Hello all,

Let me preface this by saying I'm not a plant expert by any means.

This cactus has been in the family for years and years. Most recently it was with my mom for several years, where it thrived on neglect. My mom passed away in 2021, and the cactus went to my sister.

Since then, it's slowly begun turning grayish black at the tips, and hard and brittle at the tips as well. There's also some scabbing that extends down some of the stalks.

This big guy is pretty sentimental so any advice you can give us on how to possibly nurse him back to health would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi & welcome! So sorry about your loss.

Are you able to add a pic of the whole plant including the pot?

The folks who can help with this would be most likely to see your question in the cactus forum. If you want to, you could move this discussion to the cactus forum by clicking "suggest a change".

It needs much better light then it's getting. Think of exactly where your Mom had it growing and where you have it now.

It may thrive on neglect but it will die back without proper light.

More info on it's current care would be helpful. How often watered, how close to light source, etc. Anything that can aid in understanding what is different from it's previous home.

Black and brittle, seems indicative of it being exposed to sudden damp cold at one point then drying out. If there is no mushy part elsewhere, I would not be worried. In time that dried out part at the top may just go brittle enough that you can safely peel it off.

Hopefully the plant has naturally created a seal for the rest of it.

If it is safe to open more that blinds, got to keep it open for the sake of your plant. It really wants as much natural light it can get.

When your weather allows it later on in mid- Spring, if it is not too rainy on your side, and overnight temps goes 50F and higher, you can slowly bring the plant out to acclimate again to outdoor conditions, in part shade first for a few days, then onto more direct sun.

You can further describe too what container it is growing in, does it have drain holes etc.
A good photo of the entire plant, and another photo of the soil view at the base of the plant will help everyone see a better idea of your plant's condition.

Usually this happened when there was a sudden change on the environment. I had 2 succulents had similar to those, but for my case I was making a sudden change by moving the plants from shaded area to a very hot area, and those plants just can not get used to the new environment, the top area of the plant ( the soft and weakest part) just wrinkled and turn black.
You may try to check what kind of environment changes to that plant when moving from your mother's home to your sister's, and try to adjust on that area.

With everyone above.
I would think it is due to changes in condition, possibly harsh weather, maybe poor acclimatization. Some things to check would be 1. Heating in your house, 2. Humidity in your house, 3. Possible differences in environment, 4. How often is it watered, 5. Light it is getting, 6. Is the Black material spreading.

I suggest that you monitor the situation, and see if the black parts are spreading. If they are, I would suggest removing any black material.