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Rot

Description:

Plants that are cold, damp, over-watered, have a poor root systems and poor drainage are prone to rot. 

 
Above: Stem rot visible in this cross-section of Pachypodium gaeyii, caused from using an incorrect soil type (too sandy).

There are different types of rot; 

• Crown rot is the internal rotting of the plant which causes the plant to collapse.

• Stem rot (mainly euphorbias) causes the stem to rot, usually at the base of the stem.

• Blotchy stem rot caused by orange stink bugs.

• Fungal rot looks like a brown watery blemish on the plant.

• Rotting mesemb bushes.

• Black rot usually follows a woolly aphid attack (root mealybug).

Treatment:

Environmentally freindly:

• Take cuttings, allow to callus then try and root the cutting.

Chemical:

Crown rot:

• Remove the infected area with a clean sharp knife then seal the wound with crushed charcoal and flowers of sulphur, make sure the removed area dries out completely.

Stem rot:

• Remove rot, turn the remaining part into a cutting, simply treaty with flowers of sulphur and tree sealer, allow cut area to dry then strike the cutting.

Above: Stem rot caused by woolly aphid/root mealy bug.

Blotchy Stem Rot:

• Metasystox - 10ml/10l water, for the control of the bugs.  Cut away infected areas and spray

Fungal rot:

• Remove damaged areas with a clean sharp knife, treat with flowers of sulphur .  Spray plant with a mix of benelate and Dithane M45.

Rotting mesemb bushes:

• Treat with Ridomil ML. 30g/10l water, and hope for the best.

Black rot:

• Remove infected parts with a clean knife, spray with benelate and treat with flowers of sulphur.