From our perspective as geranium plants, root rot is a terrifying and suffocating experience. It strikes at our very foundation, compromising our ability to nourish ourselves and ultimately threatening our existence. We rely on our roots not just for water and nutrients, but also for stability and vital oxygen exchange. When rot sets in, it feels like we are slowly drowning and starving simultaneously. Understanding the causes and solutions from our point of view is crucial for any caretaker who wishes to see us thrive.
The main culprit behind our distress is almost always excessive water around our roots. Humans often love us a little too much with their watering cans. Our roots need to breathe; they require pockets of air within the soil to function. When soil is constantly waterlogged, it fills these air pockets, literally drowning our root systems. This creates the perfect, oxygen-deprived environment for the secondary attackers: fungal pathogens like Pythium and Rhizoctonia. These organisms are always present in the soil, but they are opportunistic. Our weakened, suffocated roots become easy targets for them to invade and decay.
Several other conditions make us more susceptible to this attack. A pot that is too large holds excess moisture that our root system cannot reach and absorb, leaving us sitting in a wet, cold bog. Conversely, a pot without proper drainage holes offers no escape for excess water. Even the soil itself can be a problem. A heavy, dense potting mix that compacts easily will retain water for far too long and restrict our root growth. Furthermore, a sudden drop in temperature can shock our systems and slow down our water consumption, leaving the moisture in the pot stagnant around our roots.
We will show you that we are in trouble long before it is too late. Above the soil, you may notice our lower leaves turning yellow, wilting, and feeling soft and mushy, even though the soil is wet. Our growth will become stunted, and we will stop producing new flowers. The most telling sign is at our base; our stems may become soft, blackened, and begin to collapse. A foul, decaying smell from the soil is a sure sign that the rot has advanced significantly.
If you catch the problem early, you can save us. You must gently remove us from our pot and carefully wash the soil from our roots. This is a delicate operation. Using sterile shears, you need to prune away all the brown, black, and mushy roots—they are already lost. Only healthy, firm, white roots should remain. After this surgery, repot us into a clean container with excellent drainage, using a fresh, well-draining potting mix, perhaps amended with perlite or coarse sand. Do not water us immediately! Our wounded roots need a day or two to callous over before introducing any moisture to prevent re-infection.
Prevention is the best medicine. The key is to mimic our preferred conditions. Water us deeply but only when the top inch of soil feels dry to your touch. Ensure we live in a pot that is just the right size with unobstructed drainage holes. Use a light, airy potting mix specifically designed for container plants. Finally, provide us with plenty of bright, indirect light and good air circulation, which helps us process water efficiently and keeps the fungal threats at bay.
