Hello, it's me, your Calla Lily. I'm not feeling well, and I need your help. My roots are drowning down here. You might notice my leaves are turning yellow, starting from the bottom, and they feel soft and mushy, not firm and strong. My beautiful, elegant flowers might be drooping or developing unsightly brown spots. The soil around my base is constantly wet and may even have a musty, unpleasant smell. This is my way of crying out. I'm suffering from root rot, a condition where my roots can't breathe and are starting to decay, which means I can't take up water or nutrients properly.
The very first thing you must do is stop watering me. Immediately. Every additional drop of water is suffocating me further. Please move my pot to a shaded, airy space away from direct, harsh sunlight. I am very weak right now, and strong sun will only stress me more, accelerating my decline. The goal now is to slow down the water evaporation from my soil and give my roots a chance to recover from their waterlogged state without the added stress of intense heat.
This next step is crucial for my survival. You must gently remove me from my pot. Carefully cradle my base and tip the pot sideways, supporting me as I come out. Once I'm out, you need to inspect my root system. Healthy roots should be firm and white or tan. If they are dark brown or black, mushy, and slough off easily, that is root rot. Using clean, sharp scissors or pruners, you must carefully cut away all the rotted parts. This feels like a major surgery to me, but it is necessary to stop the decay from spreading. Be ruthless but careful; any rot left behind will continue to kill me.
I cannot go back into that old, soggy soil. It is full of pathogens and is poorly structured. Please prepare a new home for me. Choose a pot that has excellent drainage holes—this is non-negotiable. The new potting mix must be fresh, sterile, and well-draining. A mix designed for bulbs or a general potting mix amended with perlite or coarse sand is perfect. This new environment will allow air to reach my remaining healthy roots and prevent water from pooling around them ever again.
After repotting, do not water me immediately. My roots are wounded and need a day or two to callous over to prevent new infections. When you do water me for the first time, be very sparing. Going forward, you must change your ways. Please only water me when the top inch or two of my soil feels dry to your touch. I prefer a deep, thorough drink that allows excess water to flow freely out the bottom, followed by a period where my roots can access oxygen. With patience and this new care routine, I will focus my energy on regenerating my root system and, in time, will reward you with healthy new growth.
