Help!! Succulent going purple, Panda plant stem thinning
Sam Chong
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (10)
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoDanielle Rose
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Christmas Cactus Leaves Turning Purple and Thin
Comments (7)Hi Cole, The segments turning purple has nothing to do w/ watering, it's usually a reaction to stronger sunlight & does not harm the plant at all. I believe the thinning segments have to do w/ improper drainage, is that the mix they came w/? Is it possible it has hardened off & become impossible to rewet? In that case the water tends to run down the inside of the pot, right out the bottom & doesn't get into the rootball. These plants are best NOT potted up, they tend not to want it, have small roots & don't need the larger pot until the plant is much larger. I have some for several years in their original 3 or 4" pots. Also overpotting them can lead to overwatering & subsequent rot. Generally they benefit from withholding of water for about a month after they bloom, then resume watering somewhat & in Spring when you see lots of new growth, that's the time to resume watering more heavily. In the meantime, I'd take a pencil or stick, poke some holes in the top of the mix around the plant & then when you water, water down into these holes in hopes that the water will go right into the rootball where it can do some good. Additionally, there's lots of info. here on these plants. Pls. search around here for the link about Holiday cacti. It's very useful & chock full info. HTH = hope this helps....See MoreKalanchoe Tomentosa (Panda Plant) stem issues
Comments (14)Hi Mighty Metis and Spapa, Hope bruce is doing great again (not the best picture - its neighbour is a stone rose I'm keeping there to get a big bigger before repotting) I'm writing because I think I'm heading towards a similar situation with my panda. A break-off branch was given to me recently by an acquaintance, I planted it just before summer, it really transformed around 3 weeks later (spreading its leaves, growing very fast) but now I see the lower stem getting darker, greyish and loosing density, it looks like its drying out. I presume the roots are also affected by rot possibly. I certainly planted it into unsuitable soil for succulents, the weather went from very hot to very dry constantly and I also planted it into a terracotta pot (I think it retains too much moisture with the wrong soil mix). I'm watering every three days once the top soil dries out in a hot and humid room. If you guys can see this post, I'd much appreciate a knowledgeable glance and comment, as I'm not sure what's happening here....See MoreDry brown patches and few purple stems- bhut jolokia (pics)
Comments (8)What cheeze said may sound harsh but it's definately the truth. My potted bhut is in standard Miracle Gro potting soil with a bit of bonemeal and fish emulsion. That's it. I water it when it goes dry. The rest are in the garden with plain garden soil and a little fertilizer and I may have used bonemeal upon transplanting. They're all prolific. Fact is, too much attention can be worse than neglecting the plant. Especially when you start throwing in chemicals without being positive of what the problem actually is. I've had quite a few pepper plants show purple stems, especially where they branch off near the top of the plant. I believe that's just from the sun. As far as the leaves go. They could be overwatered. Personally, I water when the plant starts showing stress....See MoreAdvice on how to combat tomato stem thinning and lower leaves dying
Comments (11)It is a fungus stem rot commonly caused by one of 3 or 4 various soil-borne fungi. Probably pythium in this case but no way to know for sure without culturing it. See article linked below. The original problem/cause was using soil/dirt/sand in the container rather than a soil-less mix. That is never recommended as it is not sterile, already infected, and creates the perfect conditions for the fungi to multiply and infect the plant. It is then further compounded by way over-watering poorly draining soil. The roots become infected and it progresses up the stem to slightly above the soil line and into the circulatory system of the entire plant. Saving the plant is very unlikely once the symptoms develop to this degree. Sorry. Dave http://plantdiseasehandbook.tamu.edu/problems-treatments/problems-affecting-multiple-crops/stem-and-root-rot/...See MoreSam Chong
6 years agoDanielle Rose
6 years agoSam Chong
6 years agocharles kraft (SoCal 9B)
6 years agoSam Chong
6 years agoDanielle Rose
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDES12 Fire-Wise Plants to Help Protect Your Home and Garden
Plant these moisture-rich, fire-resistant plants in your landscape to help prevent fire spread
Full StoryLIFEConsider Avoiding These Plants to Help Keep Your Garden Fire-Safe
Plants that accumulate dead material, are high in oil or have low moisture content in leaves put some homes at risk
Full StorySUCCULENTSGardening 101: What to Know About Propagating Succulents
Here’s how to grow more succulents from the plants you already have
Full StoryPLANTING IDEASGorgeous Plants for Mild-Climate Coastal Gardens
These trees, shrubs, grasses, perennial flowers and succulents thrive in sandy soils and sea air
Full StoryGARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES3 Ways Native Plants Make Gardening So Much Better
You probably know about the lower maintenance. But native plants' other benefits go far beyond a little less watering and weeding
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESA Beginner’s Guide to Growing Succulents
Their easy-care reputation is well-deserved, but a little TLC will turn succulents into star plants
Full StorySUCCULENTSGrow a Garden of Succulents for Easy Beauty
Low-water plants in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes? Sign us up — and check out our faves here
Full StoryPRODUCT PICKSGuest Picks: 20 Gorgeous Perennials to Plant Now
Take advantage of warm spring weather to create a colorful garden with blooming plants, succulents and ornamental grasses
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Penstemon Grandiflorus
Bring this drought-loving perennial with massive flowers home to your prairie garden
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Pride of Madeira
Try this drought-tolerant stunner for its massive flower spikes that burst with purple, drawing butterflies and birds to the garden
Full Story
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a