What's wrong with my Melocactus?

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Cactusgirl
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What's wrong with my Melocactus?

Post by Cactusgirl »

My poor Melocactus seems to be wasting away. She's shrinking. Such a shame and I don't know what the problem is. I've kept her at above 15 degrees all year round. The only thing I can think of is that when she was in the greenhouse during our very hot summer she maybe lost her roots perhaps? The small Melocactus in the pot next to her is her 3 year old seedling. Any advice please from Melocactus specialists?
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Cactusgirl
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Re: What's wrong with my Melocactus?

Post by Cactusgirl »

Sorry about the upside down views....I don't keep my plants upside down!
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Re: What's wrong with my Melocactus?

Post by Cactusgirl »

Sorry about the upside down views....I don't keep my plants upside down!
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Tina
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Re: What's wrong with my Melocactus?

Post by Tina »

Do you water all year round ?
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Re: What's wrong with my Melocactus?

Post by Cactusgirl »

I have given a few teaspoons of rain water about once a month
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Tina
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Re: What's wrong with my Melocactus?

Post by Tina »

There your problem, melocactus like it warm n wet same as uebellmannia.
It's dehydrated, they put a lot of energy into growing the cephaleum. If it's lost it's roots thru lack of water it may take a few years to die.
It's probably a bit dangerous to increase water now but after April during warm weather up the watering gradually. In the summer mine paddle in it 😉
Last edited by Tina on Wed Dec 19, 2018 1:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Tina

varied collection of succulents and cacti but I especially like Euphorbia's, Ariocarpus and variegated agaves.

Bucks, UK
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Re: What's wrong with my Melocactus?

Post by Cactusgirl »

Thanks Tina I'm a bit gutted I might have killed her off inadvertently! Funny thing is I'm watering the seedlings regularly but just not the mother plant. If the roots have gone does that mean the plant won't flower - I'm assuming they only flower if fully healthy?
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Re: What's wrong with my Melocactus?

Post by Tina »

No they don't need roots to flower, your plant has flowered before so you may be lucky but Melo's don't have big or exciting flowers, the fruits look nice and can be different colours.
melo ernestii cephaleum A 8_14.jpg
When my Melocactus ernestii started developing its cephalium it lost condition even now it still doesn't look as plump or 'healthy'
melo ernestii fruit  C 5_15.jpg
melo braunii pods 4_17.jpg
Tina

varied collection of succulents and cacti but I especially like Euphorbia's, Ariocarpus and variegated agaves.

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Cactusgirl
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Re: What's wrong with my Melocactus?

Post by Cactusgirl »

I'm hoping that it's because she's building her cephalium then its why she's lost condition? I will up the watering slightly and see how we go. With regard to Uebelmannia, I have a small plant I keep indoors with the Melos so I will keep that watered thru the winter too - albeit lightly- my last one rotted at the base only a month after I got it so I was never sure if I killed it or it was on the way put when I bought it anyway!
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Re: What's wrong with my Melocactus?

Post by Ali Baba »

I agree with Tina, it looks as if it has been under watered. I water my Melocacti as thoroughly in the winter as in summer, but less frequently as they take longer to dry out. Melocacti are prone to lose their roots if they get dry for too long.
You will need to water it steadily but cautiously to get it going again without it rotting. If it starts to plump up then you know it has active roots and you can increase the watering
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