First, you must understand the signs I am showing you. My roots are drowning, deprived of the oxygen they desperately need to function. This suffocation creates a prime environment for fungal pathogens to attack, causing them to rot and turn mushy and brown. Above the soil, my leaves are communicating this crisis. They will become soft, droopy, and yellow, often starting with the lower, older leaves. In severe cases, the stems may feel soft and blackened at the base, and a foul smell might emanate from the soil. I am not just being dramatic; I am fighting for my life.
The single most critical action is to get me out of the waterlogged soil immediately. Gently lift me from my pot. You must now perform a root examination. Carefully wash away the saturated soil from my root system with lukewarm water. This will allow you to clearly see which parts of me are still healthy and which are beyond saving. Healthy roots are firm and white or tan. Rotten roots are mushy, slimy, dark brown or black, and will likely fall apart to the touch.
Using sterilized, sharp scissors or pruning shears, you must courageously cut away all the rotted roots. Sterilization (with rubbing alcohol or a flame) is crucial to prevent spreading any infection. Be ruthless but precise; any rot left behind will continue to spread through my system. Remove all the affected material until only firm, healthy roots remain. This is a drastic measure, but it is the only way to stop the decay from claiming my entire being. You may also need to prune back some of my top growth (leaves and stems) to reduce the demand on my now-smaller root system as it recovers.
Do not put me back into the old, contaminated soil or pot. My old pot must be thoroughly scrubbed and disinfected. Choose a new pot that has excellent drainage holes and is only slightly larger than my remaining root ball; too large a pot will hold excess moisture and risk repeating this trauma. The choice of soil is paramount. You must repot me in a fresh, well-draining potting mix. A blend formulated for indoor plants, amended with perlite, orchid bark, or coarse sand, will provide the aeration and drainage my roots crave to heal and regrow.
After repotting, do not water me immediately. My wounded roots need a few days to callous over and heal; watering right away could cause them to rot again. Place me in a location with bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun, as I am in a weakened state. When you do resume watering, do so deeply but infrequently. Always check the soil moisture first—the top few inches should feel completely dry before you offer water. Ensure that any excess water drains freely from the pot and is never left sitting in a saucer. Your vigilance and changed watering habits are my best chance at a full recovery.
