Before you can help me, you need to understand my cries for help. I am a Crassula, a succulent built for arid environments. My leaves, stems, and roots are designed to store water. When you are too generous, my world becomes waterlogged. My roots, which need oxygen as much as they need water, begin to suffocate and die. This decay is root rot. You will notice I am not my usual perky self. My leaves, normally plump and firm, will become soft, mushy, and may turn yellow or translucent. They might fall off at the slightest touch. The stem near the soil may become blackened, soft, and feel unstable. This is a serious emergency; the rot is spreading through my body, my vascular system, and if it reaches the main stem, I may not survive.
The first and most critical step is to get me out of the soggy, hostile environment. Please, gently remove me from my pot. Be careful, as I am very fragile in this state. Shake off the wet soil and carefully rinse my root system under a gentle stream of lukewarm water so you can see the damage clearly. Now, you must become my surgeon. Healthy roots are firm and white or light tan. Rotted roots are dark brown or black, slimy, mushy, and will likely fall apart in your hands. Using a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears (sterilized with rubbing alcohol to prevent spreading infection), you must cut away every single bit of the rotted roots. Be ruthless but precise. Any rot left behind will continue to spread. Cut back until you only see healthy, firm tissue.
After the traumatic surgery, I need time to heal. Do not repot me immediately! Place me in a shaded, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Leave my bare roots and the base of my stem exposed to the air. This process, which may take a few days to a week, allows the cut ends to form a hard callus. This callus is a natural bandage that seals the wound, preventing new soil bacteria from entering my system and causing a new infection. I may look a little sad and wilted during this time, but this period of drying is crucial for my survival. You will know I am ready when the cut surfaces are dry, hard, and sealed over.
Once I have callused, it is time for a fresh start in a safe, new home. My old pot and soil are compromised. Choose a new pot that has excellent drainage holes—this is non-negotiable. Terracotta pots are ideal for me because they are porous and allow the soil to dry out more evenly. The soil is just as important. You must use a fresh, well-draining succulent or cactus mix. Do not use regular potting soil, as it retains too much moisture. You can even improve the commercial mix by adding extra perlite or pumice for increased drainage. Plant me gently in the new, dry soil, but do not water me yet.
My near-death experience means my relationship with water must change. After repotting, you must resist the urge to water me for at least a week. This gives my tender, new roots time to settle into their new environment and start seeking out moisture, which encourages strong growth. When it is finally time for my first drink, water me thoroughly but infrequently. Soak the soil completely until water runs out of the drainage holes, then allow the soil to dry out almost completely before watering again. Always check the soil moisture with your finger; do not water on a rigid schedule. Going forward, it is always safer for me to be slightly underwatered than overwatered. With this careful attention, I can focus my energy on growing a new, healthy root system and returning to my former glory.
