coral cactus root rot help!

7 years ago

I bought this coral cactus recently. It was sitting in standing water in a ceramic pot with no drainage hole covered with two inches of glued rocks. I removed the roots that were completely brown mush. The actual plant looks fine, just not the base. Is it too late to save? If i just cut the bottom inch off the stem will it grow new roots?

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Comments (3)

s g
7 years ago
Is the bottom of the stem soft and mushy or is it firm but just discoloured? The roots look fine to me so I am thinking you should just repot it and see what happens if there is no obvious rot.
Sara T
Original Author
7 years ago
Sorry for late reply. Have been so busy this week. I’ve left it out bareroot since I made this post. Bottom is lighter color green and no obvious mush. Think I should just pot it up like it is and see what happens?
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rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Just looking at it may or may not assure you of no rot. Looking at photos, roots look reasonable. Pls. do a 'squeeze' test: check very bottom of stem/trunk by gentle squeezing it, to feel if it is relatively firm (should not be really hard, just firm), or too soft. Soft indicates possible rot. It may be that you saved it just in time - succulents should never sit in water or soil that is wet for a while.

If my plant, I would do a squeeze test. If firm enough, I would trim any damaged roots (dry or broken or any mushy ones), and pot it into well draining mix and into pot with good drainage holes.