How to deal with root rot in a money tree? Let me teach you the rescue and treatment methods.

The money tree (Pachira aquatica) is a common indoor potted plant and office potted plant, but when the money tree is not properly cared for, root rot can occur. Of course, if root rot appears in a money tree, do not panic. When you discover root rot in a money tree, you must first analyze what is causing it; once you find the cause, you can save it. Below is a summary of the causes of root rot in money trees and the rescue methods.

After root rot occurs in a money tree, it will also show on the bark. Observant flower growers may notice that on the trunk of the money tree at home, near the roots, there is a sticky secretion, and white fuzz like mold appears. When touched lightly by hand, it feels soft, and it will also cause the nearby bark to peel off.

Root rot in a money tree is generally caused by water accumulation in the potting soil. When there is too much water accumulated in the pot, the roots remain in an overly wet environment for a long time, respiration is blocked, and the roots become soft and rot. There are mainly two reasons for water accumulation in the pot. First, excessive watering; second, poor ventilation, being too humid and stuffy.

When a money tree is invaded by pests and diseases, it can also lead to root rot. Because the water quality is poor and the potting soil is relatively wet, it is very easy for pests and diseases to breed, gnaw at the roots, and cause rot. Common pests and diseases that occur on money trees include: powdery mildew, root rot disease, and root-knot nematodes parasitic in the soil.

When the plant's leaves turn yellow and the bark becomes soft, prune the roots in time. Cut off the yellowed leaves, keeping only the bud eyes. Take out the woody stem; do not treat the root system first, and clean off the soil at the bottom. Use scissors to prune the root system and cut off the rotten parts. If the rot is severe, directly cut off all the tangled root system. If the stem also begins to rot, the rotten parts need to be removed, turning it into separate pieces.

Place the treated roots and stems into a thiophanate-methyl or potassium permanganate solution and soak for 24 hours; or spray the wounds with procymidone. Then dry them in a cool, ventilated place and replant them.

When root rot disease and other Pythium fungi are active, spray with propamocarb, etridiazole, metalaxyl, or ethylicin; the general efficacy lasts about two weeks. In addition, for insect pests of the money tree, non-fumigant nematicides such as fenamiphos, thionazin, miral, and phorate can be used for insecticidal treatment.

If you want to grow a healthy money tree, you need to provide it with an excellent soil substrate, and it must have good air permeability. You can prepare a cultivation substrate with good air and water permeability. You can mix medical pond mud, river sand, and composted sawdust in a 5:3:2 ratio; or use mountain soil and river sand, in a 7:3 ratio. You can also go to a flower market to buy special horticultural nutrient soil, as well as anti-rot and anti-decay root granules.

Watering is an important part of care and management. When caring for a money tree, the amount of water must be strictly controlled. When you find the soil has turned white, water it, and water thoroughly. A money tree does not need to be watered every day; at normal temperature, it can be watered once every five or six days. Better dry than wet. Also, pay attention to the hygiene of the flowerpot at ordinary times. If the small hole at the bottom of the pot is blocked, it should be cleared in time.

What to do about root rot in a money tree? Treatment methods for root rot in a money tree

What to do about root rot in a money tree? Illustrated treatment methods for root rot in a money tree

1. Take out the woody stem; do not treat the root system first, and clean off the soil at the bottom.

2. Use scissors to prune the root system and cut off the rotten parts. If the rot is severe, directly cut off all the tangled root system.

3. If the stem also begins to rot, the rotten parts need to be removed, turning it into separate pieces.

4. Place the treated roots and stems into a thiophanate-methyl or potassium permanganate solution and soak for 24 hours; or spray the wounds with procymidone.

5. Then dry them in a cool, ventilated place and replant them.

Symptoms of root rot in a money tree. How to rescue root rot in a money tree

What are the symptoms of root rot in a money tree? Money trees do not like water; excessive watering can cause root rot. So how do you rescue root rot in a money tree? Let us take a look below.

I. Symptoms of root rot in a money tree

1. Leaves turn yellow and fall off

Flower growers often ask: “My money tree's leaves suddenly turned yellow and began to fall off in large numbers. What is the reason?” It is very likely that your precious money tree has root rot. When a money tree has root rot, it hinders the normal transport of nutrients and water, thereby causing leaves to turn yellow or even fall off.

2. Bark peeling off

The so-called saying “A person needs face, a tree needs bark” sounds rough, but it is a “truth” in the plant world.

After root rot occurs in a money tree, it will also show on the bark. Observant flower growers may notice that on the trunk of the money tree at home, near the roots, there is a sticky secretion, and white fuzz like mold appears. When touched lightly by hand, it feels soft, and it will also cause the nearby bark to peel off.

II. Causes of root rot in a money tree

1. Water accumulation in the pot

Root rot in a money tree is generally caused by water accumulation in the potting soil. When there is too much water accumulated in the pot, the roots remain in an overly wet environment for a long time, respiration is blocked, and the roots become soft and rot.

There are mainly two reasons for water accumulation in the pot. First, excessive watering; second, poor ventilation, being too humid and stuffy.

2. Pests and diseases

When a money tree is invaded by pests and diseases, it can also lead to root rot. Because the water quality is poor and the potting soil is relatively wet, it is very easy for pests and diseases to breed, gnaw at the roots, and cause rot.

Common pests and diseases that occur on money trees include: powdery mildew, root rot disease, and root-knot nematodes parasitic in the soil.

III. How to rescue root rot in a money tree

1. Root treatment

When the plant's leaves turn yellow and the bark becomes soft, prune the roots in time. Cut off the yellowed leaves, keeping only the bud eyes. Take out the woody stem; do not treat the root system first, and clean off the soil at the bottom.

Use scissors to prune the root system and cut off the rotten parts. If the rot is severe, directly cut off all the tangled root system.

If the stem also begins to rot, the rotten parts need to be removed, turning it into separate pieces.

Place the treated roots and stems into a thiophanate-methyl or potassium permanganate solution and soak for 24 hours; or spray the wounds with procymidone. Then dry them in a cool, ventilated place and replant them.

2. Medication treatment

When root rot disease and other Pythium fungi are active, spray with propamocarb, etridiazole, metalaxyl, or ethylicin; the general efficacy lasts about two weeks.

In addition, for insect pests of the money tree, non-fumigant nematicides such as fenamiphos, thionazin, miral, and phorate can be used for insecticidal treatment.

IV. How to prevent root rot from occurring

1. Soil substrate

If you want to grow a healthy money tree, you need to provide it with an excellent soil substrate, and it must have good air permeability.

You can prepare a cultivation substrate with good air and water permeability. You can mix medical pond mud, river sand, and composted sawdust in a 5:3:2 ratio; or use mountain soil and river sand, in a 7:3 ratio.

You can also go to a flower market to buy special horticultural nutrient soil, as well as anti-rot and anti-decay root granules.

2. Water according to the soil

Watering is an important part of care and management. When caring for a money tree, the amount of water must be strictly controlled.

When you find the soil has turned white, water it, and water thoroughly. A money tree does not need to be watered every day; at normal temperature, it can be watered once every five or six days. Better dry than wet. Also, pay attention to the hygiene of the flowerpot at ordinary times. If the small hole at the bottom of the pot is blocked, it should be cleared in time.

Here, the editor would like to add one more thing: according to feedback from many flower growers, money trees are extremely prone to dying from root rot caused by excessive watering during cultivation. So, if you do not know how to control the amount of water, then you must resist the urge to water the money tree frequently.