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What causes stem rot or root rot?

5 years ago

Half of my "rooted" stems from Thailand and a few others got stem rot, before I believe they were rooted. I got hooked late in the season & am in Central FL, so they got put in pots in October. We had a cold snap, but not freezing, but a bunch of rain last month, so I brought them inside before it down poured. It's been a couple weeks and watered them a bit last Sunday.

I've chopped away trying to save the tops, but they aren't very big. It just seemed to happen all of a sudden. I know moving them was a shock. Got them under 60 watt lights and reflective under mat. I will have survivors, but wondering what is the cause?!?!?

BTW, my seedlings are doing great & will update soon.

~Kat

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Comments (2)

PRO
the_first_kms2
5 years ago
Its hard to say with any certainty what is the cause. The typical reason is related to being too wet or too heavy of a soil mix. Which based on your description was unlikely. There could be other reasons beyond that like a bad cutting (rot was not apparent but was already there), bad cut (not properly callused), and/or seasonal issues (too cool and not during growing season).

Sorry but that may be the best I can say. My preference is to start cuttings in the springtime on a heat mat with natural light. IMO light is less important than warmth.
Kathy Hamlin thanked the_first_kms2
PRO
jimmat
5 years ago
Plumeras are easy, when you know what the like.

Hot, WELL drained soil, lots lots of light.

So if its rotting its poor drainage y too much water. In nov-may in nature the go with 0 , (zero ) water. Y thet live in rocky sandy mountain sides.
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The chance of success with a cutting that small is low, BUT what have you got to lose!!!! Give a shot. You should let the cut end callous over before rooting. I wait a week. Mike
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Should i have left it alone to begin with? I tried to, but i was watching it get more and more rotten by the minute and became convinced it was rot because of the clear yellowish liquid that came out when i poked the soft part with a needle. I have grown many non rooted cuttings and never experienced any rot or growth issues before. I will definitely leave it now, thank you for your input.
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there might be a greenhouse forum also ... 80 degrees sound ridiculously high .. imo opinion .... if you are trying to replicate spring growth.. whose spring jumps immediately to 80 degrees??? ... not in my MI for sure ... no clue where you are ... [probably near philly.. lol..eh]... btw... you seem to be spot on with the ventilation suggestion ... as that is how you would reduce temps .... next i wonder why you need 24 hour light ... nor grow lights during the day .... also .. were they divisions which were divided... another source of rot ... especially in wet hot circs ... no clue if you left them outside long enough and they actually achieved the requisite chill dormancy, if any .... which also brings to mind.. if you brought them from cold.. to 80 degrees with no hardening off.. another rot potential ... as to watering... the best grower i ever met ... never watered.. until the house started to wilt ... i was stunned to see various houses looking like death .. he said its the best way to insure media drying ... encourage roots to stretch out to search for water ... etc ... also.. dont forget excessive fert is another source of rot .. when miss timed.. applied to cut tissue ... etc ... frankly ... im a novice.. and i think your dude may have done everything wrong ... but dont tell him or her that ... lol ... i presume you want a good grade ... ken
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I chopped till . . .I have just a few leaves left.. I think I know what I did to cause it to rot..I just recently got liners for my shelves and I quickly watered it before going to bed and with the liners it kinda prevents drainage. So I need to be more careful in allowing it to drain before going back on the shelf
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