Dig it out and check under the soil, Diane. It doesn't look good though. This kind of damage takes time and we might have caught it a bit late.

Still, please check the following:

Are the branches firm and the skin taut or are they limp and wrinkled?

Are the roots alive or brown, mushy and more like empty husks?

My first impression is that it was caught in the cold while very wet for too long because of potting material that does not drain and dry fast enough.

Pagan

So sad... I agree with Pagen.

Will repot and check roots in the morning. now 11pm :-) I have cactus potting mix - will that work?

Branches are firm and skin taut. No wrinkles or softness, just touching and looking at the trunk feels fine.

It is cold, and our house is 14 degrees c at night, max 18-20 during day. Central heating. I've tried hard not to overwater. :-( We went away for a week - no heating, house was at 11 when we returned.

When I repot - what are my steps if roots OK or mushy or dry? Will post pics, but don't want to leave it bare-rooted all day.

Let's find out what we're dealing with first, Dianne. We'll wait until you unpot the plant. But before you sleep, just a note---adeniums are perfectly able to survive weeks out of the pot! I have one now, hanging from a string in my wood shop. Believe it or not, that is adenium ICU.

Pagan

HI fakechuchi

I've bare-rooted my adenium and roots look healthy. :-) hooray, hope that is good new for me. Caudex (is that right) is discoloured and wrinkly. It feels as soft as a ripe avocado? There is some discolouration on the base of the stems.

OK next steps ???? What should I do?? I appreciate your time and advice. Thank-you

Dianne,

Wash all the dirt off and look for any soft, brown roots or spots. If you find any please post ... These must be excised & sealed off.

The base looks waterlogged, likely from what appears to be too heavy a soil. If it were my plant, I would dust lightly with cinnamon (antifungal) and leave it uprooted, allowing the base to air out for 10 to 14 days away from direct sunlight. Then I would add perlite to the soil, creating a 50/50 mix. You may consider other fast draining options suitable to your climate.

Once repotted (Try to go with clay. Do not use black plastic pots ... they absorb too much sun & overheat.), reintroduce to full sun gradually over the course of two days or so. Leave it alone ... Do not water for a couple of weeks. After that, bottom water from a tray to see if it takes up water. Gently water only when the soil is completely dry 3" down. Watch the caudex for improvement. It should begin firming up. Everything should always be firm.

- Maria Elena

Dianne, it does not look good. If you look at the line where the discoloration and the green part of the plant meet, this is where cellular damage has reached up to.

If you have a box cutter or any knife, try and lift the skin to see the color underneath. If the plant is brown and unhealthy up to that height, this plant is a goner. I recommend cutting off the healthy branch, drying it out for a few days and trying to root it instead.

It is not always worth it to save a plant, sometimes you come away with just a healthy branch from which you can grow a new plant. Even if this one survives, from the looks of it (mushy base, yellow leaves dropping), it will remain fragile and high maintenance going forward.

Pagan

Hi Maria Elena, Pagan,

I've washed the trunk and found like a "pimple" - a small black spot that exuded liquid as I was rinsing the plant. It's about the size of a pimple too. The base where my fingers feels like it's rotted, but the roots seemed white and healthy???

Have doused in cinnamon. :-(

I haven't cut into the branch yet Pagan, because I'm not sure whether I should give it a big slice to see into the centre of the stem / base or just a surface scrape?

How do I excise?

How do I take a cutting? What soil medium should I get for cuttings? Perlite mixed with cactus?

Thanks, - feeling very sad about my plant. :-(

I know it's difficult, but if you don't remove the rot, the tree will die anyway. I'm really sorry.

Start cutting from the bottom ... roots will grow back. Slice and keep slicing until you no longer see the slightest bit of brown. Healthy tissue will be clean, like a turnip.

Wipe the blade clean with alcohol before each cut. The "pimple" needs to be removed entirely. Once done, post pictures of all sides and we can help you with next steps. Don't put anymore cinnamon on the plant for now.

i had a seedling with the same water line recently. it was rotten all the way up. If you don't cut the rot off it will die.. Sorry.

Now you have reached the limit of my experience. I've never rooted adenium branches and especially not one that thin and in winter too. But I bet it could be done.

Let it dry more until it is sealed over. and then pot it in pure perlite is what I'd do. A really small and shallow pot so it dries quickly.

Pagan

Speechless ...

... I know you were (and are), Dianne. This is an experience for us all.

Adeniums are prone to rot and must be examined often. They must be kept in a fast draining medium suitable to your specific climate. Water needs are also specific to climate. Pagan and others can share their recommendations for gritty mix. Where are you located?

I don't think the branches are clear of rot yet. The inside should have no color other than clean white tissue. I have not had any luck rooting cuttings but know they must be kept relatively dry.

Now that this experience is behind you, would you consider purchasing seeds and growing your own babies? If you wish, there's a "Grow Out" just beginning on this forum and a few seeds is all that's required. The group is currently deciding on what seed to purchase. You will glean a wealth of knowledge from the experience. If interested, add your name here:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/4055831/time-for-another-grow-out-part-1?n=12

All the very best to you.

- Maria Elena

Hello everyone,

Just an update. Remember the stems / cuttings that were left. I hung them and then slathered them in rooting hormone and put them in this little "terrarium" (love Lindt balls). Maybe I'll get lucky.

I opened it to have a look - first time. It's been about 2 weeks. Cleaned up the cover so I can see properly. It's sitting under a heating duct, next to a morning sun window.

Any update with the remaining cuttings, did it have any growth?

No. Too many mistakes. Too cold. Too small. I have successfuly regrown larger "stumps" since. And grown several plants from seeds.

Lool back at the photos. Ive learnt so much. They were WAYYYY too wet. Now I keep the soil dry and only mist in winter time.

I enjoyed reading this post! A great learning lesson for all