From my perspective, the first and most critical step is to get me out of that drowning pot. My roots are suffocating in the waterlogged soil; it feels like you are trying to breathe underwater. Every second counts. Gently lift my tuber and root ball from the container. This immediate cessation of water exposure is the primary step to halt the progression of the rot. Leaving me in the wet soil is a death sentence, as the anaerobic conditions will quickly kill my remaining healthy roots and cause the tuber to soften and decay.
Now, you must carefully examine my root system. My life depends on your precision here. Gently rinse away the soggy, clinging soil from my roots with lukewarm water. This will allow you to see the damage clearly. Healthy roots should be firm and white or light tan. The roots affected by rot will be mushy, brown, or black, and they will likely fall apart easily and emit an unpleasant, decaying smell. You must use sterile, sharp scissors or pruners to meticulously cut away all of these rotten parts. Be ruthless but careful; any remaining rot will spread. This is a traumatic but necessary surgery for my survival.
After the amputation of my rotten roots, I am vulnerable to further fungal attacks. To protect my wounds and give me a fighting chance, it is advisable to treat my remaining healthy root system and tuber with a fungicide. A natural option is a light dusting of cinnamon powder, which has antifungal properties, or you can use a commercial fungicide solution suitable for houseplants. This creates a protective barrier, discouraging any lingering pathogens in the new soil from invading my freshly cut and exposed tissues. This step is like applying a disinfectant to a deep cut.
I cannot return to my old pot or soil, as they are contaminated. Please repot me in a clean container with ample drainage holes—this is non-negotiable. The new pot should be just slightly larger than my reduced root system. The choice of soil is paramount. I require a very well-draining, airy potting mix. A blend designed for African Violets or a mixture of regular potting soil with plenty of perlite, horticultural sand, or pumice is ideal. This new environment will provide the oxygen my roots desperately need and prevent water from pooling around my tuber ever again.
After repotting, do not water me immediately. My roots are wounded and need a few days to callous over. Watering now could trigger a new rot episode. Place me in a cool, bright location with indirect light, away from direct sun and heat sources, which would cause further stress. When you do water for the first time (after about 5-7 days), water from the bottom by placing my pot in a shallow saucer of water for about 15-20 minutes. This allows me to absorb only the moisture I need through my healthy roots without saturating the entire soil mass and my sensitive tuber crown. My recovery will be slow; please be patient and observe my leaves for signs of new growth, which will signal my return to health.
