#3 started showing mold at the lowest stem, which I immediately cut away. This ends the pest resistance test for now. On the bright side, the fungus gnats were successfully eliminated by using the fine sand technique. For the remaining thrips, I’ll be ordering neem oil soon, although they’re barely affecting the leaves at the moment.
Over the week, the mold hasn’t returned, and the plant seems to be recovering without major issues. As for #2, the mother plant, she’s back to growing after a week of stagnation following the stem kink. I decided not to repot just yet since the root mass isn’t too large—no roots are visible through the drainage holes. The plants are still thriving without frequent foliar feedings, and I’ve noticed fewer thrips, likely due to the high humidity.
Things are looking stable, and the plants are on track despite the challenges!