Troubleshooting
False Peyote problems — and how to fix them
False Peyote (Ariocarpus retusus) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Taproot rot
The large fleshy taproot is extremely prone to rot. Use a deep pot with outstanding drainage and never let the root zone stay wet.
Slow or no growth
Normal for this species — it is one of the slowest-growing cacti. Patience is required; expect only millimetres of growth per year.
Failure to flower
Autumn flowers require a warm summer and a cool, very dry winter rest. Without the temperature drop, blooming is unlikely.
Spider mites
May appear in hot, dry conditions. Rinse the plant with water and treat with dilute neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Mealybugs in tubercle axils
Difficult to spot in the dense woolly axils. Inspect closely at each watering and treat with isopropyl alcohol.
Prevent false peyote problems before they start
Most false peyote issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
False Peyote problems — FAQ
Why is my false peyote taproot rot?
The large fleshy taproot is extremely prone to rot. Use a deep pot with outstanding drainage and never let the root zone stay wet.
Why is my false peyote slow or no growth?
Normal for this species — it is one of the slowest-growing cacti. Patience is required; expect only millimetres of growth per year.
Why is my false peyote failure to flower?
Autumn flowers require a warm summer and a cool, very dry winter rest. Without the temperature drop, blooming is unlikely.
Why is my false peyote spider mites?
May appear in hot, dry conditions. Rinse the plant with water and treat with dilute neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Why is my false peyote mealybugs in tubercle axils?
Difficult to spot in the dense woolly axils. Inspect closely at each watering and treat with isopropyl alcohol.