Once root rot is identified, you must determine if the plant can be saved. If the entire root system has already become mushy, it is too late to save the plant. However, if some healthy, white, firm roots exist, try to bring the plant back to good health by replanting in fresh soil with good drainage.
Turns out it can work wonders on a sick plant. The way it works is the chemical in hydrogen peroxide kills the bacteria that causes root rot in plants and breaks down into the soil to release extra oxygen to encourage the growth of healthy, new roots.
Depending on the circumstances and severity of over-watering your roots may need more time for recovery than others! The good news is that most plants will bounce back between 7-14 days if they're given proper care (which includes rehydration).
Once established, root rot is hard to treat. The best you can do is remove the parts of the plant that are dying (including the roots) and provide it with fresh soil. If the root rot is widespread and has affected most of the plant's roots and foliage, the plant may be beyond saving.
Another product that'll help prevent the spread of root rot is non-flavoured cinnamon. After having removed the dead roots, sprinkle a thin layer onto the healthy tissue before placing into a bed of new compost.
More severe infections may take longer, but you should notice new growth and healthier leaves quite quickly. Do you water a plant after repotting for root rot? No. If your plant is suffering from root rot, you'll want to refrain from watering your plant for about 1 week after repotting.
We advise not to right away, but within the same week of repotting is fine. The Soil should be slightly, naturally moist, so water when the top few inches feel dry as per normal. If you have treated your plant, it shouldn't be a problem again. Lastly do not fertilise your plant after root rot for a few months!
It is not possible to reverse root rot. The treatment of this disease involves removing the affected portions of the plant. Once the rotting or dying parts have been removed, they can then be repotted in fresh soil to give the remaining healthy roots a fresh start. What does root rot look like?
Clean both your equipment and the plant's container with rubbing alcohol or a solution of nine parts water to one part bleach. This will prevent the spread of fungal spores. 6. Repot the plant in fresh soil.
Apart from being more mindful of how often and how much water you give your plants and plant roots, you can also use a mixture of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide concentration mixed in 1 quart of water once a week to encourage healthy root growth in your plants' roots or treat the spread of root rot and root decay.
Can you reuse soil with root rot? We recommend sterilizing the soil before reusing the soil. This will ensure there were no diseases or fungus that were growing in the soil while the roots were rotting. Once the soil is sterilized, mix with new potting soil 50/50.
Use cinnamon rooting hormone to encourage root development
Like sulphur, cinnamon is a natural fungicide that helps most plants root, while inhibiting the spores that cause rot in stem cuttings. Dip prepared plant stems in cinnamon and push them into the soil.
It is perfectly safe for plants when properly diluted and used in moderation. Adding hydrogen peroxide to water promotes better growth in plants and boosts roots ability to absorb nutrients from the soil. Diluted 3% peroxide adds needed aeration to the soil of plants and helps control fungus in the soil.
You want to make sure that you're cutting off the roots that are black and mushy. After you've cut off any dead roots, we recommend soaking them in an 80:20 solution of water to hydrogen peroxide. Five minutes or so should be sufficient.
For hydrogen peroxide of 3% strength, the ratio is 1:1 with water (6% strength is 1:2 with water). After diluting the solution, simply dip your roots in for 10 seconds then pop them back into the water. The key to growing healthy, happy plants is to avoid root rot in the first place.
Mix 50ml of Hydrogen Peroxide 3% – Oxygen PlusTM per 4 litres of water (60:1 ratio of water to H2O2). Soak the roots into this solution for about 6 hours. Replant in a new container with clean, fresh potting mix.
Make sure the container has good drainage and only water the plant when the top of the soil is dry. While regrowing its roots, do not fertilize the plant, as this may stress it. You do not want to have to treat root rot again in the plant.
Spores from root rot causing agents do contaminate other plants, but the rot cannot take hold unless there is adequate moisture. Spores are not only airborne, but are also carried by insects and other arthropods in the soil.
If they look dark brown and mushy rather than firm and white or tan as they should be, your plant probably is suffering from root rot.