My Desert Rose Needs Help.

Question

Hi, I have a desert rose which use to be really healthy. Bushy from the trunk upwards and really shiny bright green leaves. Now, browning dots on leaves, leaves frequently dying. A while ago, its 3 stems shot up and got tall and dropped all the leaves apart from its tips, and after that not alot had happened except leaves became oddly tight and wavy, some small stem shoots around the trunk which never progressed. In the 2 years I’ve had it, it never grew to even 30cm tall. And has only ever had 2 blooms, the first consisted of 5 flowers only and the second only had one open flower and a bud that died before opening. Because I felt my plant was sick, and I wasn’t recieving help from anywhere I posted, I decided to cut the three tall stems to preserve its energy on the stems around the trunk. Now the cuts seem to have mould of a sort, the stems on the trunk are still dropping leave and browning (looking abit scraggly) I am sad because I love this plant and don’t know what’s wrong or how to help it. It gets plenty of sun, it’s in its own pot, and recently I haven’t watered it but the unpredictable weather gave it water some night (perhaps A lil too much) I am in a tropical part of Australia where we are in winter right now, but this has been happening even before the winter season

Answer 1

This is a fungal infection. Originally, it likely started with an overwatering. They are extremely drought tolerant and will not tolerate overwatering.

Correction will consist of fungicide use. It will need to be done according to all instructions, as a single dose will not correct the issue.

Here are some articles that will help you:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/biofungicide-information.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/homemade-fungicide.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/desert-rose/caring-for-desert-rose-plants.htm