jim the submerging of the white part of the leafe causes it to rot. has'nt any one told you that the white part is where the new plant's start from if the plant in question is of mexican decent. ( think of it like a jade plant you pull the leafe off the jade plant and woah without putting it in the soil it makes leaves
... and then adventurus roots to look for water! (i think it's african but similar enviroment)
these plants are from dry arid places, best suted for being disturbed and starting new plants from those scatered but NEVER submerged leafs.
also i suspect your natural light levals of causing your plants to die! invest in a cheepo walmart $6.00 under cabnet light fixture.
right next to them should be the 50cent florecent bulb replacments , get a warm white and a soft white bulb combo.
if you want them to have seasons swap then one day under lights and one day on the window seal.
how much closer to the Equator is mexico again and how much closer to the north pole is michagen ? ( now what place has higher light levels ? north or south , true it's not on the equator but they still are getting more light than us here in the NORTHERN hemisphere!
remember to respect these plants natural amunitys and natural environment .
you can't just through a flytrap out into the saltwater misty air on the beach front and hope for it to adapt....even if you give it the R/o water and good peat .. that kind of person would never think to check for sea salt deposits on the plant leavs of killing there baybe flytrap, now would they ?
hope i don't come acrost as a know it all but i don't realy care , what i do care about is YOUR plants liveing.
!!!!!
good growing