Hi Rick,
I'm not an expert, but it's my understanding that a worm inside a stem is usually an indication of some type of borer larvae if I'm not mistaken. Did you actually see a critter? Egads, if so, you probably should check all of your plants. It is just scary to think about. What did the damage look like?

Just throwing out an idea here, and without seeing the damage, I would venture to guess that it sounds a lot like it could possibly be a soil issue. I've had a few such issues challenge me when experimenting with different mediums.

Are you saying that the damage is where the stem actually meets the soil? Root ball is fine? Sometimes the integrity of the stem is compromised by water retention at the area where the soil and stem meet, if your soil is not well draining (AND also somewhat moisture retaining), sometimes it forms a tight clot around the base and can hold the water in against the stem causing a slow rot, or as I found with some seedlings, the soil tightens and forms a fortress or ball around the root ball and therefore no water flows through the ball of roots as it should, causing the seedlings to stunt in growth and eventually "damp off" as you mist or water. What kind of medium are you using, and does it drain easily and evenly?

As for your cutting the tips, I would have done the same if I thought I was losing the main stem. They will be fine under the right circumstances. I have no experience with water rooting, but am currently trying to root very small tips in 100% perlite and will keep you posted on any progress. I have rooted 3" tips in 1/2 mix (both HP Pro mix and Cactus Mix)and 1/2 perlite quite sucessfully. Hope this babble helped you somehow - if your plant does have a pestilence, I am seriously sorry :)

Happy Growing,
Karen R

Hi Rick,
how terrible what happened to your cutting..This came up a couple years or so ago, when a seller was selling plants that were infected, Evelyn. But inspections she got her plants staightend out.. Would like to know who you bought this cutting from???? Maybe a seller has problems. All of us can be careful in buying. Think can be catching??? not sure on that.

think they said to keep that plant away from your other ones...good luck.. How are your other cuttings doing? Mine have hit too cool to do anything.
Karen B

Hi Karen R. & Karen B.,

Karen R.: Thanks for your input. I actually saw what looked like a grub size worm. Kind of tannish/white in color and chubby (all that good eatin, I guess). It was inside of the cutting, just below the 1/4cactus,3/4perlite mix. That portion of the stem was hollow, like it ate the inside of the stem. I'm familiar with stem rot where the stem is mushy and actually wet, but this was dry and hollow. I wonder if it not only eats the inside but drinks the liquid inside the stem? I guess the damage prevented the cutting from creating any roots because there was no evidence of roots. Oh well, I hope at least one of the 3 tips I cut off will root and survive.

Karen B.: Thanks for chiming in. I actually bought this cutting ("Hana Rainglow") from Evelyn on EBay. When I got it, I checked it and it seemed to look fine. The cut end was dry and looked calloused. I don't have any idea how this critter got into the stem. It wasn't a big, hefty cutting (thin w/3tips), but it seemed healthy. I was hoping it would root and grow leaves. I had bought another cutting from her, I better check that one more carefully. Hopefully, it will be fine. As for my other cuttings, I potted them as you suggested and I've only watered once (I mist the tips every so often). There are no signs of claws yet. Is this normal for 6-7 weeks? I remembered what you said, "No leaves, No water". I will let you know when I see claws start to form. That will be a joyous day! I don't think this gray May is helping any though. These plants sure test my patience!!

Thanks again to you two for the help,
Rick

Wow, I'm really sorry to hear that Rick. That worm sounds like he was well fed at your expense! You know, I purchased a couple of cuttings from Evelyn last year and one of them (Lola) is still sitting on a heat mat as I write and only within the last couple of weeks has it started to grow claws, but, it's also pushing an inflo - it's been at least 6 months. It's been my observation (at least with my cuttings)that the cuttings that take longer than others to root are most often taking a while because they are pushing out an inflo, displacing the energy it should be concentrating to rooting instead of to the development of the inflo. Sometimes they are simply harder cultivars to root. I wouldn't worry too much about if it's only been 6 or 7 weeks - Rooting does take a lot of patience sometimes doesn't it?!

I agree, we are having the June Gloom a little early. Best of luck to you and your re-rooting!
KR

Hi Rick
I found that Evelyns cuttings for me took longer than others. the one I got from her last year seemed to be ok, got tired of waiting on it, gave it to my neighbor, next week put out leaves.. doesn't it figure.

Well on the worm problem..Hope your others are ok..maybe You should contact Evelyn..she may have some bad ones again. I don't know if she brings them through Hawaii plant check. I have had a couple that were hollow like that, wonder if there was a worm?

My cuttings have pretty much stopped, no claws up. There is no warmth, or sunshine, cool nights. No warm concrete. Soo most are in the house in a warm window. gonna slow them down. Hope because of lack of warmth they don't rot..hope you are warm. I am going to stop buying cuttings for awhile, cause of the gloom and gray.
Karen B