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[pauln]

Hi, I have a plant I inherited, and from your page, I benevolent its a ficus ginseng. It’s never done particularly well, and at one point only had one of two leaves left on it, but I had brought it back a little.

Lately, neither plant is looking very healthy. One of the two plants has started to droop, and the bulbous root part looks like it’s getting wrinkled up, like it’s dry, and is no longer firm. Any suggestions? I can send pics, if possible.

Thanks!

Paul

[Fatzo]

Hi Paul! Pics would definitely help.

If the bulbous part is both wrinkly and mushy, it may be due to over-watering. How do you water? Usually it’s best to water by taking the pot to the sink, watering, and then letting excess water drain out from below. Only when all the water has run out can you put it back in the potholder.

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Loving the season!

[pauln]

Thanks the bulbous last is mushy, like it’s getting empty. I’ll send pics! The plant on the left is the one in most trouble, though the other one is droopy too. Maybe I over watered them?

[Fatzo]

Hey Paul, I think what you have is Adenium – also called desert rose. It’s really closer to succulents than it is to other plants. And it’s much more fragile than Ficus ginseng. Adenium is much better off if you forget to water it from time to time, than if you overwater. For me, leaves curling like they are and mushy roots are a clear sign of overwatering. I’m supposing your pot has a hole at the bottom, but maybe it’s plugged shut or stuffed with soil ? Try repotting but with a full inch or even two of gravel or clay pebbles at the bottom. For now I’d stop watering entirely until completely dry.

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Loving the season!

[pauln]

Thanks a lot for your help! I think the hole on the bottom is ok, but will add a layer of gravel on the bottom to make sure I have good draining. I hope it’s able to recover. Intuitively, I think of the mushy root as a sign that it doesn’t have enough water, since the bulb seems to be holding less! I’ll let you know if it comes back!

Thanks again!

[Fatzo]

‘course! Would love to see it revive!

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Loving the season!

[Author]

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