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I’ve grown many many of these and they stayed healthy and vigorous without much effort. This is the first time I’ve ever seen the leaves go soft and limp.I don’t want it to die—what to do?

I already lost a small one to whatever this is and now it’s affected this larger one. I can’t remember if the two are related, these things propagate like mad, tho that’s not happening either.

I think the environment it’s in is alright and I can’t see any bugs on the plant. Please advise.

In many cases like this, it seems to be an issue with the soil; is the soil staying too wet?

Can you dig out the plant and see if there is root rot? This will be indicated by black, mushy roots, with a distinctive odor of mold.

If so, you might want to cut the top of the plant off, and try to re-root it.

If it’s already limp, sometimes the rot has gone too far already, and the stem and everything will follow. Sometimes, though, it’s a rough treatment that saves the plant.

Here’s what I would do:

If the roots are still white and plump, you have a chance of saving it – cut the plant back, and repot into clean soil. Hopefully it will start to make more buds soon.

If the roots are black and mushy, look at the base of the stem, and see if it’s also showing signs of rot.

If so, you have some type of fungus infection – cut the top of the plant off well above the black part, and let it dry out thoroughly.

Use clean sterilized cutting tools (dip into isopropyl alcohol – rubbing alcohol – to disinfect them) and let the cutting callous.

This part is crucial.

Pot it into DRY potting soil, which has added aggregate for drainage – I would shy away from anything that has bark, peat or manure in it.

If you have an issue with root rot, it will spread, especially if you cross contaminate plants, pots and spores can even spread by the air.

I am of the school of thought that you have to ruthlessly rogue and cull if you have any problems like this, because even if you’re totally careful, they can still be emerging many years later.

Good luck with your plant rescue!
Jacki