"and I have them just on paper toilets"

I'm assuming you mean towels :)

I rotted my huernia after I got it and saved pieces. They took FOREVER to root. But um... stick them in dry potting media. Actually probably just perlite would be best. Unless they're really tiny pieces, they should eventually take root. It'll just be awhile. Light and warmth will help.

I learned that, with really rot prone plants that need to be kept dry all winter, when you start watering them again in the spring it's best to start with really small amounts of water and work your way up. The roots tend to die and can rot out if you drench them without acclimating/getting new, live roots to grow from them first.

Hi amccour.....

LOL....LOL.....LOL....

some times it would pay to proof read...turning many shades of red here....

yes....towels....lol

I will try what you said...
they are bigger pieces and I see that the ends have already turned kinda black....
but they are, so far, staying firm...
I feel like a dummy...I should have known better, I have learned...do not over water and if in doubt do not water...
thanks for the help.....linda

i found this article earlier and thought you might find some useful information here. good luck with your plant.

Here is a link that might be useful: Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Treat and Prevent Root Rot

When my heurnia rotted, the rotted pieces sort of calloused and I was able to snap off the still-living parts -- they weren't strongly attached to the dead material anymore --, and the rot never spread to them. I don't know if that's universal to all stapeliads or helpful, but that was my experience.

Hi Linda,

I read somewhere that when you cut off the stapelia higher from the base, it is harder to root. This was the case for me. But of course, it may be just that it's my climate/environment.

I had some that rotted, and had to do what you did. Some are rooting, while some are not - but at least they are not rotting (rotting and rooting...ironic that the only difference here is a double "t" or a double "o" - mundane but very ironic lol). While it was callousing I lightly powdered it with sulphur. When it fully calloused I dipped it in rooting hormone (I was not sure if this was effective on the calloused area for rooting...)

I personally would still keep the cuttings, just to experiment and feel more confident about handling stapelias. On the other hand I have thrown a couple from my previous collection as it was attacked by mealybugs and they can easily be obtained and not as rare.

Eliz

"I read somewhere that when you cut off the stapelia higher from the base, it is harder to root."

I think this is the case with a lot of succulents. Farther from the base, less tissue remaining, and less tissue storing water and nutrients necessary to get roots going/keep the cutting alive.