From my perspective, the excess water you've given me is a crisis. My roots, my lifeline, are drowning. They are surrounded by water, which pushes out the oxygen from the soil that I desperately need to breathe and function. You might notice my leaves turning a pale green or yellow, becoming soft and mushy to the touch instead of firm and vibrant. I might look wilted, droopy, and sad, even though the soil is wet—a clear sign my roots are rotting and can't uptake water or nutrients anymore. The base of my stem might feel soft. If the situation is severe, you might even see mold or fungus growing on the surface of the soil. I am showing you all this because I am struggling to survive.
The first thing you must do is stop watering me immediately. Any more water will only worsen the crisis and push me closer to death. Gently lift me out of my current pot. You need to see the extent of the damage to my root system. Carefully examine my roots. Healthy roots should be firm and white or light tan. If they are dark brown, black, slimy, and emit a foul, rotting smell, those are the rotten ones. They are no longer functional and are actually a source of decay that can spread.
This step is critical for my survival. Using a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears, you must carefully trim away all the soft, mushy, and rotten roots. Be ruthless but precise; leaving any rotten material behind will allow the decay to continue. After each cut, it's a good idea to wipe the blades with a disinfectant (like rubbing alcohol) to prevent spreading any potential disease. Once all the rot is removed, you can gently tease apart my remaining healthy root ball to help me recover.
Do not put me back into the old, soggy soil. I need a fresh, well-draining home. Choose a new pot that has excellent drainage holes—this is non-negotiable. The new potting mix should be light and airy; a mix designed for cacti and succulents is ideal because it drains very quickly and prevents water from pooling around my sensitive roots. Gently place me in the new pot and fill around my roots with the fresh, dry mix. Do not water me immediately. I need a few days for my trimmed roots to callous over and heal; watering now could cause them to rot again.
Place me in a location with bright, indirect light. Direct, hot sun might be too stressful for me in my weakened state. After about 5-7 days, you can give me a small, careful drink of water. From now on, please only water me when the top inch of my soil feels completely dry to your touch. I am a Cornflower and prefer conditions on the drier side rather than constantly wet feet. Your careful observation and adjusted care will allow me to focus my energy on growing new, healthy roots and eventually returning to my strong, flowering self.
