On several occasions we have warned you that irrigation is one of the most important care for plants. In fact, a bad watering can kill it. However, if it happens to you, you should know that all is not lost. There are actually ways to save her. But, How to recover a plant with excess water?
If you are one of those who usually drowns plants and you are fed up with them dying for this very reason, take a look at this that we have prepared to help you save it, or at least, to have more opportunities for it to succeed.
How to know that we have gone too far with the water
The first thing you have to know is if your plant really has excess water or not. There are some who do not like this, while other plants are comfortable in this situation.
Now, those who do not like what happens to them is that the plant is not capable, through the roots, of exchanging gases, of absorbing nutrients... It is what is called "root asphyxia". And basically what happens is that your plant is drowning because the roots cannot do anything they need to and it is "intoxicating" the entire plant. In addition, the dreaded fungi will appear, which could completely destroy the plant.
Among the symptoms that you will notice when your plant has an excess of water are:
- Weakening. Notes as if the plant withered or was sad.
- yellowing Especially the lower leaves.
- Fall of leaves and flowers.
- Leaves that turn brown (or that grow and turn brown even when they have not opened.
- Substrate too wet (it falls apart, makes the plant wobble).
How to recover a plant with excess water
Now that you have the symptoms, and that even at first glance you will see that the plant has extra water, it is time to act. And we would tell you that the speed (speed) with which to act can determine saving it or not.
For example, if you realize you've overwatered and you overwater an hour after you've overwatered It has more solution than if you realize when you are going to water it again a week.
Still, we recommend you try. You never know, maybe it's strong enough to hold on. Or maybe, the one that had been watered down for less time in the end dies.
And what to do? We give you several steps:
Take the plant out of the pot
This is the first step and the first thing you need to do as quickly as possible. It is not enough just to take it out of the pot and that's it. No.
You have to get it out, get as much dirt out of it as possible. Everything, that is left only with the roots in the air. Try to do it slowly and carefully so as not to break the roots or damage the plant itself. The goal is to remove as much soil as possible and keep it in the air (i.e. no more watering, potting, or covering with soil) for about 12-24 hours.
check the roots
After that time you will face the situation you have caused. That is, you will know if the plant lives or dies, or if it is still strong enough to survive.
And how do you get that? With the roots. If you notice that the roots are white, be happy because it means that nothing has happened to them. But, if these are black, or are rotting, then the only solution is to prune them as soon as possible to clean up the plant and prevent them from growing.
Of course, if they are all black and break with nothing, it will indicate that the plant no longer has a solution. You can try to save her, but it's going to be very, very difficult.
apply fungicide
Once you have pruned the roots that are bad and you have checked the condition of all of them, it is time to apply a fungicide to prevent, or so you can fight that plague and have a better chance of getting ahead.
In the market you can find several options, just make sure it is good and that you can apply it to the roots without problem.
Transplant
The next step you must take to recover a plant with excess water is to replant. And here you have to take into account several things:
- If you use the same pot (which you can), before planting again, wash and disinfect it. It seems silly, but the fungus that may be on it will not affect the already weak plant.
- Do not use the same soil that you took from it. TOeven though it has dried. You can throw that one away since it can be a source of fungus for other plants (or for this one).
- Make a mix with new soil and perlite. In fact, perlite or any other type of drainage is essential to avoid this type of problem in your plants (and ensure that nothing happens to them if you go too far with water).
- Don't even think about paying. In fact, we do not recommend that you use a rooting product either. Right now the plant is weak and sick, and the last thing it needs is that you force it to grow or develop roots by adding fertilizer or rooting agent. Give it time and only when you see new shoots coming out can you consider doing it.
Once you carry out the transplant, make sure to place it in a semi-shade place (even when the plant is in direct sun). In this way, you will recover little by little. without the sun adding to the problems that the plant has and ending up burning to death.
give it time
Recovering a plant with excess water is not easy. And it requires a lot of patience and leaving things alone. What do we mean? Well, when we are worried about the plant we tend to be vigilant, to get overwhelmed because it does not react... and that causes you to change it. That you put it in another place, that you water it a little, that you prune it...
All of that is stress for her, and it's the worst thing you can do.
So try to forget about her a bit.
Water only when touched
In fact, we recommend that, for the first few days, you only spray water, nothing more. When it's your turn, water normally, without going overboard, of course.
Now You already have the keys to recover a plant with excess water. Has it ever happened to you? How did you act?