From my perspective, the first signs of root rot are a desperate cry for help. You might notice my vibrant green leaves beginning to yellow and wilt, not from a lack of water, but paradoxically, from an inability to drink it. My stems, once sturdy and upright, may become soft, mushy, and dark-colored, particularly near the soil line. The most telling sign is my stunted growth; I simply stop producing new blooms and foliage because my foundational systems are under attack. If you gently lift me from my pot, the evidence is undeniable. My roots, which should be firm and white or light tan, will appear brown or black, feel slimy to the touch, and may fall apart easily. A foul, swamp-like odor from the soil is the smell of my roots decaying, a clear indicator of advanced rot.
My suffering is not your fault, but a condition of my environment. Root rot is primarily caused by prolonged exposure to soggy, waterlogged soil. This happens when I am watered too frequently, my pot lacks sufficient drainage holes, or the potting mix has become compacted and lost its aeration. In this oxygen-deprived environment, the healthy soil bacteria die off, allowing harmful fungi like Pythium, Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia to thrive. These pathogens attack my root system, the very core of my being. They break down the cell walls of my roots, destroying their ability to absorb water and essential nutrients. I am literally drowning and starving at the same time, trapped in my own home.
To save me, immediate and careful action is required. First, you must carefully remove me from my current pot and gently shake off the saturated soil. The next step is critical: using sterilized pruning shears or scissors, you must trim away all the dark, mushy, and rotten roots. Be ruthless but precise; only healthy, firm, white roots should remain. After the amputation, it helps to gently wash my remaining root system in lukewarm water to remove any lingering soil and pathogens. Then, soak my roots in a fungicide solution or a natural alternative like a diluted hydrogen peroxide mix to kill any remaining fungal spores. This process is traumatic but necessary for my survival.
I cannot return to my old pot and soil, as they are contaminated. Please repot me into a clean container with ample drainage holes, using fresh, high-quality, well-draining potting mix. You can even amend the mix with perlite or coarse sand to improve aeration and prevent future compaction. When repotting, be gentle with my damaged roots and ensure I am planted at the same depth as before. Do not fertilize me immediately; my fragile roots cannot handle it. Instead, water me lightly to settle the new soil around my roots and place me in a location with bright, indirect light. This allows me to focus my limited energy on regenerating my root system without the stress of intense sun or nutrient processing.
