First, you must understand the signs I am showing you. My leaves, which are normally firm and plump from storing water, will become soft, mushy, and translucent. They may turn a yellow or even black color, starting from the bottom of my rosette. This is because the cells within my leaves have absorbed so much water that they have burst—a condition called edema. I can no longer function properly. You might also notice my stem becoming soft and black, or a sudden dropping of many leaves at the slightest touch. In the most severe cases, my root system will have begun to rot, turning dark brown or black and becoming slimy, which cuts off my entire water and nutrient supply.
The very first thing you must do is get me out of the soggy, waterlogged soil. Gently tip me out of my pot. Carefully brush away all the wet soil from my roots so you can see the extent of the damage. This step is crucial. Healthy roots should be firm and white or light tan. Use sterile scissors or pruners to carefully cut away any roots that are black, brown, mushy, or slimy. This feels drastic, but it is necessary to stop the rot from spreading up into my stem and killing me entirely. Be ruthless; it is better to have fewer healthy roots than any diseased ones.
After the surgery on my roots, I need time to heal and callous over. Place me in a dry, shaded area with excellent air circulation, away from direct sunlight. You can lay me on a paper towel or a mesh screen. This drying period is not optional; it typically takes anywhere from three days to a full week. My stem and any remaining roots need to form a dry, hardened layer over the cut surfaces. This callus will act as a barrier against fungal and bacterial infections when I am eventually repotted. Do not rush this process. Patience here is the difference between my survival and a relapse of rot.
Once I am fully calloused, it is time to give me a fresh start. Choose a new pot that has excellent drainage holes—terracotta is ideal because it breathes. My new soil must be a very well-draining succulent or cactus mix. You can even make your own by adding plenty of perlite or pumice (about 50/50) to a standard potting soil to ensure it dries out quickly. Gently place me in the dry new soil, but do not water me immediately. This allows my roots to settle and any tiny, unnoticed abrasions to heal without being exposed to moisture, which could restart the rotting process.
To prevent this from happening again, you must learn to water me based on my needs, not a schedule. Do not water me immediately after repotting. Wait at least one week, or even longer, until I show signs of thirst. These signs are subtle wrinkles on my lower leaves and a slight loss of firmness. When you do water, do so deeply, completely soaking the soil until water runs out of the drainage hole. Then, ensure all excess water is emptied from the saucer and allow my soil to dry out completely before you even think about watering again. Always err on the side of underwatering; I am far more tolerant of drought than flood.
