Root stock dying. Degrafting advice needed

[emacgee]

Howdy,

I picked this astrophytum graft up in CA and flew it back to NC. It has not enjoyed the transition and it appears as though the rootstock is dying off and I would like to save the astrophytum. I don't have grafting/degrafting experience and am at a bit of a loss as to the best approach here. I've read through some degrafting posts/write-ups but am not sure if I should follow the same guidelines given the state of my rootstock. I also understand that Spring is the ideal time to do this and it is most certainly Summer here.

Advice on how to save this plant?

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[DaveW]

A little hard to see, but it just looks like natural corking of the stock. If it is not soft and "squishy" it is OK. The scion has now virtually taken over photosynthesis from the stock, which is now mainly serving as the rootstock and probably could be buried if you want.