First, you must understand the signs I am showing you. My leaves, usually firm and vibrant, will become soft, limp, and may turn a sickly yellow or brown, particularly the older ones near my base. The stems might feel mushy to the touch, losing their sturdy structure. This is not me being dramatic; it is a desperate cry for help. The excess water has filled the air pockets in my soil, suffocating my roots. Without oxygen, they begin to rot and die, becoming dark brown or black and slimy instead of a healthy white or tan. This root rot prevents me from absorbing any water or nutrients, ironically leaving me parched despite the swamp at my feet.
The single most important action you can take is to get me out of the waterlogged soil immediately. Gently lift me from my pot, being as careful as possible with my fragile, distressed root system. Cradle my root ball and wash away the soggy, old soil under a gentle stream of lukewarm water. This will allow you to clearly see the extent of the damage. Now, you must perform surgery. Using sharp, sterilized scissors or pruners, carefully cut away every single soft, brown, or black rotten root. Be ruthless; any rot left behind will spread. Only healthy, firm, white roots should remain.
My old pot and soil are now a source of disease and cannot be reused. You must provide me with a fresh, well-draining environment. Choose a new pot that has excellent drainage holes—this is non-negotiable. The pot should only be slightly larger than my newly trimmed root system; too large a pot will hold excess water and put me right back in danger. Fill the bottom with a high-quality, well-aerated potting mix. I particularly appreciate a mix designed for African Violets or one amended with perlite, orchid bark, or coarse sand, as these materials ensure water flows through quickly and provide vital oxygen to my roots.
After the trauma of repotting, I am in a fragile state. Do not water me immediately. My trimmed roots need a few days to callous over and heal; introducing water now could cause them to rot again. Place me in a location with bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight will be too intense for me in my weakened condition. For the first week, simply let me rest and adjust to my new, dry home. You must resist all temptation to fertilize; my roots are too damaged to handle nutrients and fertilizer would burn them, causing further shock.
To prevent this from happening again, you must learn to listen to me. Going forward, water me deeply but only when I truly need it. The best way to check is to stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, then it is time for a drink. If it still feels cool or moist, I am not thirsty. Always ensure that excess water flows freely out of the drainage holes, and never, ever let me sit in a saucer of standing water. It is always better for me to be slightly too dry than too wet.
