How to Kill a Paddle Cactus Fungus

Paddle cactus (Optunia spp.), more commonly called "prickly pear," adds an unmistakable desert theme to gardens and homes in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3b through 11. Although paddle cacti rarely suffer from disease, they do occasionally suffer from fungal infections. If your cactus has white, cottony growths, they are more likely caused by scales than fungus. Fungal infections on a cactus are much more likely to be pink, brown or black.

Tongs
Plastic bags
Copper fungicide
Well-drained sterilized soil
Planting pots

Instructions

- 1
  Water cacti at their bases rather than by spraying water over the plants. Overhead watering spreads fungal spores and causes a moist environment conducive to fungal growth.
- 2
  Examine the cactus thoroughly for fungal lesions, which often appear as black or brown sunken spots on cactus pads. Lesions may have pinkish, reddish, black or brown spore structures in their centers. Dry, rust-colored patches that do not appear to be rotting and do not rub off when you touch them are scabs and not fungus.
- 3
  Remove infected paddles from the cactus. Use tongs to protect your hands from the thorns. You may either twist the paddles and pull them off with the tongs, or cut them off with a sharp blade that has been disinfected in rubbing alcohol.
- 4
  Immediately place the infected cactus parts into plastic bags to prevent the spread of fungal spores. Remove the infected pieces from the area, and throw them away or burn them.
- 5
  Apply a copper fungicide to the wounds caused by removing infected paddles. You can also apply copper fungicide to the trunk if it has any lesions that were not removed. Different copper fungicide manufacturers produce products with different concentrations, so follow the label directions carefully to avoid damage to the cactus.
- 6
  Remove the soil from the infected plant and repot the cactus into sterile soil. Use a well-drained soil to prevent root rot in the future.

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