Hello. From my perspective, the first sign of trouble is often felt, not seen. My roots are suffocating. The excess water in the soil has filled all the air pockets, driving out the oxygen my root cells need to respire and function. Without oxygen, they begin to die and rot. This rot can then spread. You might notice I'm not as perky; my leaves are turning pale, yellow, or even brown and mushy at the base. I might feel limp and look generally unhappy. The most critical step is to stop adding more water immediately. Any further water will only accelerate the anaerobic conditions and root rot, pushing me closer to death.
If the soil is consistently soggy and I'm showing severe signs of distress, I need to be removed from my waterlogged environment. Gently lift me out of my pot. You will need to inspect my root ball carefully. Healthy roots are firm and white or orange. Rotten roots are mushy, brown or black, and will likely fall apart easily and smell bad. Using clean, sharp scissors, carefully trim away all the rotted roots. This is a lifesaving surgery for me; leaving the rot will allow it to spread. Be thorough but careful not to damage any healthy roots that remain.
My old soil is compromised and likely compacted. I need a fresh, well-draining potting mix to recover. A standard potting mix amended with perlite or orchid bark is ideal, as it ensures excellent drainage and aeration around my remaining healthy roots. Choose a pot with ample drainage holes. The new pot can be the same size as the previous one, or even slightly smaller if a significant portion of my root system was removed. A pot that is too large will hold excess water around my reduced root system, repeating the original problem. Gently place me in the new pot with the fresh soil, being careful not to pack the soil too tightly around my roots.
After the trauma of repotting, I am very vulnerable. Do not water me immediately. This allows any minor root injuries from the trimming to callus over, preventing further rot. Place me in a location with bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight will be too stressful while I'm weak. I need to focus my limited energy on regenerating my root system. Only after a week or so should you give me a modest drink of water. From then on, please only water me when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. I much prefer to be slightly underwatered than overwatered. Hold off on fertilizing for at least two months, as my tender new roots can be burned by fertilizer salts.
