From my perspective, I cannot speak, but I communicate my distress through my leaves and stems. If my roots are rotting in the dark, damp soil, my primary way of telling you is through my foliage. You might notice my large, beautiful leaves becoming soft, droopy, and losing their rigid, glossy posture. They may turn yellow, particularly starting at the edges or in patches between the veins. Most alarmingly, you might see my leaves developing brown spots, often starting in the center of the leaf and spreading outwards, with the spot sometimes feeling mushy. I might also drop my leaves in an attempt to conserve energy. If my stems near the soil line feel soft and mushy instead of firm and woody, this is a critical sign that the rot is advanced.
Root rot is a suffocating and decaying process for me. It is primarily caused by my roots sitting in excess water for too long, which you might provide with overly frequent watering or a pot that doesn't drain. This waterlogged environment pushes out the oxygen my roots desperately need to breathe and function. Deprived of air, my delicate root tissues begin to die and decay. This creates an opportunity for soil-borne fungi, like Pythium, Phytophthora, or Rhizoctonia, to attack the weakened roots. These pathogens accelerate the decay, spreading through my root system and preventing me from absorbing the water and nutrients I need to sustain my upper parts, creating a cruel paradox where I am dying of thirst while my roots are drowning.
To save me, you must act quickly and be decisive. First, you must gently remove me from my pot. Carefully shake and brush away the wet soil to expose my root system. Healthy roots should be firm and white or light tan. Rotten roots will be dark brown or black, mushy, and may fall apart easily or smell foul. Using sterile, sharp pruners, you must courageously cut away all the soft, rotten roots. Be thorough, as any rot left behind will continue to spread. After the surgery, repot me into a clean pot with fresh, well-draining soil. The pot must have excellent drainage holes. This new home gives my remaining healthy roots a fighting chance to re-establish themselves in an environment with air and moisture balance.
After this traumatic event, my recovery depends on your care. Do not water me immediately after repotting, as my damaged roots need time to callous over and any moisture could trigger new rot. Wait until the top few inches of soil are completely dry before giving me a thorough drink, and always empty the saucer underneath afterward. Place me in a spot with plenty of bright, indirect light to help me generate energy for new growth. Most importantly, learn to water me based on my needs, not a fixed schedule. Check the soil moisture with your finger before each watering. With patience and the right care, I will eventually show you my gratitude by pushing out new, healthy leaves from the top of my stem.
