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.
If you catch the disease early enough, it is possible to rehabilitate your plant. You will need to take the appropriate steps to treat the root rot to give your plant a second chance. Unfortunately, if the root rot is left for too long and there are no remaining healthy roots, your plant can't recover.
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.
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.
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.
However, bottom watering is a more controlled method of watering your plants. By remembering to check your plant every ten minutes or so while it's sitting in water, you can significantly reduce your chances of overwatering and causing root rot.
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.
Is Root Rot Contagious? Unfortunately, root rot can be transferred from one plant to another. The fungal spores can become airborne, and even transported by insects and dirty gardening tools, to infect other plants.
Dealing with Root Rot
Prepare plants for replanting by cleaning the roots gently under running water and removing all brown, mushy roots with a sharp pair of scissors. Cut the healthy root just above the damaged area. Work quickly to replant within a few hours.
Roots that appear brown, black, soft or rotted indicate an unhealthy plant. A rotting, foul odor may also be present. The problem could have developed due to any of the following: Over or under-watering.
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.
Signs of Root Rot
Unhealthy roots appear dark brown, black, mushy, fall apart, or smell like decay. Other symptoms of root rot: A large number of yellowing or smaller, pale-colored leaves. A lot of leaves wilting or falling off the plant (unseasonably)
Too much water also creates favorable conditions for the growth of soil-borne water molds and fungi. These soil-borne pathogens infect the roots, and they cause the roots to decay. Soil-borne water molds such as Pythium, and fungi such as Fusarium, are the usual culprits of root rot.
If the soil smells bad (like a swamp) or slightly sulphurous, that's another good indication that you may have some rot to deal with.
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.
The good news is that most plants will bounce back between 7-14 days if they're given proper care (which includes rehydration). If this isn't possible because major damage was done or little healthy root system exists then expect about 2 weeks until improvement can be seen.
Once symptoms are visible in the leaves the problem may be past the point of rectifying, endangering the entire plant. What is this? In extreme cases when conditions are perfect, cool temperatures and saturated soil, root rot can kill a whole, healthy plant in just a couple of weeks.
The benzimidazole fungicides such as thiophanate-methyl are very active against the fungus and are used as soil treatments to control it.