from sunlight.
Diseases
The most famous cactus disease is late blight, which can quickly kill this plant. The root collar is most susceptible to decay, and therefore you should periodically carefully examine it for any damage.
In addition, illnesses can occur in an unventilated or damp room. Most often, rot affects "beefy" and loose cacti with a watery stem and thin skin. If rot appears on the plant, it must be cut off immediately with a knife. Then you need to sprinkle this place with sulfur.
The most dangerous diseases of cacti are those due to which depressed dark spots form on the stem of the plant. In most cases, these spots are covered with a velvety coating. A cactus disease such as diplodiosis also begins with the appearance of spots, but there is no plaque.
It is quite difficult to fight such diseases. It is recommended that you simply get rid of the infected cacti and disinfect them.
