Help!! I've had this plant for 7 years or more and have never had one problem with it. While getting ready to repot it I squeezed the caudex and found it squishy halfway between the base of the plant and the beginning of the "fingers." Do I cut out the rot? I can't find info on the web about treatment of rot in caudiciform euphorbias. I know what to do with other caudiciforms but don't know how this plant will react with the sap and all.

Any ideas?

I just kept my Euphorbia flanaganii go dry, not cutting it off or anything. It seems to put a scab on that softened area on its own. It often gets overwatered here during the winter rains, though last year it has been relatively drier. I have learned to keep it in part shade and it thrived better that way, added more pumice to its media to make it drain better. So far doing good after that. My plant has been in my hit and miss care for 3 years.

Good advise. I hate to cut out some thing that may make the problem worse. Very musy and smells should not be a problem to remove. Keep very dry and venilated. Good air flow may save it. Try sulfer made for rotting house plants or roses. Should be able to find it any where house plants are sold.
I heard that the arms while can be rooted never develope into a head again. Don't know that for sure. I would start some just in case the rot spreads.
Stush
Please let us know how it turns out. I'm still learning myself.

I panicked and cut the entire base off as the rot went all the way through. I'll let it rest in the shade for a week or two until it scabs over then we'll see if it roots. I've done this with smaller Euphorbias but the base of this one is about 5 inches. Wish me luck.

Good Luck! Keep us posted how it goes..interested how it will come out, since your plant is much more matured than mine.

Kim,
I saw a picture on my other garden site of a very old Pachypodiym that' closely related to Euphorbia. The guy cut it right off it's big fat growing roots. Then after calless over he planted in a shallow dish. He won awards with it on show.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/fo...
Don't look if Squamish. Shows you how tuff these guys are in the right hands. (not mine)
Stush

I have a P. saundersii and it might be interesting to give it a severe haircut. Not sure about the roots though!

I have killed my P. saundersii...have to re-try that again one of these days..

Hetty,
Do you think the cuttings can be rooted like Euphorbias are? I know the cuttings don't develope the true caudeces.
Stush

Well, it's drying out nicely; no sign of loss or more rot yet.





Maybe I'll show this Sanseveria cylindrica