Need a picture or two please.

I'm scared it's just dying.. Although there is a tiny hope that it maybe trying to pull through whatever the heck happened to it. I've decided regardless I'm probably going to keep it until spring just for peace of mind... Don't know if I should even water it. And by spring of nothing has happened then I'll have to buy another plant in memory of my mom. Ha :/

Don't water it. They don't mind their roots being disturbed, so I would unpot it and check out the whole plant. It looks like it was planted too deep in the soil. The whole caudex should be firm to the touch. If any part of it is soft, then it's most likely a goner.

This is a fungal infection caused by Phytopthora .

:( I take it there is no fix? I will study up on phytopthora do that it doesn't happen again. Thank you both

There is a long list of potential fungaluglies other than Phytopthora that could be responsible for the symptoms, so I wouldn't put a ton of faith in that particular remote diagnosis. In fact, if the weepage originates from the main stem and the dark areas below are stains due to the weepage, it might not even be fungal in nature, as slimeflux/bacterial wetwood would be the more likely candidate.

I agree that if the caudex is involved there is little hope. The soil looks severely compacted. If so, it's VERY water-retentive, which is the probable cause of the malady. If anything is going to work remedially, it would probably be a systemic fungicide like Cleary 3336 or Tebuconazole. The former is very effective and expensive, the later is very effective for a variety of fungal maladies, more widely available, not nearly as expensive. It's also the systemic fungicide included in Bayer 3-in-1 for Insects, Diseases, and Mites, as well as in Bayer's Disease Control For Roses, Flowers & Shrubs.

Al

I use Captan powder from local earl may garden center. Pretty sure you can find it at most garden centers, but this plant looks pretty far gone.

Captan would be a poor choice because its mode of action is not systemic, which means it would only kill fungal bodies it comes in contact with, leaving virtually no hope it would be remedial of systemic infections.

Al

I didnt know they made systemic fungicides. Only knew about insecticides. Good to know. Do any of them work for stem/root rot?

Most systemics work remedially to varying degrees on the group of fungi that cause damping off problems, but they're always going to be most effective as prophylactics. An ounce of prevention is worth ..........

Al

Long silence.... I am almost 100% certain the plant is a goner. I cut the top off about a month ago... I don't know what caused the fungus. I don't think I over watered it. I also transplanted it a month ago and the roots seemed okay to me.. I wonder if I can take any of the roots and possibly try to start a new plant.. However I never even bought a fungicide, because I deep down think it's too late. I did however buy a memorial plant. That is about a foot.. Hopefully I have better luck with this one. Thank you all so much for your words of wisdom. At least I learned a lot.

The direction of plant flow was always from me to my mom, and not the other way around; but I have a lot of plants given to me by dear and special friends, some of them now gone. I can imagine how sad I'd be to lose one of those plants, but don't have any idea what the multiplier of that sadness would be if I were to lose one that was my mom's. I wish there was something I could do or say other than "I'm sorry". Even though it seems to me like a wholly inadequate sentiment, given the circumstance, it is a genuine one. Take care.

Al

I am sorry too! I am glad you are going to give it a little while longer... you never know. I am sending positive vibrations!

Well this was my favorite plant of hers, but I do have a couple more plants from her that are doing well! This was by far her oldest plant(my siblings and I argued over who got it) and of course it dies on me/I killed it! I'm sure my mom is getting a good chuckle of how much I've stressed about a darn plant! Haha thank you all again. Yes cancer is a real kick in the pants! I'm sure many can relate. Specially when they pass young (my mom would of been 58 this year dad also died of cancer.) but I'm certainly blessed to have had them as long as I did. Thank you all for the kind words.

I lost my mom suddenly last year on st patricks day, to a brain anuerysm. (she was 59) I know how hard it can be. My condolences to you. I encourage you to mourn, in your own way, but in a healthy way, not alchol or substance abuse or random violence (like i did) There are support systems out there, reach out to help if you need to. Its not weakness, its healthy.

I lost a ponytail palm from my grandfather that was older then I am some years back from basically the same thing. Kills me when i think of what I did!!

You have my sympathies :(