typically, i would either cut off the cutting or dump the whole thing and won't waste time on problem like this. too many cuttings to worry about just one. 

so it's my Maltese Beauty, by the way, the other one just broke bud, so i have a back up. 

the wood above the top node was rotted. not sure how that happened. but it did. instead of letting it rot further down to the node, i cut close to the top node. it's mostly dry and doesn't seem to be much of an issue. 

then i noticed mold forming on the cut i made. not sure how that happened either. i used clean shear. 

i've been spraying physan 20 on it for few days and today decided to just seal that end with a wax. 

the top node has nice branch growing. 

if that rot spread down further than the top node, i would have to cut that node off. far below where the next node is and also another nice branch growing. 

what would you do in this case? i do want to save this one since it's growing so nicely.. other that that rot on the top cut. should i leave the wax on? move it since it will just hide the rot? just remove the top node and hope the rot didn't spread down and save the bottom node? 

not sure what the right thing to do is. if it wasn't Maltese Beauty, i would cut the top off and let the bottom node grow into main trunk.

whole plant. 

 

problem node. 

 

If possible to find a way to graft the good branch onto another tree, I would do that.  Would cut the top off, Wouldn't want it to kill the whole cutting....Good Luck.

By cutting close to the top node you may not have got rid of the rot?

I always cut a little farther at least until I reach green cambium with no more brown around.  Sometimes is not enough, need to make sure all the rot is cut off.

I have all my cutting rooted  and in 3 gal pots for this year , so to keep busy i am playing with 1-2 bud cuttings (after i cut the ROt and moldy part of).

A photo would tell a thousand words :)

It depends on a few things.  Does the bottom have roots?  How much cutting is left on the bottom if you cut the top branch off just above the next node down?  A photo would help.  If the bottom has roots I'd cut the top branch part off just above the next node down and try to root the top part with some clonex.  I would leave all of the bottom part of the top cutting on, score it and dip in clonex and root it in a humidity chamber.

it's not a cutting :) i updated the pix above. 

it's rooted, nicely rooted and root reached the draining holes already. as you can see, i put wax on the top cut. problem is the top node has very nice branch as well as bottom node. so even if i cut off the top node, it's not big a deal.. just that i want to keep the top as well as bottom. 

You said you want to keep the top, so I'm no help, but I'll tell what I do anyway :). I almost always set up my cuttings so that I get two shoots growing similar to yours. Although usually I cup the cutting so that the bottom shoot is just a little bit buried and it tends to sprout roots more readily at that node. After the cutting is established and both shoots have put on some growth(like a little bit less than your picture), I cut the the weaker shoot near the main stem with a scissors. I like to  have one main strong trunk form initially, that way the tree focuses all it's growth potential into the single shoot. Later on I top it to encourage branching; but..that's what I like to do.

thing is the top branch is doing so well. it's putting out new leaves every week or so. if the rot spread down past the top node, i might have no choice but to cut off the cutting about 1" from the bottom node. i'll just keep an eye on it. was thinking maybe air layering one of the branches. 

I would just leave and find out what happens. At worst you will lose the top of the branch. Maybe put it out in a well ventilated space.

Needs light 12-14 hrs and reduced humidity. That will result in drying the opening

drying out didn't help much. it was still getting mold. i assume there's still rotting tissue and that's providing mold to take hold. not sure why i put the wax on. i'll watch it and chop it if rot moves down.

I'd try a bit of cinnamon, I haven't had any mold problems since I started using it...

I haven't used cinnamon, but that might work.  Another good anti-fungal agent is tea tree oil (found online or at health store).  I would dilute it but still avoid leaves at this point.  As long as the top shoot is growing, I'd wait before jumping in with the pruners.

Hi Bullet08,
Those two branches seem to be too healthy to cut them.
If you've got mold then there is too much water somewhere ... Humidity too high, or too much watering, or dirt too humid.
But ok, you have the pot in your hands, so you'll be the judge .
This is what I would do:  I would bury that plant deeper, see photo ... The line would be the new dirt top .
This way even if the mold keeps on coming back, chances are that the branches will make their own roots and escape like that ...

 

jdsfrance, that's an idea. which is a good one too. only problem is our soil here is very wet clay. it doesn't drain well. i'm "planning" to put some trees in ground this yr, but i don't think i'll do that with MB. tho, another option is bigger container and bury the whole thing in.. something to think about if the problem gets worse. 

Since you cut it and sealed it i would leave it as is and soon your plant will be enjoying the sun and warm weather unless
Martin sends you more cold and snow.

I like the cinnamon idea because you don't have to dampen. Let that part get some air and dry a bit. Wouldn't cut unless the mold takes out that limb. I also tried spraying moldy areas w isopropyl alcohol and liquid seaweed after applying cinnamon. That worked in some cases but air on the side of dry options. I wonder if baking soda would be a dry option? That one I'd get feedback from others before trying though.

got tired of babysitting it. i put it into garage to sink or swim. i'm sure it will survive. i'll check it daily and if necessary, i'll pull it back into the house. all the trees but few have already broke bud, so i'm very hopeful it will do just fine. 

I was going to suggest do a little air layer between the two nodes and seperate it in about a month.  If the top part survives the mold, you'll have an extra tree.  but I'm sure it'll end up being fine in the long run anyway.

well.. i guess MB is enjoying little less micro managing. it's doing fine in the garage. lol

Maybe all the staring you gave it with your new progressive glasses was the problem!

possible. watched pot never boils...

That's great news! Seems like sometimes we really overthink things.