Polaskia chichipe Rot: The Overwatering Reality Check

Direct Diagnosis

Overwatering. Period. The "cacti need lots of water" myth kills more plants than anything. They store water; excess causes root fungi → wrinkled stems, discoloration, arm weakness, clear fluid leakage.

Rescue Protocol

1. Stop all watering.
2. Unpot; inspect roots.
3. Cut spongy/discolored tissue back to firm green.
4. Dust with fungicide/charcoal.
5. Callous 2+ weeks.
6. Repot in fast-draining mix.
7. Water only when bone-dry; then drench.

Survival Variable

Depends on rot extent. Precautions now prevent recurrence. The clear fluid from spines is cellular breakdown—tissue death.

Hard love: dryness is life for these plants.