From our perspective, the first sensation is one of suffocation. Our roots, which require oxygen to breathe and function, are drowning in a saturated medium. The first step you must take is to gently remove us from our container. Carefully lift the root ball out, minimizing any additional stress or damage to our already compromised system. We are very fragile in this state. Gently cradle the root mass and avoid pulling on the stems, as our structural integrity is weakened.
Now, inspect our foundation—the root system. Healthy roots should be firm and white or light tan. The roots affected by rot will be brown or black, feel mushy and slimy to the touch, and may emit a foul, decaying odor. This rot is a fungal disease (often Pythium or Phytophthora) that attacks and kills our tissues. Using sterilized shears or scissors, you must carefully prune away all of these diseased roots. Be ruthless but precise; any remaining rot will spread. This is a life-saving amputation for us. Sterilize your tools between cuts to prevent spreading pathogens.
We cannot return to the old, pathogen-filled, and poorly-draining soil. You must provide us with a fresh, sterile, and fast-draining potting mix. A mix formulated for containers, perhaps amended with extra perlite or coarse sand, is ideal. This new medium will provide the crucial balance of moisture retention and aeration that we desperately need. Ensure the new container has ample drainage holes; sitting in water is what caused this crisis. The new pot can be the same size after such significant root loss, as a pot that is too large will hold excess moisture and could lead to a repeat of the problem.
Place a small amount of the fresh potting mix in the bottom of the clean container. Gently position our pruned root system in the center and carefully fill in around the roots with the new mix. Do not pack the soil tightly; we need it to be loose and airy to facilitate oxygen flow to our remaining healthy roots. Water us lightly after repotting. This "first aid" watering should be just enough to settle the new soil around the roots and provide a minimal amount of hydration. It is critical that you do not overwater at this stage; we are in recovery and cannot process excess water.
Our recovery environment is crucial. Place us in a location with bright, indirect light. Direct, hot sun will be too stressful while we are this vulnerable. With a significantly reduced root system, we cannot support a full canopy of leaves and flowers. You must help by pruning back the top growth by about one-third to one-half. This reduces the demand on the damaged roots, allowing our energy to be directed toward regenerating new, healthy roots. Hold off on fertilizing; our roots are too tender and will be burned by salts in fertilizer. Only water again when the top inch of the new soil feels dry to the touch.
