Happy to reply. I have the best luck with succulent plants when I leave the original alone long enough to propagate. Once I get a new one started, I'm not at a loss if the original doesn't survive repotting. Generally for me, succulents haven't been as enthusiastic about being repotted as leafy plants.
Whenever we take a plant to where it can't survive without our efforts, there can be so many variables involved. We're all in the same boat. There are 2 ways to sail along. By trying to alter our conditions to fit the needs of some plant. Or by bringing a few plants home and seeing which ones can appreciate the conditions we have available to offer.
There are so many ways to try either of those. That's a great thing because what works for the first person at their location might not work at all for the next person in a different location. And it gives us a long list of variables to tweak before giving up.
Talking about what we tried, thought about trying, saw or read about somebody trying, was told to do and either did or didn't do it, and what the result was is how we have fun with it here. Sometimes all we learn for the moment is what not to do. I have a lot more of that info in my past by now than what actually works.
I'm not saying you should give up on this particular kind of plant at all, just there are many plant vs. location matchups that are impossible. If you find yourself thinking that is happening, don't take it personally. None of us can have every plant we love. I've had to declare defeats after serial-killing some plants. And sometimes you just have to kill something a few times in different ways until you find the little formula that works for you at your location.
Another great thing for me has been clay pots. If a plant has ever been referred to as "succulent" by anyone, it will probably die @ my house in a plastic pot but it has a chance in a clay pot.
What I find ironic about ordering little succulents through the mail is that they would travel much more reliably as unrooted cuttings, or even unpotted and bare-root. But so few are available that way. Maybe the stem on your plant is just broken and the stem will grow new leaves. Is it still firm near the soil surface?
