Staff Answer
May 17, 2022 - 07:07 AM
Usually, Phyllosticta based diseases on Opuntia pads are either benign or short lived. Once the weather dries, the fungus usually goes dormant as it relies on moisture to spread. How long has this disease been ravaging your Opuntia patch for? Unfortunately, removal and destruction of the infected pads is the only reliable way to get rid of this particular disease.
To prevent a re-infection in the fall and winter, you'll need to lower the humidity around your cacti as much as possible and, perhaps, shield them from rain and snow. We understand that may be very difficult with an operation as large as yours but it is the best way to prevent the disease.
A few clear photos of infected pads may help us out here though. You can email them to us at info@mountaincrestgardens.com. If you do decide to send us some photos, be sure to include the following information:
1) Growing conditions (full sun, part sun, filtered sun, indoors, outdoors, etc.)
2) Soil used for planting
3) Watering schedule
To prevent a re-infection in the fall and winter, you'll need to lower the humidity around your cacti as much as possible and, perhaps, shield them from rain and snow. We understand that may be very difficult with an operation as large as yours but it is the best way to prevent the disease.
A few clear photos of infected pads may help us out here though. You can email them to us at info@mountaincrestgardens.com. If you do decide to send us some photos, be sure to include the following information:
1) Growing conditions (full sun, part sun, filtered sun, indoors, outdoors, etc.)
2) Soil used for planting
3) Watering schedule
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