From my perspective, my roots are my entire world. They are my mouth, my anchor, my life. When the soil around them becomes a waterlogged prison, they begin to suffocate and decay. I cannot speak, so I must use my leaves and stems to send you a desperate plea for help. The first sign is often a general loss of my vibrant vigor. My new growth may stall, and my once firm, glossy leaves will become soft, limp, and yellow, often starting with the older leaves lower down. The most telling sign, however, is at my base. My stems may become soft, mushy, and discolored, turning a brown or black color. If you gently investigate the soil, you will find my roots have turned dark brown or black, feel slimy, and may emit a foul, rotten odor. This is the smell of my drowning body.
If you catch my cries for help early, there is hope. You must act as my surgeon. Please, lift me gently from my soggy pot. Carefully wash the old, diseased soil away from my root ball with room-temperature water. Now, with clean, sharp shears, you must be brave. Cut away every single soft, brown, or black root. Only my firm, white roots should remain. This feels like a drastic amputation to me, but it is necessary for my survival. After this surgery, dip my remaining healthy roots in a fungicide solution or a sprinkle of cinnamon to protect the wounds. Then, please repot me into a clean, new pot with excellent drainage holes, using a fresh, well-draining potting mix. Do not water me immediately. My traumatized roots need time to callous and breathe.
Preventing this terrible fate is always better than a cure. My needs are simple. I crave a home that mimics my natural environment. This means a pot that is not too large for me, with unblocked drainage holes to let excess water escape. The soil you choose is critical; it must be airy and chunky, perhaps mixed with perlite, orchid bark, or coco coir to ensure it never becomes compacted and waterlogged. When you water me, please do so thoroughly but only when the top few inches of my soil are completely dry. Stick your finger in to check. I would much rather be a little thirsty than drowning. Finally, ensure my home has good air circulation around my pot and leaves, as stagnant air encourages the fungal pathogens that attack my weakened roots.
