From my roots, a silent plea for help begins. I feel a profound discomfort, a sogginess and darkness creeping through my root system. The very parts of me that are meant to drink and anchor are failing. You might notice my distress above the soil line. My vibrant green segments, my plump leaves, begin to feel soft, limp, and wrinkled. I am unable to draw up water and nutrients, so I start to dehydrate and shrivel, even if the soil feels wet. My color may fade to a sickly yellow or pale green. In severe cases, you might see me starting to lean or collapse as my structural integrity fails from the base. A foul smell from the soil is the final, unmistakable sign that my roots are decaying and a fungal or bacterial infection has taken hold.
This is a critical and delicate operation for me. Please gently remove me from my current pot. Do not pull on my stems; instead, tip the pot sideways and coax me out. Once I am free, the true extent of the damage becomes visible. Healthy roots on a plant like me are firm and can range in color from white to a tan or reddish-brown. Rotten roots, however, are the problem. They will be dark brown or black, feel mushy and slimy to the touch, and may fall apart easily. They often have a distinct, unpleasant odor. This rot must be completely removed for me to have any chance of survival.
Using a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears is crucial to prevent introducing more pathogens. Sterilize the blades with rubbing alcohol. Now, carefully cut away all the soft, rotten roots. Be ruthless but precise; any rot left behind will continue to spread. You must cut back until you only see firm, healthy tissue. This might leave me with a significantly reduced root system, and that is okay. It is my only path forward. Also, remove any of my stem segments that are severely wilted, mushy, or discolored, as the rot can travel upwards.
After the traumatic pruning, I am vulnerable. Do not repot me immediately. I need time to form a callus over the fresh wounds. Place me in a warm, dry, and shaded area with good air circulation for one to three days. This drying period is essential to seal the cuts and prevent new rot from setting in when I am placed in fresh soil. My stems may look a bit wilted during this time, but this is a necessary step for my long-term health.
My old pot and soil are contaminated. I need a fresh start in a clean, new environment. Choose a pot with excellent drainage holes; an unglazed terracotta pot is ideal as it allows the soil to breathe and dry out more evenly. The pot should only be slightly larger than my remaining root system. The soil mix is vital. I require a very fast-draining, airy medium. A commercial cactus and succulent mix is good, but for even better results, amend it with perlite or coarse sand to increase drainage. When repotting, place me gently in the new pot and fill around my roots with the fresh mix. Do not water me immediately.
My first drink in my new home must be delayed. Wait for about a week after repotting before giving me a thorough but careful watering. This allows my tender, callused roots to settle and reduces the risk of re-infection. From now on, my watering schedule must change. I thrive on neglect rather than over-attention. Water me deeply only when the top few inches of soil are completely dry. Ensure I never sit in a saucer of water. Place me in a location with bright, indirect light as I work to re-establish my root system and return to full health.
