Cactus base yellowing

[John2468]

Hello everyone! I’ve had this cactus golden torch cactus for about 2 years without any problem, until 2 weeks ago, I noticed yellowing on the base of my 2 oldest and tallest cactus in the clump. The yellowing is not mushy nor smelly, is this the first stage of corking or is it overwatering? Thanks!

[Silas_Sancona]

13 minutes ago, John2468 said:

Hello everyone! I’ve had this cactus golden torch cactus for about 2 years without any problem, until 2 weeks ago, I noticed yellowing on the base of my 2 oldest and tallest cactus in the clump. The yellowing is not mushy nor smelly, is this the first stage of corking or is it overwatering? Thanks!

Yep, as long as those lighter colored areas aren't / don't show any sighs of becoming soft when pressed against ( lightly of course ) the individual stems ( or whole clump ) doesn't feel like it is becoming loose in the soil, and you're only watering it once a month,  looks like signs of Corking to me..  

Don't be surprised if any of the stems lean out as they get taller, All my larger Trichoceri do this ..to the point where some stems can break themselves off. esp. when grown in more shade than they might like. ( i just repot them )

I try to counter this tendency,  -as best as possible-  by providing no fertilizer ( Cacti really don't need much/ if any, ..esp. anything high in Nitrogen ) ...and planting in a soil mix higher in Pumice ( never Perlite ) Turface, and grit, rather than a soil mix that is rich in organics.

[John2468]

Yes, I’m only watering it once a month. The lean is there because it has been growing beside a large aloe vera. I removed the aloe vera so I can plant more cactuses in the same pot.  Thanks!!

[John2468]

Update: The three tallest fell over, is this normal? 

[Silas_Sancona]

Yes, on many Trichoceri, older stems will lie down and creep along the ground rather than continue vertical growth..  Other than that, ours looks very healthy.

[John2468]

Here’s an update.