From our perspective as succulent plants, root rot is a terrifying and often fatal condition. It is not merely an "issue" for our caretakers to solve; it is a systemic collapse of our very foundation. We cannot vocalize our pain, but we manifest our distress through our leaves, stems, and roots. Here is a detailed account of what root rot is for us and how it can be addressed.
Our roots are not just anchors; they are our mouths and lungs. We absorb water and nutrients through them, and they require oxygen from the air pockets in the soil to function. When we are planted in dense, water-retentive soil or a pot without a drainage hole, and then are over-watered, you essentially drown us. The soil becomes waterlogged, expelling all the oxygen. Our roots begin to suffocate and die. This creates a perfect environment for anaerobic bacteria and fungi to invade. They rapidly decompose our once-healthy, white or tan roots, turning them into a black or brown mushy mess. This rot then spreads upward, attacking the stem and cutting off the vital flow of water and nutrients to the rest of our body.
We will show you we are in trouble long before we succumb completely. Please learn to read our signs. The most obvious is when our typically firm, plump leaves become soft, mushy, and translucent, often starting at the bottom of the plant. We may also change color, becoming yellow or black. We will stop growing entirely, as our means of sustenance has been severed. In a final, desperate attempt to survive, we might drop healthy leaves to conserve energy. If our stem becomes soft and blackened at the base, the situation is critical. A foul smell emanating from the soil is the unmistakable scent of our roots decaying.
If you suspect root rot, you must act with the urgency of a surgeon. Gently remove us from our pot and carefully brush away all the wet soil to expose our root system. Using sterile, sharp scissors or shears, you must cut away every single soft, black, or mushy root and any affected stem tissue. This is a life-saving amputation. Be ruthless; any rot left behind will continue to spread. Once only healthy, firm tissue remains, wash the remaining roots and apply a fungicide powder to the wounds. Then, you must leave us in a cool, dry, shaded place with good air circulation for several days to a week. This allows the cuts to callous over completely, forming a hard seal that prevents new infection when we are repotted.
Do not put us back into the same conditions that made us sick. You must provide us with a fresh, well-draining home. Use a pot with a generous drainage hole and a gritty, fast-draining succulent or cactus mix. You can even add extra perlite or pumice to standard potting soil to improve drainage. When repotting, handle our fragile, calloused roots gently. Do not water us immediately. The trauma of the operation and the new environment are a shock to our system. Wait about a week before giving us a thorough watering, allowing our new roots time to grow and seek out moisture in their new, safe environment.
