Cowboy Cactus help and advice please

[katmakenian]

Hi all
I have what I would describe as a typical 'Cowboy Cactus', who we have affectionately named Alan. I've had him for a few years now and about a month ago, we noticed on parts of the main body were going a yellowy colour and felt mushy to the touch. Didn't do anything because thought he would heal himself (yes I know, I did say he!) About a week ago, the entire top half of Alan drooped and fell so he had folded in half. So a bit of emergency surgery has now taken place and we've removed the healthiest looking limb and potted that on, with the hope of 'Son of Alan' will live again!! We have no idea at all what had happended to cause the mushiness and the only thing I can tell you is that there was a lot of mould that had developed at the base of Alan's body and on the soil, which I can only presume had something to do with over watering? I don't know really and am a complete loss. Can anyone help with how often I need to water Alan and does anyone have any ideas as to what happened in the first place so that I can hopefully help to avoid it happening again? I would really appreciate any help anyone can give please. Ta everso! Kat xx

[katmakenian]

Thanks for your answers and advice guys. Alan is an indoors plant and he is usually kept on one of the window ledges that has the most sunlight and sometimes moved to the porch which is unheated but has sunlight and heat through the windows towards the end of the day, as we're in a south facing house. It does get very, very warm in there during the summer and Alan has spent most of his formative years in there. Any ideas what the yellowing/mushiness I described was?

[bigfoot3000]

Kat that happened to my mini cactus the other day and as eddie said it looks like i overwatered the poor thing, it just grew paler and mushier as it deflated and died.

[katmakenian]

Thanks Bigfoot - sorry to hear about your mini cactus though - I just hope with the emergency surgery performed yesterday on Alan, we can pull him through and get him growing again or at the very least survive!

[bigfoot3000]

Fingers crossed kat, all the best.

[katmakenian]

Thanks Bigfoot - Alan's looking good so far but I will keep my fingers crossed too! All the Best to you too xx

[katmakenian]

Thought I'd update you....Alan Jnr has survived and is (fingers crossed) looking good and is a very healthy dark green. My question though is how often should I water him? He's looking a little wobbly at the moment because the soil he's in is very dry and he's also very wobbleble. He's indoors and in a room that is very hot during the day and very cold at night - is this the ideal spot for him? I've also managed to inherit a cactus which is a succulent called "Crassa Ovata (minor)" and I want to do my best for both of them!! Any help will be MUCH appreciated. Thank you!!!