I have a desert rose that in growing in the ground in south Florida. This plant has so far survived despite neglect and having roof part fall on it during a hureicane. It has always had a large root growing horizontal to the plant. Just recently I noticed that this root is rotting. Would it be okay to remove just the rotting root or is it too late for my plant.
Could it be that the bark falling off of the root made the root start to rot? or maybe the roots don't like being covered with mulch and need to have air circulate on them. Not sure, hope someone else can help you more with that. Maybe spray the wounds on those roots with something so they won't get any fungal problems or insects in them and let them get air.
Cut the root off and dust the wound with cinnamon if you feel the need for a wound dressing, IMO the plant would be fine without it.
You'd be surprised what Adeniums can tolerate- caudex carving is an art!
I agree with the above, the root looks like it was damaged either by the roof disaster or maybe garden hoe, spade or just stood on.
Anyway, my advice would be to cut out the diseased / damaged / rotting root as whatever it is causing this damage, it may spread to the other roots or even travel up to the crown of the plant and you could loose the whole plant, I dont mean this will happen over night but us gardeners have a habbit of saying, tomorrows job!!!! and if we dont make a list, how easy we become distracted by other gardening tasks or dreaming or just plane old sitting enjoying the fruits of our labour ha, ha ha, chance would be a fine thing at this time of the year eh!!!!.
Make sure where you cut, you take the damaged part right back to a good bit of root and wash your knife or whatever you used to cut the damage away as it might be spread about if you use the impliment on another plant.
Good luck hope all is well soon. WeeNel.
Thanks for all your help. Yesterday was a dry day so I cut off the root all the way back to caudex (bulb) where it was healthy, and just in case used the cinnamon. Will see how it goes. That caudex carving is fascinating.
