Help wanted - leaky Ariocarpus

[RJC]

Hi I have this rather nice A. retusus furfuraceous which I rescued. I has lost its roots, so two weeks ago I cleaned it up. However, it has what I can only describe as a suppurating wound, which will not stop 'leaking'. The flesh is not discoloured, so I don't think it is rotting, in the usual way at least. Any suggestions as to what to do with it would be vey greatly received. The plant is propped up an a 3.5 inch pot, to give an idea of size. Thanks (as per usual my photo have rotated 90 degrees - apologies)

[Aiko]

That's not looking very good, but hard to judge by these pictures. I would scoop out any gooey stuff that is down there, then allow it all to dry out properly before potting it up again. then hope for the best it will regrow some roots during 2022...

[RJC]

Thanks Aiko; the thing is there isn't really any gooey stuff - it just seems to be breaking down on the surface. I might get the scalpel out and dig out a hole and see.

[Stuart]

I'd give the 'wound' a good dusting with Sulphur (or Sulfur as it's now called) though I wouldn't hold out much hope. I'd feel slightly more hopeful if it was March rather than September. I'd try to root it in pumice though the rot in the root has probably travelled too far into the plant to save it though there's no harm in trying.

Stuart

[RJC]

Just to update - this plant is now rooting. What did I do - Firstly dug out the wound and stuffed the wound with tissue paper, but this didn't work - as soon as I removed it the wound opened up and started oozing again. So then I pressed, yes literally, a few pieces of modular clay (sanikat pink) into the wounds and left it. This spring I placed on a tray of gritty compost (with the modular clay still in the wound), and all now appears okay (famous last words I guess; we'll see what happens this winter!)

[Tina]

One of mine did this a few years ago, leaking for no reason, I just left it and its still alive & growing today.
I wonder if the ooze is like our plasma & keeps the area clean.