My roots are suffocating and decaying in the cold, waterlogged soil that surrounds me. The human must act immediately. Gently lift me from my pot. This action alone stops the constant assault of excess moisture. Holding the base of my main stem, carefully tap and loosen the pot to free my root ball. I am very stressed, so handle me with utmost care to avoid further damage to my stems and leaves.
Now, the human must look at my foundation: my roots. They will need to gently wash away the saturated soil from my root system using lukewarm water. This will reveal the extent of the damage. Healthy roots are firm and may be white or tan. Rotten roots, however, are the problem—they are mushy, slimy, dark brown or black, and will likely fall apart easily. They also emit a foul, decaying smell. Using sterilized, sharp scissors or pruning shears, the human must cut away all the rotted roots. They must be ruthless; any remaining rot will spread. Only the healthy, firm roots should remain.
After the traumatic surgery, my remaining healthy roots are vulnerable to fungal infection. To protect me, the human should apply an antifungal treatment. They can use a commercial fungicide solution diluted according to its instructions, or a natural alternative like a hydrogen peroxide mix (one part 3% hydrogen peroxide to two parts water) or a cinnamon paste. My root ball should be lightly dipped or sprayed with this solution. This crucial step helps disinfect the wounds left by the pruning and creates a protective barrier against further fungal attacks in my new environment.
I cannot return to my old pot and soil, as they are contaminated. The human must provide me with a fresh, well-draining home. My new pot must have exceptional drainage holes; a terracotta pot is ideal because it breathes, allowing soil moisture to evaporate through its walls. The soil mix is critical. I need a fresh, lightweight, and airy potting mix. A good blend for me would include standard potting soil amended with plenty of perlite and orchid bark to ensure it drains quickly and provides ample oxygen to my recovering roots.
After repotting, the human must not water me immediately. My roots need time to callous over and heal from the pruning cuts. They should wait about a week before giving me a modest drink of water. I should be placed in a location with very bright, indirect light. Direct sun would be too stressful for me in my weakened state. The human must resist fertilizing me; my system cannot handle it and it would burn my tender roots. They must be patient, monitoring my soil moisture only by feeling it an inch or two down and watering only when it is completely dry. My recovery will be slow, and I may drop more leaves as I redirect all my energy to rebuilding my root system.
