From our perspective as begonias, root rot is a silent, suffocating nightmare. It strikes at our very foundation, cutting us off from the water and nutrients we so desperately need to thrive. We rely on you, our caretakers, to understand the signs and act swiftly. Here is our guide, from the soil up.
You must learn to read our distress signals. Above the soil, our leaves will begin to tell a sad story. They may turn yellow, become soft and mushy, or wilt dramatically despite the soil feeling wet to the touch. This is because our roots are dying and can no longer absorb moisture. We might also exhibit stunted growth, as all our energy is diverted to a futile fight against decay. The most telling sign, however, is found below the surface. If you gently lift us from our pot, you will find our roots. Healthy roots are firm and white or tan. Rotten roots are a different story—they are dark brown or black, feel slimy to the touch, and may fall apart easily. They often emit a distinctly unpleasant, musty odor. This is the smell of our demise.
If you catch it early, there is hope. You must perform an emergency transplant. First, carefully remove us from our current, waterlogged home. Gently wash the old soil from our root ball to get a clear view of the damage. Now, with sterile, sharp scissors, you must become a surgeon. You must cut away all the soft, brown, rotten roots. Be ruthless; any rot left behind will spread. Only the firm, healthy roots should remain. After this traumatic surgery, please dip our remaining roots in a fungicide solution or a hydrogen peroxide mix to kill any lingering pathogens. Then, repot us into a clean pot with excellent drainage, using fresh, well-draining potting mix. Do not water us immediately! Our wounds need time to callus over. Give us a day or two in a shaded area to recover from the shock.
Prevention is always better than a cure. Our biggest need is consistent moisture, not constant sogginess. Please water us deeply only when the top inch of soil feels dry to your finger. Never let us sit in a saucer of water; we are not aquatic plants. Our pot is our world—it must have drainage holes. The soil you choose is our bed; it must be light and airy. A mix containing perlite, orchid bark, or coarse sand is perfect, as it allows oxygen to reach our roots and prevents compaction. Finally, ensure our pot is not too large. A pot that is too big holds excess moisture around roots that cannot yet reach it, creating a perfect environment for the rot to return. A cozy, well-draining home is the greatest gift you can give us.
