Is a Squishy Stem Base on My Succulent Actually Rot?
Press the stem at the soil line, read the dent, and let the cut face tell you how far rot has traveled. A thumb test, a knife, and three verdicts.
Stem, Root Zone & Crown Symptoms
Diagnose stem softness, root zone clues, crown damage, and growing point distress signs.
Black Spots on Stems: Cut Rot Before You Lose the Plant
How to tell rot from harmless woody callus on a succulent stem, when to cut into clean tissue, and how to dry the cut end so the plant survives.
Hidden Root Damage Fungus Gnat Larvae Cause in Succulents
Clear, black-headed larvae in the top inch of soil chew root tips, causing yellowing, wilting, and stalled growth. Here is how to find them and read the damage.