How to Treat a Sick Saguaro Cactus

Found only in parts of the Sonoran Desert, the saguaro cactus -- pronounced sah-wah-roe -- can live to be 200 years old and develop as many as 25 "arms" or branches. Slow growing, it can also be found as a houseplant for cacti enthusiasts. While usually healthy and devoid of blights, it can be affected by extreme temperatures that can damage tissue, causing visible rotting. Additionally, some cacti fall prey to bacterial necrosis, which causes quick deterioration of the plant's tissues.

Sharp knife
Bleach
Spray bottle or sponge and bucket
Plastic bag or wrapping

Instructions

- 1
  Look for signs of rot or brown spots that are turning soft. With bacterial necrosis -- the most common disease of saguaro cacti -- the spots begin to ooze a black liquid with a strong, unattractive odor that attracts gnats.
- 2
  Dig around the diseased tissue with a sharp knife. Remove all tissue that appears black, dry, oozing or shriveled. In addition, remove at least 1/2 inch of healthy tissue around the diseased sample. Leave the surrounding tissue smooth and ungouged. If the damaged tissue is deep, you will need to dig farther into the cactus to remove all traces.
- 3
  Wash the carved-out tissue with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water to kill any remaining bacteria in the cactus. This can be sprayed or sponged onto the plant. Allow to dry, and then repeat.
- 4
  Watch the saguaro for signs of continued deterioration or reinfection. While the process may be repeated several times, the cactus may be too infected to save and will need to be taken down or disposed of.

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