Guys please help, are they both a goner or can they be saved? 🙏

The one on the left is definitely badly rotted. I'd probably pull that one out. I'm not familiar with the species, so I'm not sure if you could potentially cut above the rotted section, where the green top is, callous it, and get it to root? Someone else will have some better input there though. I'm not sure if that's a possibility.

The one on the right doesn't look so bad. I can't tell if it has rot at the base or if it's just slightly darker coloration. Does the base of that one feel soft at all?

How long have they been in that pot. Does the pot have a drain hole. The soil needs help! Look at this post: Soil for cacti and other succulents on this site. It is very helpful.
You might be able to cut the rotting one at the circled area. Let it dry/callous. then plant in new soil. I would say new soil for both. Would hate to see you lose such nice cactus.




Good Luck

Looks like the rot on the left one may be spreading to the right one.
You should take them out of their pot and get rid of the rot.
Yes you may be able to take a cutting from the top of the rotten one. Just be certain that the cut edge is clean and white. No brown rot so keep cutting until you have a clean surface, then let it callus and start a new plant.
The rot may be in the soil so remove it and if the right hand plant looks healthy then pot it up with new well drained mix.
A photo of the base of the right hand plant after removing the soil might help us diagnose it. If any part of the trunk is mushy it should be cut away and allowed to heal.

Thank you guys so much for the advice. I really want to save them. They have been in that pot (without hole) for years without issues but I'll get a new one for them.

Just to clarify how does "let it dry/callous" work?

Thanks so much!

You want to let the cutting dry and harden before planting. Basically waiting for it to heal over, like a scab.

If you pot it before it callouses, it'll rot again. I typically leave my cuttings for 7-10 days in a windowsill to heal over before potting them.

Hi all, I've done the surgery and am letting them dry out now. Few more questions if you don't mind.

1. How long should they dry out? Ten days too much?

2. How deep do I plant them into the new soil?

3. Do I need to cut the arms off the big chuck before planting?

Thanks so much for your help!!!

A week is fine. What matters most is that you don't water immediately after potting them up. Maybe wait another week to start watering. There will be no roots for a few weeks to a few months so any water you put into the soil will only leave through evaporation. I would recommend burying the minimum required for stability (like 1-2cm) so as to avoid leaving too much succulence below ground level. You can plant the big cutting intact but try to find a place for it where it will be safe from passing traffic, as it will tend to go sideways at the slightest provocation until it is well rooted.

Be prepared for your cuttings to sit there apparently doing nothing even after they have properly rooted... new growth may be seasonal and not evident until well into next year. Do not overwater over the winter to avoid further complications due to rot. Consider what may have gone wrong to provoke the initial meltdown, in order to avoid another one. Provide the strongest light you possibly can indoors, like right in front of your sunniest southerly facing window.

Baja_Costero said:. Consider what may have gone wrong to provoke the initial meltdown, in order to avoid another one. Provide the strongest light you possibly can indoors, like right in front of your sunniest southerly facing window.

@Simonetta123
Please consider planting into a pot with a drain hole this time .It will dramatically reduce the risk off this type of problem. If you like the current pot you can drill a hole into it (you will need a drip tray ) but this a small price to pay for the peace of mind.
Also lots of good advice the threads on soil and watering . The key to success is adopting the right approach for your situation.You can read on these threads how we all have approached these areas related to our own environments. There are many roads to success (and a few to failure as well)
Good luck with the re-root , let us know how it goes
The thread "Soil for cacti and other succulents" in Cactus and Succulents forum
The thread "Watering your cacti and other succulents" in Cactus and Succulents forum
Steve

You will probably need some support for the large plant. I've use several large rocks around the base. Or something like this photo. Whatever works to keep it upright. Good luck and keep us posted.

Forgot. Here is an image of the callous forming on the cut. This gives you an idea of what you're looking for before planting.

You guys are amazing, thank you so much for all the advice. I'll make sure to pot him into a pot with a hole next week! Will keep you posted.

Best,
Simonetta

Best of luck!

Take a good hard look at the base sections on both plants. Any clues? The plants are rotting from the base up. What does that tell you? Guess what will happen if you continue to grow plants in high organic, slow draining mixes and in a plastic pots without any drainage holes? I hope you enjoy shopping for and buying plants.

That your plants lived for a few years under your cultural conditions is a miracle. Sheer luck.

You can try re-rooting the tops, after the stems form a callous, but if you don't correct that growing medium, you newly rooted plants will also rot, again.

Plants growing in plastic containers need special mixes that drain quickly ....from out of drainage holes in the bottom of containers. Succulents hate having roots growing in stagnant swamps. Roots respond by rotting and taking the top along with them.

Grow succulents in a quick draining mix, in full sun, in heat, and water infrequently with fertilizers. Make sure the container has holes.

Good luck.