My young Cereus which grew beautifully all last summer, was damaged in a rather 

 peculiar way. In order to prevent it from bending down too far, I put a rotten stick 

 into the ground next to it at an angle so that the upper part of it touched the plant. 

 Short thereafter, a black spot appeared at the point where it was touched by this 

 rotten stick, this spot expanded rather quickly and almost penetrated the plant. 

 The sick spot was hollow and only the skin offered some resistance. After opening it, 

 a thin brown liquid came out. It seems to me that the fungus in the stick contaminated 

 the cells of the Cereus. Since then, I have cut off the damaged part and covered it 

 with coal-tar; we shall see whether that will save it. 



Best greetings, 

 Yours, 

 A. Fendler 



