How to save Paper Spine Cholla Cacti from rotting that was apparently dug up in very damp soil to give me . . . (growing, containers)

[2Q&Lrn&Hlp]

This shows a picture of it so we all know what I'm talking about:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/64886/

This article is about how to deal with rot once it has occurred:

"Cactus Rot"
http://kadasgarden.com/Crot.html

Someone I know knew that I wanted some, is moving & not taking this plant along, so brought it to me in pieces in very damp soil & loosely set into non-draining containers. (It appears to have either been in a pot too large to easily move, or perhaps the ground.)

Anyway, some pieces inevitably fell off . . .
while the vast majority of it is in a few larger, rooted pieces in very damp soil.

What --if anything-- can I do to keep it from rotting now? It's been in this condition for going on three days at least. Is there anything --other than drying out the soil-- to stop it from eventually rotting due to bacteria or fungi getting in its wounds & allowed to prosper due to the wetness?

Watering with MSM might work for some plants . . . but, this one prefers to be dry most of the time.

(To top it off, it started raining unexpectedly this morning, which got it a bit wetter until I brought it in.)

I am wondering if I should just dry the tops off, then cut them off of the roots & let them heal over before re-rooting them, instead of trying to save their roots.

What method/s do much more savvy cacti gardeners than I, think would work best?

Thank You for your helpful advice!

[wit-nit]

Start over with a dry cutting. Put it in a pot with fresh new dry cactus mix. Don't water it until it shows signs of rooting out. Then nurse it with a small amount of water. Overwatering is the cactus worst enemy.
Throw out all the rotted parts. They are no good. Keep the cactus in the pot out of the rainwater.

The following site is a good informational sight on growing cactus cuttings. I do not agree with the initial watering as it general causes more rotting until it grows roots to absorb the moisture.
http://www.dbg.org/system/files/61/o...pdf?1279065478

[2Q&Lrn&Hlp]

Originally Posted by wit-nit

Start over with a dry cutting. Put it in a pot with fresh new dry cactus mix. Don't water it until it shows signs of rooting out. Then nurse it with a small amount of water. Overwatering is the cactus worst enemy.
Throw out all the rotted parts. They are no good. Keep the cactus in the pot out of the rainwater.

I agree to go easy on the watering!

However, this cacti is not rotted at this point.

It has just gotten wet . . . so far:

The roots are definitely wet; but, regarding the few pieces that broke off,
I'm not sure whether their recently detached ends have gotten wet, or, not.

My main concern is whether they have became infected, and if there is a way to stop any possible infection . . . or not.

(By the way, maybe it's my PC, but I haven't been able to open the webpage your link goes to.)

[ellenrr]

Another site for info on cacti and succulents:

Cacti and Succulents Forum - GardenWeb

(you have to join)

[wit-nit]

Originally Posted by 2Q&Lrn&Hlp

I agree to go easy on the watering!

However, this cacti is not rotted at this point.

It has just gotten wet . . . so far:

The roots are definitely wet; but, regarding the few pieces that broke off,
I'm not sure whether their recently detached ends have gotten wet, or, not.

My main concern is whether they have became infected, and if there is a way to stop any possible infection . . . or not.

(By the way, maybe it's my PC, but I haven't been able to open the webpage your link goes to.)

Can't be infected unless they are rotting. You'd see mushy brown or black at the base of the plant. Don't over water them and you should have no problems. Keep the pots out of heavy rainfalls. If you're too worried about being too wet then take the plants out and re-pot them in a fresh well draining cactus mix.