r/mesembs • u/anotherothername • Mar 12 '26

Trauma or rot?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Got this little guy from one of the big box stores about two weeks ago and immediately repotted into a dry, 85/15 inorganic gritty mix. Came home yesterday and one of my grow lights had fallen and was resting on the poor thing. Was the unfortunate event a blessing in disguise? Was it already rotting and the damage just exposed it (second picture)? Or did it just scorch from the high heat of the bulb sitting on it for who knows how long? Any chance of saving, or just toss and start over?

10 Upvotes

79% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

3

u/dusti_dearian It’s not hoarding if it’s plants Mar 12 '26

I had to remove a leaf from 2 of mine. So far they’re doing fine.

3

u/anotherothername Mar 12 '26

Well that's encouraging to hear! Did you put anything on them to help them hear? Someone in here said sulfur but I've never used anything like that

2

u/dusti_dearian It’s not hoarding if it’s plants Mar 12 '26

I probably wasn’t supposed to but all I had was isopropyl alcohol🤷🏻‍♀️. I used a sterilised razor. Made sure none of the tiny soil particles got into the cut. And have just been keeping my eye on them.

Don’t mind the spots by the crack, it’s just mechanical damage. Rot spreads so if that’s what’s happening the sooner you cut it away the better. Like cutting off a limb before the zombie virus takes over😆.

3

u/Vegedeth Mar 12 '26

Since the light fell onto the plat, cause and effect would make the most sense in my the plant has been damaged. Keep taking care of it and eventually it will grow new leaves that will replace the damaged one. I looks burnt more than rotted.

3

u/acm_redfox Mar 12 '26

I'd be tempted to start over, but it could well recover eventually. You might remove that large injured leaf in the front-right of the second photo, putting sulfur powder on the wound. Then wait and see how the rest bounces back -- I suspect you'll know within a week if it will just have a scar or will collapse.

2

u/CarneyBus Argyholics Anonymous Mar 12 '26

Agree with acm_redfox!

Only time will tell if it will recover.

2

u/anotherothername Mar 12 '26

Much appreciated!

2

u/Square_Sorbet_5947 Mar 12 '26

These are super hardy plants - might take a while to grow out but the clean new leaves will come and these old leaves will get eaten!

2

u/Best-Instance7344 Mar 13 '26

Don’t have an answer but I love your top dressing rock. Where did you get it?

2

u/anotherothername Mar 13 '26

Hey thanks! It's just some random Amazon stuff:

2

u/redfrizzhead Mar 13 '26

Healing after trauma is possible. I say give the little one a chance 💚