When you press my skin and I feel soft or mushy, I am communicating a critical problem. This is not a normal state for a resilient being like me. My internal structure is designed to be firm and turgid, filled with water stored in my specialized tissues. That squishy sensation is a clear distress signal indicating that my cells are damaged, dying, or have already died. The firm, plump texture you expect has been replaced by a breakdown of my cellular integrity, and the primary culprit is almost always related to water.
This is the most common reason for my softness. My roots are adapted to seek out rare desert downpours and then exist in dry soil for extended periods. When I am given water too frequently or left sitting in saturated soil, my roots cannot breathe. They suffocate and die. This creates an opening for opportunistic soil-borne pathogens, primarily fungi, to launch an attack. This condition is called root rot. The rot doesn't stay confined; it spreads upward from the roots into my stem, digesting and liquefying my healthy tissues from the inside out. What you feel as mush is the result of this destructive process. Often, the problem isn't noticed until the rot has advanced significantly up my stem.
While less common, it is possible for me to become soft from the opposite extreme. If I am severely and chronically underwatered, I will use up every last drop of moisture stored in my tissues. My cells, once full and buoyant, will shrivel and collapse entirely. This can lead to a wrinkled, deflated, and sometimes soft or leathery texture, rather than the wet mush of rot. It is a state of extreme desiccation where my basic structural framework has broken down from a lack of hydration.
As a sun-loving plant, I am highly susceptible to cold temperatures. If I am exposed to freezing conditions, even for a short period, the water stored within my cells can actually freeze. Ice crystals form, and as they expand, they puncture and shred my cell walls from the inside. Once the temperature warms again, these damaged cells thaw and die, leaving behind a section of tissue that is permanently damaged, soft, and often discolored. This frostbitten area can then quickly succumb to rot.
Sometimes, the issue begins with a wound. An accidental scrape, a pest insect nibbling, or any break in my tough outer skin can provide a direct entry point for bacterial or fungal infections. These pathogens bypass the root system and directly attack my healthy stem tissue. They multiply rapidly, feeding on my nutrients and water, and cause a localized area of soft, mushy decay. This spot can quickly expand if left unchecked, spreading the infection through my system.
