Tropicals & Tender Perennials: My first starter epi. Is this rot? Virus?, 1 by Seaecho

Seaecho wrote:
My little starter unknown epi has something going on at the base, and I'm afraid its not good. I'm a newbie with epis. The stem was firm when I got it (2 months ago) and now it feels much less firm, and with less substance. I had to cut off the top one inch, as it was bending over. Just yesterday, I noticed this discoloration at the base. I'm in S. Calif. Its in a west window, gets an hour or so of afternoon sun a day (dappled) and is misted daily, is in a half and half peat and perlite mixture in a 4" pot. I only water it when the soil is almost completely dry. Only about once every 2 weeks. Its very dry here--humidity is only about 20% on average. I want to save it if possible! Thanks in advance.
Randi