What to do about root rot in the money tree? Here's how to handle it correctly
The money tree (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is placed in a fairly spacious living room, study, or family room, where it lends an elegant, understated feel with a touch of southern charm. It is a world-famous new-generation indoor foliage plant with a graceful, neat plant shape. However, root rot can occur during cultivation. Let's take a look below at what to do about root rot in the money tree!
The money tree's growth habits
The money tree prefers warm, slightly dry, semi-shaded environments with small annual average temperature fluctuations. It is fairly drought-tolerant, but afraid of cold, and avoids intense direct sunlight. It is also afraid of heavy, sticky soil and water accumulating in the pot. If the potting soil has poor aeration, its tubers can easily rot. It requires loose, fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, ranging from acidic to slightly acidic. It has strong sprouting ability: after cutting off the thick pinnate compound leaves, new leaves will quickly sprout from the top of the tubers.
Causes of root rot in the money tree
1. Money tree root rot may be caused by potting soil that is too dry. The money tree is fine with potting soil that is slightly moist; by nature it does not like water, but if the potting soil drains poorly and the water turns stale, root rot can result.
2. Money tree root rot may be caused by using relatively strong fertilizer before the roots have grown in well. Strong fertilizer can scorch the plant's root and stem area (the part close to the pot). It may also be that the potting soil is unsanitary, and when watering or when it rains, pathogens are splashed onto the money tree plant.
3. Money tree root rot is root rot disease, caused by too much watering, which leads to a lack of air near the roots; in the damp environment a large amount of fungus breeds, ultimately causing root rot. Carbendazim or thiophanate-methyl can both be used. Penicillin cannot be used. It is best to first dig the plant out and cut away the rotted roots. Soak it in a carbendazim solution for about 10 minutes, then replace the soil and replant.
What to do about root rot in the money tree
1. Generally, the cause of root rot in the money tree is watering. The plant needs to be promptly taken out of the pot, some of the old soil shaken off, and placed in a semi-shaded, cool spot to air dry for 1-2 days, then replanted with new sandy loam soil. After that, the pot must not be too large and watering must not be too frequent; water when about 70% of the potting soil is dry. Never follow a rigid watering schedule; water flexibly.
2. If the root rot is relatively severe, it is best to shake off all the soil, then soak in a 500-fold dilution of potassium permanganate or carbendazim solution for 5-10 minutes, then rinse once with clean water, air dry the roots until dry, and replant.
3. You can first take the plant out of the flower pot, cut off the rotted tubers and branches and leaves, then apply charcoal powder to the wounds, leave the roots exposed in a warm place, and after the wounds dry, bury them in the potting soil and stop watering until warm spring temperatures rise above 20°C before resuming normal watering, but the amount of water must be small, just enough to keep the potting soil slightly moist.