Garden Pests and Diseases: Cactus problem, 3 by OCCAROL

OCCAROL wrote:
This was a beautiful golden barrel cactus yesterday, belonging to my neighbor. She went out to water today, and this is what she found. I can't believe our Phsycotic weather had anything to do with it, as I've seen these in Anza Borrego State Park where the temps can change 70 degrees between night and day. These neighbors are NOT gardeners, and watering is not high on their priorities list. The 24" pot has drainage holes (I'm told), but the soil is Pretty peaty Is that the problem or there something else possibly going on?