Stem rot jade plant is a common Jade problem among its parents. It is a bacterial soft rot on Jade plants that Pectobacterium, Dickeya species, and certain Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Clostridium species can cause. Bacterial soft rot affects succulents and other plants causing them to become soft, watery, and black. However, you cannot treat the rot parts, but you can control the spreading of soft rot to healthy parts of your Jade and succulents.
Hi, I’m a horticultural consultant (I have a PhD in plant protection science). Join me in this post to help you Fix your sick Jade from one of the trouble problems. Let’s get going.
What Is Bacterial Soft Rot Jade Plant?
Bacterial soft rot describes a group of diseases that damage succulents, fruits, tubers, fresh stems and bulbs of plants in nearly every plant family however, woody tissues of plants are not susceptible. Soft rot bacteria degrade pectate molecules that bind plant cells together, thus causing plant structure to fall apart, so:
- Initially, you will see water-soaked spots on the infected stems and leaves.
- Very soon these spots enlarge and become sunken and soft.
- Because the interior tissues beneath the spots become mushy from cream to black with a strong, disagreeable odour that accompanies the breakdown of plant tissue. It is along with seepage too.
Various Bacteria can cause stem rot jade plant, most commonly species of Pectobacterium [particularly Pectobacterium carotovorum (previously called Erwinia carotovora)], Dickeya species [particularly Dickeya dadantii (previously called Erwinia chrysanthemi)], and certain species of Pseudomonas, Bacillus and Clostridium are reported as bacterial soft rot.
If you want to know how your Jade plant is infected by bacterial soft rot, they can enter your Jade through wounds caused by tools, insects (like Mealybugs, Aphids, mites, funds gnats, other tiny bugs on houseplants), and severe weather such as hail, as well as through natural openings.
In addition, insects, contaminated tools, or even infested plant debris, soil, or contaminated water can spread the bacterial soft rot from one plant to others.
Suitable Conditions for Spreading Bacterial Soft Rot on Jade Plant
- The stem rot jade plant can occur over a wide temperature range (with the worst decay between 70 and 80°F).
- This Jade plant disease is particularly severe when oxygen is limited.
- Bacterial soft rots tend to be more of a problem during wet weather.
- They also can be more severe when plants lack sufficient calcium.
How do I save a Jade plant with bacterial soft rot?
Now, come on to tell you how to deal with bacterial soft rot jade plant:
- There are no treatments once soft rot bacteria have infected plant tissue. In this situation, the best practice is to cut away the affected parts. Use a blade that’s been dipped in an antibacterial solution to cut away the diseased parts of the plant
- Never bury or compost this material because it will spread disease to other plants.
- Spray the remaining plant with a systemic bactericide made for succulents.
- Use fresh, clean potting mix to repot the plant.
How to Prevent Bacterial Soft Rot on Jade Plant?
- Avoiding wet conditions is key for managing soft rot.
- Planting in well-drained soils.
- Make sure your jade plant’s pot has good drainage. Terracotta clay pots are more porous, which helps the soil dry out faster.
- Controlling the watering times and amounts (ensure your Jade plants are watered adequately and uniformly but not excessively).
- Avoid crowding plants: wider spacing will promote more rapid drying of plants and soil.
- Add calcium fertilizers (e.g., bone meal) at planting as needed.
- Decontaminate your garden tools before and after use by treating Jade plants (Pruning branches, turning the topsoil upside down, and so on) for at least 30 seconds with 10% bleach or preferably (because of its fewer corrosive properties), 70% alcohol. Rubbing alcohol and many spray disinfectants typically contain approximately 70% alcohol.
- Treat any wounds on your plant with a fungicide and bactericide as soon as possible.
Conclusion,
Bacterial soft rot is a Common Jade plant disease that can cause collapse and rot symptoms from the inside out. you will spot the infected parts soft, watery, and black. The main stem may be primarily affected, or the disease can quickly progress to the foliage.
If you don’t catch bacterial soft rot early, there’s no cure and you should throw away the infected plant. If you spot it early you must remove the plant from the pot, trim away rotting roots, and prune back the foliage. Then, wash the pot with bleach water and dip the roots in a fungicide solution. Repot the plant in new, clean potting soil.
Warm temperatures, high relative humidity, and leaf wetness are ideal conditions for bacterial soft rot. So, to prevent bacterial soft rot on the Jade plant, you should avoid spraying leaves and over-watering. You must also regularly scout plant material in propagation and quickly remove and destroy plants with soft rot symptoms. Disinfect equipment used to handle propagation material.
Elahe Rabiei
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.