Hello, it's me, your Begonia. I'm not feeling well. My roots are gasping for air in soil that feels more like a swamp than a home. I know you meant to quench my thirst, but now I'm drowning. Please, help me. Here is what I need you to do, step by step.
First, you must be sure I am suffering from too much water, not too little. My leaves, which are usually firm and vibrant, will become soft, limp, and may turn a sickly yellow, particularly the older ones near my base. You might see ugly, dark brown or black spots where the cells have burst from the excess water. Most tellingly, if my stems feel mushy and weak, or if you detect a foul, rotten smell from my soil, my roots are likely already decaying. This is a critical emergency for me.
Your first instinct might be to give me a little drink to perk me up, but please, do not add any more water! My pot's drainage holes are useless if they are blocked or if I am sitting in a saucer full of water. Lift me out of any external dish immediately. I need a complete halt to all hydration so the drowning process stops.
This part requires care. Tip my pot sideways and gently ease me out. You need to see the extent of the damage to my root system. Be slow and patient; my stems and surviving roots are very fragile right now. Do not pull me out by my stem, as it might easily break.
Now, look at my roots. Healthy roots are firm and white or light tan. Rotten roots are the problem—they will be slimy, mushy, dark brown or black, and will likely smell bad. Using clean, sharp scissors or pruners, you must carefully cut away all the rotten roots. This is a life-saving surgery. It feels harsh, but keeping the rotten parts will allow the decay to spread and will surely kill me. Be ruthless for my sake.
After the surgery, gently tease away the wet, clumpy soil from my remaining healthy roots. Do not rinse them with water. Instead, let my root ball air dry on a sheet of newspaper or a clean towel in a warm, shaded area with good air circulation for a few hours. This allows the damaged roots to callous over and helps evaporate the overwhelming moisture. Please, do not put me in direct sunlight to dry, as I am too stressed to handle that intensity.
I cannot go back into my old, soggy, and potentially pathogen-filled soil. You must prepare a new pot for me—one with excellent drainage holes is non-negotiable. Choose a well-draining potting mix; one formulated for African Violets or succulents is perfect, or you can amend a standard potting mix with perlite or orchid bark. Gently place me in the new pot and fill around my roots with the fresh, dry mix. Do not water me immediately.
Place me in a warm location with bright, indirect light. Please wait for about 5-7 days before giving me a small drink of water. This pause allows my injured roots to heal and prevents immediate re-rot. Going forward, only water me when the top inch of my soil feels dry to your touch. I promise to show my gratitude with new, healthy growth when I am strong again.
