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Soft caudex does not always mean root rot

8 years ago

So after watching some videos and getting paranoid about root rot I checked my plants and found some of the caudex was soft near the soil line. So I pulled the plant and cleaned it up. It looked good but was very soft. The main caudex was firm but near the soil line it was soft and further down it was firm again. Figuring I would never know if I did not make a cut I choped the root and it was clean as can be. Soft but clean. Feels like a old cucumber. Still does but no brown rot? Weird.

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Comments (3)

Shang FL09
8 years ago
My rule of thumb is to be safe than sorry. Most of the time roots rot will lead to many yellow leaves. Some time dehydration will cause the root to go soft.
abrahamx
Original Author
8 years ago
Yea, I had one go soft after transplanting then snapped back a week or so later. This one though is still feeling super soft but I'm not sure whats going on? Its hot out, I had just moved it outside and it has been raining so it was watered more than it had been all winter? Who knows, it looks fine. I'm sure rot would be visible. So if it feels soft but looks nice and green or not brown and rotted leave it alone. Now I hacked a big root off for nothing. Its the center one in this pic. Does not look to obvious.
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Candice (Houston)
8 years ago
Mine will get slightly squishy when dehydrated and plump up after a good watering.

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