You have noticed my soft, squishy body, a stark and alarming contrast to my normally firm, turgid self. This is not a sign of under-watering, where I would simply wrinkle and deflate. This mushiness is my primary distress signal, a clear indication that something is terribly wrong beneath the soil line. I am succumbing to rot. The cells in my leaves are rupturing and dying, filled with excess water and under attack by opportunistic pathogens. This softness means the problem has likely advanced from my roots up into my body, and immediate, drastic action is required to give me any chance of survival.
The culprit is almost always root rot, caused by excessive moisture around my root system. My native environment is one of extreme aridity and sharp drainage. My pot and soil must mimic these conditions. If the soil remains damp for too long, or if the pot lacks a drainage hole, the delicate, absorbent roots that sustain me begin to suffocate and decay. This rot is a progressive condition; it will travel from the roots up into the stem and body, turning my once-healthy tissues into a mushy, brown, or blackened mess. You must act now. Gently remove me from my pot, carefully brushing away all the damp soil to fully expose my root system and body base for assessment.
With the soil gone, you must become my surgeon. Carefully examine my roots and the base of my body. Healthy roots will be firm and may have a reddish tint. Any roots that are brown, black, slimy, or mushy must be removed. Using a sterile, sharp knife or scissors, carefully cut away all affected tissue. Do not be timid; any rot left behind will continue to spread. You must cut until you only see clean, healthy tissue. If the rot has advanced into my body, you may need to carve out affected areas. This feels drastic, but it is my only hope. Once all the rot is removed, dust the wounds with a fungicide like sulfur powder or cinnamon to prevent further fungal attack and to help the tissue callous over.
After my surgery, I am vulnerable and must not be potted immediately. I require a period of bare-root drying to form a strong callous over all the cut surfaces. Place me in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated area out of direct, harsh sunlight. This process is not quick; it may take anywhere from several days to a couple of weeks. You will know I am ready when all the cut areas are completely dry, hard, and sealed. Do not rush this step. Potting me in damp soil with open wounds would simply restart the cycle of rot and guarantee my demise.
Once fully calloused, I am ready for a new home. My future depends on the environment you provide. You must repot me in a specialized succulent and cactus mix that is exceptionally gritty and free-draining. Many growers amend commercial mixes with extra perlite, pumice, or coarse sand. Equally critical is a pot with an excellent drainage hole. Terracotta pots are ideal as they are porous and help wick away moisture. Plant me in the dry mix and, crucially, do not water me immediately. Wait for a week or more to allow my new roots to begin seeking moisture, reducing the risk of re-infection. From then on, water me only when the soil is completely dry and my sides show signs of gentle wrinkling.
