how do you save an overwatered cactus from dying?

Question

its a grafted cactus and most of the shaft is severed but its hanging from a thick vein. the roots are still in the dirt and it turned from a powerful bright green to a murky dark green in just 2 days

Answer 1

The reason that the cactus has changed to murky dark green is because it is suffering from rot. THIS PART WILL NOT SURVIVE NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO. IT IS DEAD. If there is any part which is still it's original color this part MAY possibly be saved but you will need to act right away because rot spreads quickly, as you have seen.
If any part of the cactus is still alive then cut it off with a sharp knife and let it sit until the cut part "calluses" over or becomes dried out and hard. Do not let any of the rotting portion remain on the cut cactus. After the cut has dried out put the cactus in a pot with a potting soil that is high in sand content. (You could root it in pure sand if you want to. Repot to cactus mix after it's developed roots.) The pot must have drainage holes and allow all excess water to drain through. After you water it for the first time let it dry out completely before you water it again. NEVER LET A POTTED CACTUS SIT IN STANDING WATER. Never keep the soil of a potted cactus continually wet.
Cactus are, necessarily, very hardy and most species will send out roots from cut portions even though no roots are remaining on that portion. The cutting does need to be in contact with some sort of soil though.
If the cactus survives you will see new growth in a couple of weeks to several months depending on the time of year, the light and other factors.
In the summer it is best if the cactus is kept outside where it can get direct light. In the winter (if your winters are too cold for the particular species you have) bring it inside but keep it in a window with direct light exposure. In the summer watering once a week is sufficient, in the winter once a month is fine.
Why is the cactus grafted? Is the grafted part some other color than green? Has any of the host plant survived? If the graft is red, yellow or some other color besides green, then it does not produce chlorophyll on it's own and must be attached to a host cactus.
Saving grafted cactus when the host is completely dead can be tricky and require regrafting. You might want to just buy another one and this time DO NOT WATER TOO OFTEN!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Catus plants hold water for 'years' of survival. If you have it planted in the earth, then no worries, the roots will naturally find it's food and water source. If you, however, have it in a pot, then it will die, unless you feed it water once a month or so, depending on the species of cactus plant. (Some cacti only feed once anually) You have to know your plant. It's kinda like raising snakes, which I have done, and learned a lot about. If you care, you will learn. Ron Couch

Answer 3

Lots of sun and a pot with good drainage. I just brought one back from a near death experience, but it's a 50-50 chance. I'm not sure if it helped my cactus any, but I would give it pep talks.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

Remove half of soil around base of plant.Take a mix of 46-0-0 ammonium nitrate with fresh baking soda and fresh sand.Mix 10% ammonium nitrate,40% baking soda,50% sand place around base.Do not water!When it returns remove the mix and replace with new soil or sand!

Answer 5

how to save a cactus that was exposed to cold weather

Answer 6

Give it lots of sunshine. Lay off the water.

Answer 7

Poor baby! Is he drowning? You may try repotting him in some dry soil. Good luck!

Answer 8

the easiest way is setting it on top of your water heater for no more than 12 hours...(if it's in a pot of course!).

Answer 9

dry the water from it

Answer 10

don't water it so much