Houseplant clinic: what are the brown patches on my prickly pear?

"Those circular brown patches are a classic sign of corking. This is a natural process in many cacti, which causes the lower stem to gradually harden and turn brown, like the bark on a tree. It usually starts at the base and slowly works its way up as the plant matures. While the rough texture can look alarming, it doesn't harm the plant."

"However, because corking can be confused with a fungal infection or pests such as scale insects, it's worth a closer look. Scale insects will appear as raised, uniform bumps that can be scraped off, whereas corking is part of the stem tissue itself and cannot be removed. Houseplant clinic: what are the brown lumps on my fern? Prescription If the patches are firm and part of the stem, no treatment is required; it's simply a sign of maturity. Continue caring for your cactus as usual with bright light, well-draining soil and cautious watering."

Raised circular brown patches on prickly pear pads indicate corking, a common natural process in many cacti in which lower stems gradually harden and brown like tree bark. Corking typically begins at the base and progresses upward as the plant matures, producing a rough texture that does not damage the plant. Corking can resemble fungal infections or scale infestations, but scale appears as raised, uniform, removable bumps while corking is integral to the stem tissue and cannot be scraped off. No treatment is required for firm corked areas; continue to provide bright light, well-draining soil and cautious watering. Corking cannot be prevented.

Read at www.theguardian.com