Yes I can be a real sucker for "rescue" plants.

I picked up a 20 $ Optunia falcata at Lowes for $ 3. I had my eyes on it for several weeks when I dropped into Lowes for something. It really got my attention when it appeared that they near killed it from over watering. Of course they then went full tilt the other way and appear to have let it dry out way too much. This was over a period of time. I said to self, if they ever cut that to $5 or less, maybe I will pick it up.

So I did. (Will try to get a pic - camera on fritz.)

Now about half the plant appears to be terribly dehydrated. Most of it does look green in a healthy sense but lots of withering and shriveling. and it is DRY. Bone dry.

I have a few cactus that do fine for me. But I have never had to try to salvage one in rather bad shape.

Any hints or suggestions? (Other than of course I should not have bought it. )

It probably just need watered and it will probably pump back up if it is still green. The hardy Optunia lay down and shrivel up when they are without water for a long time. They will be green but shriveled. That is how they survive when they do not get water.

I think that cactus the pads are pretty flat and not as plump as the hardy one. The one I saw at Lowes the leaves are a little thicker than leaves on trees.

I would moisten the soil just enough that it feels moist but not wet. Once they shrivel it takes about 2 weeks to plump back up.

I am not sure about this Optunia because I have not grown that one so I am saying all of above because of what I have done with my hardy cactus. I have left the hardy one sitting on the ground out of the soil all summer it shriveled flat but was green and once I put it in a pot of moist soil it revived itself.

Thanks Cinta. Just the sort of advice I was looking for!