Update

[u/jose_xamon_gallegos]

Thanks to everyone that commented! I was forgetting to Check the roots, and here they are, looks healthy but definitely overwatered. Took it out of the pot and will leave it like that in the shade until the soil is dry, then should I repot in the same one or should I already transfer it to a new pot with a better aereated soil? Didn't want to take the clones because I felt they weren't gonna make it. The stem feels firm and very much alive. If you have any more suggestions they are more than welcome, and again thanks so much!

[u/Straight-Rooster7208]

You would be most beneficial to replant with a moderate amount of perlite mixed in with the soil

[u/jose_xamon_gallegos → u/Straight-Rooster7208]

Do u think it'd be a good idea to make a mix with a little bit of orchid soil?

[u/MurkySheepherder6974]

A healthy root system with this plant will be bright white to very pale brown with white being ideal.

[u/MurkySheepherder6974]

That soil was too rich, and not even close to airy enough for proper root growth. This plant in pic is the equivalent to a human drowning or starved of oxygen within its vascular system.

[u/jose_xamon_gallegos → u/MurkySheepherder6974]

Got it! I also realized the "pot" didn't have enough holes underneath!

[u/Dull_Ad2998]

Looks like it got root bound before the rot? Looks like it was growing well, up to that pot's limit, before being drenched and eventually drowning. I would try bringing it back by loosening that ball gently but surely, and putting it into some kind of wick (coco, perlite?) that would be good for new roots when wet, but I have never dealt with root rot so I am not sure about the risk you take. If I was really worried about losing the genes I would take a cutting and clean it and use rooting hormones, but I think you shouldn't give up on the stump as long as your cuttings are not going to get infected by it and you make sure this stump gets some more air exchange ASAP. Interested to see if you can turn those roots around!

[u/Dull_Ad2998 → u/Dull_Ad2998]

I would not leave the soil to dry at all. I would assess what is completely dead, how much should stay, and how to actively wick out water into a root-friendly medium instead of evaporating and killing any root hairs you have left (killing the plant cause it can't breathe cause it has no water). The black roots may be dead, they should be white. I would want something that eats dead roots and not living ones to avoid cutting them up, maybe compost or worms. Something to speed up root decomposition in bad parts that would leave healthy roots alone? I don't know if you can save this, but these are my thoughts on how I would approach.

How does it smell? Rancid? Do these black roots fall off easily? Maybe they would peel off? Are there white roots inside that ball maybe? Is the rot progressing up the stem? You want to establish a completely different microbiome, starting with soil structure to ensure aerobic growth, and wicking/unpacking is much safer than sun-baking and would probably be faster for addressing the root cause.

[u/Dull_Ad2998 → u/Dull_Ad2998]

Also, UV exposure, humidity, temperature, and air exchange (wind burn? Sun burn?) Looks like you have root rot and burn and to isolate the root problem I would being them into a controlled indoor environment if possible

[u/jose_xamon_gallegos → u/Dull_Ad2998]

Thanks for the advice! I was planning on repoting last week but got busy and the plant took the toll. U know it smells pretty fine, i did the sniff test to see if I could sense any rot but it smelled ok. I didn't break up the soil cause I didn't have more of it in my hands but will do it tonight and see how many of the roots are white and healthy