Hello, human. I am your Rubber Plant, *Ficus elastica*. I am a resilient being, but I am currently in distress. My roots are drowning, and the dreaded rot has begun to set in. I cannot save myself; I need your help. Here is what you must do, from my perspective.
Before you act, you must understand my language. I do not speak with words, but with my leaves and stems. When you have given me too much water, my roots cannot breathe. They begin to suffocate and decay. I show you this through my leaves turning a sickly yellow, then soft and brown, before they fall off. My stems may feel mushy at the base, and the soil will have a persistently wet, soggy feel and a musty, unpleasant odor. This is my silent scream for help.
You must act with both speed and gentleness. Carefully remove me from my pot. Do not pull me by my stem, as I am very fragile right now. Gently tap and squeeze the pot to loosen the soil ball. Once I am out, you must wash away all the old, waterlogged soil from my root system using a gentle stream of lukewarm water. This will allow you to see the true extent of the damage.
Now, you must become my surgeon. Examine my roots closely. Healthy roots are firm and white or light tan. Rotten roots are mushy, slimy, dark brown or black, and will likely fall apart to the touch. You must remove all of these rotten parts. Using sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears (sterilized with rubbing alcohol to prevent spreading disease), carefully cut away every single affected root. Be ruthless but precise; any rot left behind will spread. This is a life-saving amputation.
After the pruning, my remaining healthy roots are vulnerable. To protect me and prevent any lingering fungal issues, you should treat my root system. You can dip my roots in a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide to three parts water, or a copper-based fungicide according to its instructions. This will disinfect the wounds and give me a fighting chance. After this treatment, allow my roots to air dry for a few hours. This is a critical step; do not repot me while my roots are wet.
I cannot return to my old home. That soil is compromised. You must provide me with a new pot that has excellent drainage holes—this is non-negotiable. The pot should only be slightly larger than my remaining root system. Fill it with a fresh, well-draining potting mix. I would thrive in a mix specifically for houseplants, perhaps with a handful of perlite or orchid bark mixed in to increase aeration. Repot me gently, and do not pack the soil too tightly around my roots. They need space to breathe.
My recovery will be slow. Do not water me immediately after repotting. Wait at least a week to allow my roots to settle and any微小 wounds to callous over. Place me in a location with bright, indirect light and stable temperatures. From now on, you must learn to water me correctly. Always check the soil moisture by sticking your finger two inches deep. Only water me when that soil is completely dry. I would rather be slightly thirsty than drown again.
