Is my succulent drying or rotting? How to save it?
Amy
7 years ago
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Comments (8)
Amy
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Does my succulent have root rot? Help!
Comments (11)No Maria, you've got to cut back more until you have good green viable stem. And as Jeff (CactusMcHarris) has said you don't need anything on the cut end. I leave cutting in warm indirect light sometimes for weeks and they just root from the natural humidity in the air. Having said this, it might not happen in very low humidity areas, but here in Michigan we almost always have 40% ~ 50% RH. I just cut this from one of my Echeveria to demonstrate what you want to see after cutting. I would allow my cutting to callous for at least a week until I see the cut end dry and looking like a callous on your hand or foot; it will look hard and dry and somewhat rough. The mix is something I make but you don't have to have the same thing. Again, as Jeff has said, Perlite is readily available at any Big Box store or Garden Center. Do NOT use regular sand because it packs down too much and dries slowly. If you have a problem finding something course or gritty, go to a pet store/Walmart/Target and ask for bird gravel; the stuff used on the bottom of a bird's cage that they eat to help digest food. It will be a bit pricey but if all you need is a small quantity, it will work. I'm personally not a fan of "Topsoil" as a portion of my mix because it won't dry quickly for me....See MoreCan you save a succulent that's rotted at the end of the stem?
Comments (11)Sorry, but photo is too blurry and dark to tell. Can you take clear close up of the plant after you shake off all the soil?...See MoreHow to save my succulent ?
Comments (3)Here's what I would do: Get a slightly larger pot (clay or plastic) with holes in the bottom. Repot using a faster draining potting mix which would be commercial cactus and succulent mix which you would combine 50/50 with perlite or pumice which is available in nurseries. Rinse the perlite or pumice through a strainer before mixing with the commercial C/S mix. Get all the existing potting mix off the roots. Use a fork, your fingers, whatever to get as much off as you can. After repotting, do not water for several days. Also, I don't like to see succulents double potted as yours has been. They do better with full air circulation around the pot. You have a nice plant there, but it needs a repot. Looks like you have taken good care of it so far. When you do water it, let the water run out the drain holes, then don't water again until it's quite dry....See MoreCan i save my succulent and how?
Comments (13)Most likely it is ok. It will start getting more brown as it dries up. Maybe one or two leaves will dry up, maybe not. Even that is ok. What you don't want is the flesh (thick part that you cut) to turn black and mushy. It will get darker as it dries,heals over (medium brown), but not black and slimy. If the leaves are very soft and lots of yellowish liquid is oozing out, that may be a problem. That would mean leaves were water-logged = too full of water. If that is the case, there is a chance it may rot, but sometimes it just dries up. But what I see in photo looks ok to me. Let it callus/heal over/dry up and take another photo after 24 hrs or so, and post. If you really worry, you could dust it lightly with powdered cinnamon with a soft brush or just get little cinnamon on a paper towel and stick end into it (just the cut part). Not too much is needed. Sulfur powder could be used, but cinnamon works as well and you may have some at home. It isn't probably necessary... BTW did you read thru thread I posted link to? There are many photos there and may give you 'peace of mind' since you worry so much :)...See MoreAmy
7 years agosocks
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoCrenda 10A SW FL
7 years ago
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