Unfortunately, if the root rot is left for too long and there are no remaining healthy roots, your plant can't recover.
Trim back the foliage at about the same rate as you had to remove roots (if you trimmed back ⅓ of the roots, trim back ⅓ of the foliage). Toss the rest of the original soil. Wash the pot with a bleach water solution to kill any fungus or bacteria. Dip the roots in a fungicide solution to prevent re-infection.
Dealing with Root Rot
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.
Root rot cannot be reversed. Treating root rot involves removing any roots or foliage that are rotting and repotting the plant in fresh soil to give the remaining healthy roots a new start.
Hydrogen peroxide can help to control fungal growth and fungal infection, such as root rot, by preventing the growth of fungi. It can also help kill fungus and bacteria on plant roots.
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!
Don't just pour straight hydrogen peroxide on the roots. Instead, create a mixture of one part 3% hydrogen peroxide and two parts water, and put it in a watering can or spray bottle. You can either use it while the plant is still in the pot, or after taking it out of the pot.
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).
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.
The roots affected by root rot will look black and will feel mushy. Affected roots may literally fall off the plant when you touch them. Healthy roots may be black or pale, but they will feel firm and pliable.
Signs of root rot are slow growth, mushy stems, and wilting, yellow, distorted leaves (especially when the plant has been well watered, as wilting leaves can also be a sign of a dry plant). Usually the soil will smell rotten and the roots will appear to be reddish brown.
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.
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.
Baking Soda Fungicide
Common household baking soda is a natural product used for combating plant fungus problems. Mix 1 tbsp. of baking soda with 2-1/2 tbsp. of vegetable oil in 1 gallon of tap water.
Baking soda has a pH of around nine, and its alkalinity will act as poison for fungi. It will eliminate it from the roots by alkalizing the soil and preventing it from developing.
If you use a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide on the foliage of the plant you run the risk of burning it. You could burn the roots, but since it's necessary to kill the root rot-causing bacteria, it's a risk worth taking.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is steadily gaining more attention in the field of molecular biology research. It is a major REDOX (reduction–oxidation reaction) metabolite and at high concentrations induces oxidative damage to biomolecules, which can culminate in cell death.
Yes, coffee grounds can help prevent soil diseases… in a laboratory. Mixed into a growing mix, they have been found to control such harmful fungi as Pythium (which causes root rot) and Fusarium and Sclerotinia (vascular diseases).
By strategically sprinkling cinnamon around the edge of containers and baskets, most pests will simply leave it alone and move on. Even with its strong smell, cinnamon will not cause any harm to the plants.