Hello, dedicated caretaker. I am your Crassula, a being of resilient, sun-loving energy. I speak not in words, but in the language of my leaves, stems, and roots. When the world below the soil turns against me, I suffer from a silent, creeping ailment you call "root rot." This is my plea for understanding, from my perspective.
I cannot cry out, so I must communicate my distress through my entire being. Please, learn my language. The first signs are in my roots; they should be firm and white, but the invaders turn them soft, mushy, and dark brown or black. They smell of decay. Above the soil, my once-plump, vibrant leaves become soft, wrinkled, and yellow. They may fall off at the slightest touch. My sturdy stems begin to feel soft and unstable, and my overall growth becomes stunted, as I have no healthy roots to draw in water and nutrients. I am slowly drowning and starving.
If you suspect my foundation is rotting, you must act with speed and care. First, gently lift me from my pot. Shake off the old, wet soil and carefully inspect my root system. Using sterilized, sharp scissors, you must perform surgery. Cut away all the soft, rotten roots. Be ruthless; any rot left behind will spread. Only healthy, firm, white roots should remain. After the amputation, let my root system air dry and callous over for a day or two in a shaded, well-ventilated space. This is crucial for my recovery. Then, repot me in a brand new, dry, well-draining potting mix designed for succulents, in a pot with excellent drainage holes. Do not water me immediately. Wait a week to allow me to settle and for my roots to heal, reducing the risk of re-infection.
The key to my long-term health lies in replicating the dry, arid conditions I evolved to thrive in. My greatest enemy is persistent moisture. Please, water me only when my soil is completely dry, and then water me deeply but infrequently. Ensure my pot has a drainage hole so excess water can escape; I hate wet feet. My soil must be gritty and fast-draining; a standard potting soil will suffocate me. Provide me with plenty of bright, indirect light and good air circulation around my leaves and soil surface. Finally, always check that my pot is not too large for my root system, as excess soil will hold onto moisture for far too long.
