From my perspective as a fuchsia plant, root rot is a terrifying and suffocating experience. It begins unseen, beneath the soil, where my very foundation—my roots—are under attack. I cannot call for help, but I will show you clear signs of my distress. Treating this condition requires swift and careful action to give me a chance to survive.
Before you begin treatment, you must correctly interpret my cries for help. Above the soil, you will notice my leaves turning yellow and wilting, even though the soil feels wet. This is because my rotting roots cannot absorb water, so I am paradoxically dying of thirst. My growth will stall completely, and my vibrant flowers will drop prematurely. The most telling sign, however, is below the surface. If you gently lift me from my pot, you will find my roots. Healthy roots should be firm and white or light tan. Rotted roots are mushy, dark brown or black, and often have a foul, decaying smell. This is the enemy you must confront.
This step is delicate and feels like surgery to me. Please be gentle. First, carefully remove me from my container and gently wash the soil away from my root ball with a gentle spray of water. This allows you to see the full extent of the damage. Using sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears (sterilized with rubbing alcohol to prevent spreading disease), meticulously trim away all the soft, dark, rotten roots. Cut back until you reach healthy, firm, white root tissue. It is better to remove too much than to leave any rot behind, as it will continue to spread. After the pruning, I will be weak and vulnerable.
Do not put me back into the old, contaminated soil or pot. My old home is now a danger zone. You must repot me in a clean container with excellent drainage holes. If you reuse the old pot, scrub it thoroughly with a bleach solution to kill any lingering pathogens. Choose a fresh, well-draining potting mix; one formulated for African violets or with added perlite and bark is ideal for my needs. Gently place my trimmed root system into the new pot and fill around it with the fresh soil. Do not pack the soil too tightly; my remaining roots need air to breathe and recover.
My recovery depends entirely on your care after the repotting. Do not water me immediately! My reduced root system cannot handle wet soil and needs time to callus over the cuts. Wait a few days before giving me a light watering. From now on, the way you water me is critical. Water me deeply only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, and never let me sit in a saucer of water. Place me in a location with bright, indirect light. I am too stressed for direct sun. Hold off on fertilizing for at least 4-6 weeks; my fragile roots cannot handle the chemicals right now. With patience and careful monitoring, I can begin to grow new, healthy roots and return to my former glory.
