Uebelmannia pectinifera has issues

[Tina]

Last year I was given this large Uebelmannia pectinifera, its 10" tall on an old graft but it has had a hard time I think it is scorched, the new growth is lovely but its going to take for ever to grow the damage out.
I was thinking of drilling out the growing point I would normally use a knife or scalpel but I react with Uebelmannia spines which is odd as all other spines don't cause me problems.

Any other suggestions ?
Doesn't look too bad here

The really awful part

[Diane]

Ooh, nasty, Tina! Could it be cold damage? I had similar on an old grafted plant which I reckon was due to cold. You’re braver than me if you decide to damage the growing point, though.

[Stuart]

I'd slice the clean top off and graft onto something short and fat, probably an Echinopsis. Then take the clean middle ribs and do a few of what I call a 'slab graft' of clusters of areoles. The bottom half should send some offsets. I tried drilling out the centre of a decent Uebelmannia years ago and got one offset! alternatively, keep it as it is and face it with the rough side away from view.

Stuart

[fero]

Hello Tina
I've got the Kaktusy special 2: it has a lot of habitat photos, and there is only one clumping plant and that is a gummifera.
There are some nice plants growing in cracks in the rock, maybe you could give it its own specially made pot with the scorch hidden.

[Cidermanrolls]

How do you care for a plant like that? What’s the winter regime?

[Herts Mike]

If you slice the top off would it root? I’ve done it with Discocactus.

[Tina]

Hi All,Stuart I don't have any big grafting stock & I don't really want a graft , my other Uebelmannia are on thier own roots & seem fine to grow like them like that
Diane,
I'm not sure how the damage was caused so you could be right.

Mike,
I did think about cutting the top off but its such a wide area I'm not sure.

Cidermanrolls,
They like heat and during winter I do give them a little water every so often- they live on the top shelf in the hot greenhouse, young plants are a more challenging to grow but once you get them big enough they seem more robust.

[Tina]

My latest idea was to add a constriction to the stem and tighten it every so often this way the wound will callus whilst the body is still growing/feeding the head so less chance of an infection when I do the final chop.
With tree's this sometimes encourages aerial roots so what do you think, any one tried something similar.
I would prefer it on it's own roots.

[fero]

Would you risk poping it like a melon or causing damage that could cause rot.
How about laying it on its side on some pink molar clay .
As it grows up it might root down and pup.
If it works it would be a very impressive plant.

[fero]

A nice clumping habitat plant at
https://inaturalist.ca/photos/41205030