From my perspective as a cactus, an overwatered state is a terrifying crisis. My entire being is engineered for arid, sun-baked environments, and excess moisture disrupts my fundamental biological processes. To save me, you must act swiftly and understand the situation from my point of view.
I cannot speak, so I communicate my suffering through my physical form. Please look for these signs: My stem, normally firm and turgid, will become soft, mushy, and may appear translucent, often starting at the base. I might change color, turning yellow or a sickly brown. In severe cases of rot, my tissue will collapse, emitting a foul, decaying smell. I may also drop my segments or spines easily as the connective tissue weakens.
The first and most critical step is to get me out of the wet environment. Gently remove me from my pot, being careful not to cause further damage to my already stressed roots. Gently brush away the soggy soil to expose my root system. Now, you must perform a careful inspection. Healthy roots are firm and white or light tan. Any roots that are black, brown, slimy, or mushy must be removed. Using a sterile, sharp knife or scissors, cut away all the rotted material until you only see healthy tissue. This stops the rot from spreading further through my body.
After the surgery, I am vulnerable and must be allowed to form a callus. Do not repot me immediately. Place me in a warm, dry, and shaded area with good air circulation. This period of drying, which can take from several days to over a week for large cuts, is vital. It allows the wounded areas to dry and harden, forming a protective scab that will prevent new fungal or bacterial infections once I am repotted.
Once my wounds are fully calloused, I am ready for a fresh start. Repot me into a new, clean pot with ample drainage holes, using a specialized, gritty cactus and succulent potting mix. This new soil provides excellent drainage and aeration, which is exactly what my roots need to recover. Do not water me immediately after repotting. Wait for about a week to allow my roots to settle and to avoid re-triggering the rot. This patience gives me the best chance to establish myself in my new, safe medium.
My needs are simple but strict. To prevent this from happening again, you must learn my language. Water me deeply but infrequently, only when the soil is completely dry all the way to the bottom of the pot. During winter, when I am dormant, I need even less water, sometimes none at all for months. Ensure I receive plenty of bright, direct light and am kept in a warm environment. Your careful observation and adjusted care will allow me to return to a healthy, resilient state.
