Paranoid about golden barrel cactus

This morning, as I was reading the paper at the dining room table, I happened to glance out onto the front porch. Somehow the large golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) I’d found on the clearance rack at Lowe’s two years ago caught my eye. Is my vision playing tricks on me or does it look a little less round than before?

130219_Echinocactus-grusonii_01

February 19, 2013

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February 19, 2013

Here are some photos from two years ago:

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January 6, 2011

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February 6, 2011

Looking at these photos, it seems that the cactus has become flatter. This does worry me. Specifically, I’m concerned about rot. A barrel cactus can look fine until, wham, it collapses in on itself. It isn’t until then that you realize it’s rotted out.

This golden barrel is on the edge of the front porch. It’s protected from the rain unless wind blows rain onto it. We did have a fair amount of rain in December, and the front of the cactus no doubt got a bit wet, but it hasn’t really rained since then. The soil feels dry to the touch and a moisture meter inserted as far as it will go gives a “Dry” reading. So far so good.

But I can’t shake the feeling that something is going on here. If it were a small cactus, I’d simply unpot it to check what’s going but that’s not easy to do with this specimen.

I’d be curious to know what the cactus experts out there think. Am I being paranoid? Or is there cause for concern?

P.S. The Ruth Bancroft Garden has had problems with their golden barrels rotting. Check out their recent Facebook post.

Comments

  1. This could be winter desiccation, too.

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  2. I hadn't thought of that. Whew, that gives me hope! THANKS!

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  3. Hopefully it's only winter dessication as he've just said. But I wonder if the planting medium's just settled and the plants just sunk in a bit?

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  4. I think it just needs to be repotted.

    (Not that I know what I'm talking about -- I just thought you might need some "easy" winter gardening activities)

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  5. It could just be winter dessication (it has been cold!) Or settling into its pot, but I might still move it to somewhere the rain can't get to it... Good luck! Those pictures from the RB garden are sad.

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  6. What did it end up being ? Rotted?

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    Replies
    1. Do you believe it was from getting wet during the winter? I have a lot of pitted big barrel cactus and would love to know to prevent

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    2. Yes, I think so. Many cacti (including the golden barrel) come from climates with mostly dry winters. Try to protect yours from excessive rainfall in the winter. That should go a long way towards prevent damage, cosmetic or otherwise.

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