Source: NDSU Ag Comm. While that won't guarantee a root rot-free bed, it can help prevent another outbreak. Let’s start with the basics: what is root rot, anyway? Whether your potted plants are indoors or outdoors, proper drainage is an essential element to ensure they stay healthy. There are a variety of soil-dwelling fungi, molds, or oomycetes out there, but root rot is caused by a small handful of these. All root rot diseases will ultimately result in root death and wilting of the poinsettia crop. The reason that root rot is so hard to detect in a timely manner is that it is developing underground, out of sight. Plants infected with a root rot organism usually wilt, often from the bottom leaves upward. How to Identify Root Rot . By then, unfortunately, the damage has already been done. Even if the infected plant dies of root rot, it is high time for preventive measures. Root rot can attack plants that are growing in any system, including hydroponic, container, and soil-based growing systems. How to Treat Root Rot. When the roots are examined, they appear darkened and collapsed. Sow plants resistant to root rot in the beds in the future. Unhealthy roots will be mushy and black. Remove your plant from the pot and loosen up the soil and root ball. The outermost root tissue may slough off, leaving a thread-like appearance to the root. You want to catch this problem quickly. To monitor for root diseases, a grower should regularly gently remove a poinsettia from its container and examine the roots. Despite the name, "root rot," gardeners usually spot signs of the disease in the plant's leaves, not its roots. Step 1 Stop watering the plant and wait until the soil dries out completely to the touch. Although your plant may look like a goner, you can reverse the root rot by watering the sick plant with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide. Fullido spoke about how root rot … Although once the fungus has invaded it will be all over your garden, it is surprisingly choosy when it decides which specific plants to attack. Once wilting occurs, the disease has advanced to the point it is no longer possible to save the plant. If you find that your favorite pot doesn’t have a hole in the bottom for drainage, […] Care errors should at least be minimized as risk factors. TV anchor and “plantita” Gretchen Fullido is well aware that root rot problems among plants can be caused by overwatering. The fungi that cause root rot can stick around in the soil, so if you want to sow the bed again, opt for plants that are less likely to catch it. If the plant is potted, place it in front of a fan … This process keeps water from pooling at the base of the pot, which can cause bacteria, fungus and root rot. Leaves may yellow and drop off. This is mostly common in plants with shallow roots when they aren’t in a good pot and soil combination. Cut all the diseased roots from the plant with sterile pruners, leaving only healthy roots. Then repot the plant in a sterile pot with fresh, well-draining soil and avoid overwatering. How To Fix Root Rot. Treat root rot by removing your plant from its pot and washing the old soil from the roots. How to Prevent Root Rot. Other plants and new acquisitions are also at risk of developing root rot in the course of their lives. Root rot comes in many forms and can be deadly for plants. One of the most important aspects to treat root rot is timing. Avoid waterlogging / empty coasters; Use loose, well-drained substrate