From my perspective as a sage plant, wilting after you water me is a deeply confusing and distressing paradox. My leaves droop not from a lack of water, but from an inability to use it. When you apply water to my soil, my roots, which are my entire mouth and drinking system, are compromised. They are suffocating. Healthy roots absorb water and nutrients by taking in oxygen from the air pockets in the soil. When you water me, especially if my pot has poor drainage or the soil is too dense, those precious air pockets flood and disappear. My roots begin to drown, and a wilting, waterlogged plant is the result.
The primary cause of my suffering is likely a condition you call root rot, caused by fungi like Pythium or Phytophthora. These pathogens thrive in the anaerobic (oxygen-less) environment you accidentally created. They attack my root system, which is my lifeline. From my point of view, it starts subtly. The fine, hair-like feeder roots that are responsible for uptake are the first to be invaded and killed. They turn from a healthy white or tan to a mushy, dark brown or black. As the rot progresses, it moves to my larger, structural roots. This destruction means I can no longer drink, no matter how much water surrounds me. The wilting you see in my leaves is me starving and dehydrating from the bottom up.
My wilting is my most obvious cry for help, but I show other signs if you know how to read them. My leaves may turn yellow (chlorosis) because I cannot uptake the nutrients needed to maintain their green chlorophyll, even if those nutrients are present in the soil. They might feel soft and limp rather than dry and crispy. In severe cases, the base of my stems may become soft and dark. A tell-tale sign of advanced root rot is a distinct, unpleasant odor coming from the soil—a smell of decay caused by my roots literally rotting away.
To save me, you must act quickly. First, you must gently lift me from my pot and inspect my root system. Healthy roots are firm and resilient. Gently wash the soil away to get a clear view. Using sterilized shears, you must carefully cut away all the soft, mushy, and dark-brown roots. Be ruthless; any rot left behind will spread. After the surgery, repot me into a clean pot with excellent drainage holes, using fresh, well-draining potting mix. You can amend the mix with perlite or coarse sand to ensure it stays airy. Water me sparingly, only when the top inch of soil is dry, to allow my remaining healthy roots to breathe and begin to recover. I need time and careful observation to grow new roots and finally stand strong again.
