Desert Rose Root Rot: Radical Root Pruning with Bleach

Saving Adenium with Mushy Roots and Soft Arms

Desert rose (Adenium) has mushy roots, soft arms, hard trunk. Root pruning may save it if caught early.

Procedure

1. Remove soil, expose roots.
2. Have 10% bleach solution ready.
3. Cut mushy roots back to creamy white tissue; dip tool in bleach between cuts.
4. Soak entire root system in bleach 1 min.
5. Rinse 2× 5 min in clean water.
6. Air dry roots (critical—callus forms). Cover top with damp towels + black bag (no sun).
7. Prune top growth 50%+ to reduce transpiration.
8. Repot in fast-draining mix.

Warning

Radical, may fail. Doing nothing = certain death. Worth trying for valued plant.