What to Do About Root Rot in Hosta? Cause Analysis and Solutions

Hosta is a common potted flowering plant, and during cultivation you often run into some problems, with root rot being one of the hard-to-notice ones that seriously affects the hosta's growth. So how do you solve hosta root rot? Let's take a look.

1. Causes of Root Rot

The first cause of hosta root rot is overwatering; when given too much water, the plant cannot take it up, and the roots stay soaked in water for a long time, which leads to suffocation and root rot. Another cause is loose soil; when you water, nutrients are easily lost with the draining water, so the roots do not get enough nutrients, and over time root rot sets in. Yet another cause is bacterial damage: if during cultivation you do not disinfect and properly handle dead branches and fallen leaves, or if the growing environment is damp, bacteria multiply in large numbers and cause root rot.

2. Solutions

1. Cut off the rotted roots

After discovering root rot in your hosta, take it out of the pot promptly, then trim away the rotted roots. After disinfecting the wounds, apply plant ash to them, and finally place the plant in a shaded spot to let the wounds heal, which generally takes half a day.

2. Replace the soil

After cutting off the rotted roots, promptly clear away all the old potting soil and choose new soil for planting; generally you want moist, loose soil with good air permeability and drainage, and you can also use a mix of peat, leaf mold and river sand for care. After sun-disinfecting the soil and flowerpot, fill in the soil, ensuring the potting soil is free of bacteria so as to avoid a second infection.

3. Replant

Once the wounds have dried, place the plant back into the prepared potting soil and replant it. Note that after planting you should press the soil around the roots firm, and do not water immediately; just keep the ambient temperature above 5 degrees.

4. Later care

After replanting, later care is extremely important: water less and fertilize less. Generally, water and fertilize three days after replanting; the fertilizer should be diluted with water, and normally apply a thin fertilizer solution once every 1-2 months. That way, new roots will grow back after one month.

  The above is an introduction to the causes of and solutions for hosta root rot. We hope it helps you. To learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.