How to avoid root rot?

One of the most common problems in plants, both indoors and outdoors, is the root rot. It is caused by fungi, which are microorganisms that proliferate in damp and dark places.

Can anything be done to avoid it? Fortunately, yes.

Prevent your plants from getting sick

You cannot 100% prevent them from getting sick, but there are a series of tricks that can be very useful to keep them healthy enough so that they can resist possible infections without too much trouble. They are as follows:

• Use a substrate that drains well. The roots must be well aerated in order to perform their functions correctly. For this reason, it is highly recommended to mix peat or mulch with 20-30% perlite, clay balls, akadama, pumice or similar. In the event that you have cacti and / or succulents, you can plant them only on the pumice.
• Don't over water. I know, this is easier said than done. Controlling the irrigation is not always easy, so you have to check the humidity of the substrate before watering, for example inserting a thin wooden stick to the bottom. If it comes out practically clean, it means that the soil is dry and can therefore be watered.
• If you have a plate underneath, remove it 15 minutes after watering. This way the roots will not be in contact with the water, which will prevent their rotting.
• Pay it. During spring and summer the plant must be fertilized regularly so that it grows correctly.
• Do preventive treatments in spring and fall with copper or sulfur. It will be enough to put a pinch from time to time on the surface of the substrate.

What are the symptoms of root rot?

You will know if your plant's roots are rotting if you see that leaves turn yellow and wither quickly. If it is a cactus or a crass, the stem and / or leaves will become very, very soft, to the point that they may end up completely rotten.

Regrettably, If we have a plant with rotten roots, the only thing we can do is throw it away.. It is not used to compost.

We hope you find it useful.