Hi all!

I am new to this forum and need some second opinions. I have what I believe is a Mammillaria Backebergiana named Spiky, and he is my first cactus that I got a year ago in March. Unfortunately due to the soil that I was using and overwatering, he started to get what appeared to be root rot on one side. I cut him roughly 9 days ago in order to save him from the rot, and wanted a second opinion as to whether he is healing properly. He has some small brown/shiny spots on the callus on the same side the rot was that I'm not sure whether it means that I need to cut more off.

Attached below is what he looked like originally before I cut him and the part that I believe was beginning to rot (I cut more than that off).



This is the cutting a week later. It has dried considerably and I think I see a stub of a new root growing. You can see the brown/shiny spots at the top and right on the forming callus.






I have since picked up Sulfur powder, and was wondering if I need to cut higher up. If he's healing well and the spots are a caution, what else should I be watching out for? I really want this guy to pull through. This is my first time posting in a forum, so my apologies if I've violated any forum etiquette. Thank you in advance for your help, I really appreciate it!

A week into drying, its hard to say if you are seeing signs of rot. The best time to determine that is when you first made the cut. If the tissue was green or white with no hint of brown, you got it all. Otherwise, you should have cut more. You will have to make that determination as we did not see it right when you cut it.

Let it dry awhile longer - I have let them sit for a month or more without damage. Cactus, especially overwatered cactus, have a lot of moisture in them. No, no roots, just drying tissue.

Keep us posted.

Don't put anything on the cut. It should be sitting in a warm, shady spot for now.

Hi Daisyl!



It was definitely green and white with no hints of brown when I cut him, so I'll take your advice and just check on him for the next month. I'll update if anything changes.

Hi,

I have an update on my Backebergiana. It seems like it formed a nice callus and started growing its first root a couple of days ago. I also noticed that some of its tissue has started to appear raised and has a yellow hue to it that started when the root growth began. Is it normal?
I cleaned out the pot that I was using from before, and am currently waiting for it to finish drying out. I plan on using a new mix that I got that drains really well; is it time to plant it?

Below are pictures of the root and the raised tissue.

It does look like a root. Balance it on some barely damp cactus soil, press it down so the cut end makes good contact with the soil, stake it up so there is no movement and wait. When you see signs of growth, water but remember the fate of its first rendition and don't overdo it.

Thanks! I planted him today using the new cactus mix, and I lightly dampened the top third before placing the cactus in with a stabilizing rod. Seems like it started growing another root, but the raised tissue also looks thicker and more yellow. Is it okay?