How to Treat Cactus Diseases? A Detailed Guide to Prevention and Control Methods

The cactus is a variety of the reduced-spine cactus of the family Cactaceae. It was introduced to China in the late Ming Dynasty, and is commonly cultivated in the southern coastal areas. So, how do you treat diseases when a cactus gets them?

1. How to treat cactus diseases

Different cactus diseases are treated differently. For example, for cactus anthracnose, use 1% formalin for soil disinfection; spray with a 70% thiophanate 1000-fold solution; for cactus rot, cut away the diseased part, apply a little sulfur powder, and spray with carbendazim.

1. Treatment methods for cactus soft rot

Apply a 5000-8000 fold streptomycin solution (for bacterial infections); spray with a 50% carbendazim 500-fold solution (for fungal infections); spray with a 70% thiophanate 800-fold solution (for fungal infections)

2. Cactus blight

When diseased spots are found, dig them out promptly, then apply charcoal powder (or plant ash) to help the wound heal as quickly as possible. Regularly spray a 60% phosethyl-Al 500-fold solution or a 64% sandofan 500-fold solution, spraying once every 7-10 days, for 3-4 consecutive treatments.

2. Cactus pest control

For red spider mites, prevention should be the main approach: maintain a certain level of ventilation and humidity to avoid stuffiness and dryness. Commonly used chemicals include omethoate and dicofol, sprayed once before overwintering. For scale insects, prevention should be the main approach, because scale insects have a waxy shell on their bodies, making them difficult to treat with chemicals; when scale insects are found, they can be scraped off promptly with a bamboo strip. Commonly used chemicals include malathion and phosmet emulsifiable concentrate. When cabbage caterpillars or locusts appear, a commonly used chemical is deltamethrin spray.