Did my black thumb strike again?!
I was checking Tucson earlier and noticed the side that furthest from the center has some serious issues! There are two other succulents that share the same pot, and it seems that the parts furthest from the center have some issues.
For reference: I have been exclusively bottom watering and think that may be the culprit or possibly my pot is too small for all three. On the bright side…Wildcat has another flower that has bloomed. Maybe I’m doing something right 🤷🏾♀️
In short: This newbie #plantparent needs HEEEEEEELP 😔😩
#SucculentSquad
#SucculentSOS #GregGang
For reference: I have been exclusively bottom watering and think that may be the culprit or possibly my pot is too small for all three. On the bright side…Wildcat has another flower that has bloomed. Maybe I’m doing something right 🤷🏾♀️
In short: This newbie #plantparent needs HEEEEEEELP 😔😩
#SucculentSquad
#SucculentSOS #GregGang
1ft to light, direct
Last watered 2 years ago
34
They look wet in the photo, are you misting them in addition to bottom watering? A possible issue could be the glazed clay pot, which doesn't allow the soil to dry out as quickly between waterings. I have succulents in both terracotta & glazed pots, and the soil in the glazed pots definitely stays moist for MUCH longer. Also not sure about bottom watering in a pot with the attached dish.
@SassySnapdragon Lol, don't feel bad! You're learning and asking questions 🥰 There are others here with far more expertise than me, but I think the best thing you can do is remove any dead parts & let the soil *completely* dry out before watering again. Then water from the top until it comes out the bottom (over the sink would be best, that type of pot tends to overflow & make a mess), then let it dry out again. Stick your finger a few inches down into the soil to check for moisture.
@stephonicle I tried top watering since I thought bottom watering was the issue. The misting is my clumsiness.
At this point…can they be saved? Would I cause more harm than good moving them to a better pot? Should it be a bigger pot?
At this point…can they be saved? Would I cause more harm than good moving them to a better pot? Should it be a bigger pot?
@SassySnapdragon I wouldn't move them to a bigger pot. Larger pots hold moisture in the soil longer, and you're likely to get root rot that way.
Succulents really do thrive on neglect - they want to be root bound, they want to dry out completely between waterings, and they want way more sun than any normal plant should want 😂
The black at the bottom of the leaf in your photo make me think there might be a rot issue, unfortunately. It might be worth gently pulling that one up to see if the roots are brown/mushy. If so, feel free to @ me here - I've had to deal with quite a bit of root rot (due to my own vast and varies rookie mistakes lol) and I can give you some advice on what might help 😊 Good luck!
Succulents really do thrive on neglect - they want to be root bound, they want to dry out completely between waterings, and they want way more sun than any normal plant should want 😂
The black at the bottom of the leaf in your photo make me think there might be a rot issue, unfortunately. It might be worth gently pulling that one up to see if the roots are brown/mushy. If so, feel free to @ me here - I've had to deal with quite a bit of root rot (due to my own vast and varies rookie mistakes lol) and I can give you some advice on what might help 😊 Good luck!
@SassySnapdragon don't feel bad, my entire plant journey seems to be one loooong series of rookie mistakes 🤦
@SassySnapdragon They're not a lost cause! The pot size is fine—succulents have shallow root systems, so you don't want something too big. You can always repot in fresh soil if you want, but first inspect the roots. Cut away any rot and let them dry out for a day or so before repotting. I'd recommend a terracotta pot (if you have one) & also mixing a handful of perlite into your soil (you can get a large bag at Lowe's or Home Depot for $7-8).
It's hard to tell from the photo, but I think on that one in particular the stem may be black too? If it is then yes you have a rot problem going on.
Also a word of caution about top watering. When you allow the soil to completely dry between waterings, the soil can actually compact and become hydrophobic. So the watering must be done very slowly so that it's not just running down the sides of the pot or down channels straight to the drainage holes. You can easily tell if that is happening by scratching the surface after you've watered. If when you scratch the surface only the top 32nd of an inch or so is wet, you will easily see it. Using a chopstick to aerate the soil and sort of mix things up can help, but mostly it's just a game of patience, checking, and watering slowly to allow the dirt to wet down to the root level.
Also a word of caution about top watering. When you allow the soil to completely dry between waterings, the soil can actually compact and become hydrophobic. So the watering must be done very slowly so that it's not just running down the sides of the pot or down channels straight to the drainage holes. You can easily tell if that is happening by scratching the surface after you've watered. If when you scratch the surface only the top 32nd of an inch or so is wet, you will easily see it. Using a chopstick to aerate the soil and sort of mix things up can help, but mostly it's just a game of patience, checking, and watering slowly to allow the dirt to wet down to the root level.
Sorry, @SassySnapdragon I just corrected that. It should've been rot. I was using the voice to text feature, and must not have enunciated clearly.
@UltraKoreanfir Got it. I’m still new to a lot of this so I wanted to make sure I knew what you were talking about 💜
Okay @stephonicle @UltraKoreanfir @ShipofRockets …. I finally had the time to dig out my little friends and get a terracotta pot. The first pic is of Tucson, and I think rot got the best of him. The second two are of Sonora. She may have some potential but I’m not sure. The last two are of Wildcat. My only glimmer of hope is that he has been able to sprout a new little bud in the midst of my mishaps. 😂
What say ye???
What say ye???
Hey @SunnyPlants and @itsjordan …I should’ve tagged y’all too. A (virtual) nickel for your thoughts?
Hm, it does seem like you still have some healthy looking bits— I’m just skimming through and seeing the photos. They’ve already talked about proper soil and potting. Good drainage is key! Bottom watering is great, I personally don’t mist my succs because I think it’d give them too much moisture, and you now know it’s rotted. There’s a few things you could try in terms of saving them like simply plucking off all their leaves if the stem is far gone, and try to propagate, or if there is still good stem you can try chopping and replanting. If it’s just the roots, you can trim them and replant.
Here’s a YouTube video on some methods: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E1hKceBYr3w
Here’s a YouTube video on some methods: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E1hKceBYr3w
@itsjordan Thanks for sharing the video! I dusted them off a little more and now Tucson has me confused. Despite the rot on one side of his stem…look at his roots! Wildcat seems like he just needs to be repotted, as does the remaining healthy parts of Sonora.
Hey @SassySnapdragon ! Thanks for the tag! Always happy to help! I think @itsjordan covered it very well. Great video too!
Be kind to yourself with this! We’ve all probably been through something like this at one point in our plant and succulent journey, and we just keep learning and sharing what we learn. Props to you for posting and asking questions!! 🤗🙏🏽
Be kind to yourself with this! We’ve all probably been through something like this at one point in our plant and succulent journey, and we just keep learning and sharing what we learn. Props to you for posting and asking questions!! 🤗🙏🏽
@SunnyPlants Thanks! 😊
I’m really torn about Tucson after dusting him off a little (see above pics).
I’m really torn about Tucson after dusting him off a little (see above pics).
@SassySnapdragon If it were mine, I think I’d cut off the mushy part and leave it out a few days to callous over.
@SassySnapdragon if you’re interested in cutting, here’s some photo guidance on where to cut with explanation on what it’ll do
The pot’s not too big. I’m curious… what kind of succulent soil is it? Is it a homemade mix, or store-bought? I have MiracleGro succulent soil that drawing okay if I top water, but stays wet when I bottom water. Also, like @stephonicle said, don’t mist them. Only water when the soil is very dry.
@SimpleSucculent I’m using the MiracleGro as well. I just got a terracotta pot today that is a a tiny bit wider but more shallow than the glazed ceramic I had them in.
@SassySnapdragon I don't have much to add that others haven't already said, lol, but didn't wanna leave you hanging!
The roots look good on all of them, so that's a relief. I agree with Sunny about Tucson - I'd trim off the rot on his stem, leave him out for 2-3 days, and then bury him up to just below the leaves when re-planting. I'd also recommend dusting a little cinnamon over the cut, as that'll act as a natural antibacterial/fungicide. Maybe a little rooting hormone, too, to encourage root growth along the uncut part of the stem. 😊
The roots look good on all of them, so that's a relief. I agree with Sunny about Tucson - I'd trim off the rot on his stem, leave him out for 2-3 days, and then bury him up to just below the leaves when re-planting. I'd also recommend dusting a little cinnamon over the cut, as that'll act as a natural antibacterial/fungicide. Maybe a little rooting hormone, too, to encourage root growth along the uncut part of the stem. 😊
@ShipofRockets Cinnamon makes perfect sense! I often add it to my tea when I’m not feeling well. And clearly Tucson is not well 😆
@SassySnapdragon I'm gonna have to try cinnamon in my tea, never thought of that! 😂
But I love the smell of cinnamon and potting soil... which might be a not-too-encouraging sign about how often I've dealt with root rot.... 😬😂
But I love the smell of cinnamon and potting soil... which might be a not-too-encouraging sign about how often I've dealt with root rot.... 😬😂
@SassySnapdragon okay. Please to/water it next time. And don’t let the water get on the leaves, only water the soil. The roots will soak it in. I use a syringe.
@SassySnapdragon how is Tucson and the gang doing! 😛 I was offline for a few days, but looks like the others gave you some great advice ☺️
@stephonicle About that… 😬
I wound up taking @SunnyPlants & @itsjordan guidance and cut and callous Tucson. Then I noticed the other two’s stems were taking a turn for the worse even though their roots looked OK when I moved them to the new pot so now they have been cut and are callousing as well. I forgot to dust Tucson with cinnamon like @ShipofRockets suggested (🤦🏾♀️) but will remember this time around.
I’m bummed about what happened but glad I have folks that are kind enough like y’all and @SimpleSucculent to help. 🫶🏾
I wound up taking @SunnyPlants & @itsjordan guidance and cut and callous Tucson. Then I noticed the other two’s stems were taking a turn for the worse even though their roots looked OK when I moved them to the new pot so now they have been cut and are callousing as well. I forgot to dust Tucson with cinnamon like @ShipofRockets suggested (🤦🏾♀️) but will remember this time around.
I’m bummed about what happened but glad I have folks that are kind enough like y’all and @SimpleSucculent to help. 🫶🏾
@SassySnapdragon Aw no, hey at least you can learn from this, right? Trying things you hadn’t before and being able to see it with your own eyes and do it with your hands is so great for experience! You’ll be able to catch it and fix it if it happens again