What causes root rot in pothos?
1. Temperature too low
Pothos is a plant that likes to grow in a relatively warm environment. Its temperature requirement is generally within 15°C to 25°C, but if it drops below this temperature and protective measures are not taken properly, pothos will develop root rot.
2. Overwatering
Although pothos is a plant that loves water very much, its roots must not be soaked in water for long periods, because this makes it very difficult for them to absorb nutrients from the soil. Because they cannot get an oxygen supply, root rot occurs.
3. Pathogen infection
While pothos is growing, it is very easily attacked by pathogens, and the occurrence rate of this situation is very high, because it grows in a relatively humid and warm environment, and this kind of environment is also a breeding ground for pathogens. After pothos is attacked by these pathogens, the most obvious reactions are excessive leaf drop, leaves that cannot unfurl, and corroded roots.
4. Poor water quality
People care about the question of what causes pothos root rot and how to deal with it, mainly because pothos is a plant that very much likes to be nourished by water. Its love of water has made it much more sensitive to water quality. If the water quality is poor and the water contains many harmful pathogens, then after pothos is watered with this kind of water, root rot very easily occurs.
Causes of pothos root rot. How to deal with pothos root rot
Growing some plants at home helps beautify the environment and improve the air. But in the process of growing plants, various problems will be encountered, for example root rot is a common problem. If your soil-cultured pothos shows signs of disease during cultivation, how should we deal with it? Below we will look at how to deal with root rot in soil-cultured pothos.Causes of pothos root rot
Temperature too low
Pothos is a heat-loving plant. The most suitable growth temperature is 15-25°C, and in winter it must not go below 10°C for it to overwinter safely. When the temperature is too low, root growth is inhibited, and root rot easily occurs. Overwatering
Pothos likes water, but that does not mean it should be watered a lot. Soil culture and water culture are different. In water culture, the water is changed frequently, and it is enough to ensure there is sufficient oxygen in the water. In soil culture, watering simply provides water for the plant's growth. When too much water is given, the soil becomes oxygen-deficient, the roots cannot get oxygen, and rot occurs. Fungal and pathogen infection
Bacterial infection is unavoidable. In a humid and hot environment, the plant is very easily attacked by fungi. Poor water quality
Another important cause of root rot is relatively dirty water. There are large amounts of bacteria in the water. Being in this kind of environment for a long time means the roots cannot get enough nutrients for growth, and root rot easily occurs.
How to deal with pothos root rot
Looking at the causes of root rot above, a large part of it is poor care on your part. In future care, pay more attention, ensure the temperature is suitable, watering is moderate, the water quality is clean, and spray chemicals at the right time to disinfect and sterilize. Basically there will not be any big problem. But if the root rot is relatively serious, the following treatment must be done: Soil-planted pothos
Root rot in soil-cultured pothos is generally caused by water accumulation. What you need to do is give the pothos a new home. Prepare new soil, add more large-particle soil such as peat, cut off the rotted roots of the pothos, wash them clean, and replant. If the original plant really cannot be saved, you can only cut off branches and leaves and re-propagate by cuttings. (Tips for propagating pothos by cuttings) Water-cultured pothos
If water-cultured pothos has root rot to an extreme degree, the owner must be very lazy and not know to change the water, which caused it. When the roots gradually turn to mush and there is a bad smell accompanying it, a perfectly good bonsai is ruined. But it does not matter too much. Take the pothos out and cut off the rotted parts. In addition, be sure to wash the bottle clean and disinfect it as well. Just change the water and restart water culture.
What to do about pothos root rot. What are the causes of pothos root rot?
Pothos grows in tropical regions and often climbs and grows on rocks and tree trunks in rainforests. It has strong twining ability and well-developed aerial roots. It can be grown both in soil and in water. Now let us take a look at what to do about pothos root rot!
I. Causes of pothos root rot
1. Temperature too low: Pothos is a heat-loving plant. The most suitable growth temperature is 15-25°C, and in winter it must not go below 10°C for it to overwinter safely. When the temperature is too low, root growth is inhibited, and root rot easily occurs.
2. Overwatering: Pothos likes water, but that does not mean it should be watered a lot. Watering simply provides water for the plant's growth. When too much water is given, the soil becomes oxygen-deficient, the roots cannot get oxygen, and rot occurs.
3. Pathogen infection: When pothos is cultivated, being infected by pathogens is unavoidable. In a humid and hot environment, the plant is very easily attacked by fungi.
4. Poor water quality: If the water used to water pothos is relatively dirty and there are large amounts of bacteria in the water, being in this kind of environment for a long time means the roots cannot get enough nutrients for growth, and root rot easily occurs.
II. What to do about pothos root rot
1. Root rot in soil culture: Root rot in soil-cultured pothos is generally caused by water accumulation. At this point, what needs to be done is to give the pothos a new home. Prepare new soil, add more large-particle soil such as peat, cut off the rotted roots of the pothos, wash them clean, and replant. If the original plant really cannot be saved, you can only cut off branches and leaves and re-propagate by cuttings.
2. Root rot in water culture: Serious root rot in water-cultured pothos must be caused by the owner being very lazy and not knowing to change the water. When the roots gradually turn to mush and there is a bad smell accompanying it, a perfectly good bonsai is ruined. But it does not matter too much. Take the pothos out and cut off the rotted parts. In addition, be sure to wash the bottle clean and disinfect it as well. Just change the water and restart water culture.
III. How to cultivate pothos
1. Light: Pothos does not have a strong tendency to grow toward light. But in autumn and winter in the north, in order to make up for the lack of temperature and photosynthesis, the light intensity should be increased. At the same time, when the temperature is low, open windows as little as possible, because in a very short time the leaves may be frostbitten.
2. Humidity: Pothos grows faster in an environment with relatively high air humidity. It is recommended to maintain indoor humidity. You can use a humidifier to increase air humidity, or use a transparent plastic bag to cover the plant and create a small greenhouse effect, but it should not exceed two hours.
3. Temperature: Pothos is very sensitive to temperature. If the temperature is too low, it is very easily frostbitten. A room temperature of about 20°C is enough. If heating equipment is turned on, the leaves of the pothos must not be too close to it. Keeping the indoor temperature above 10°C is enough for it to pass through winter safely.
4. Fertilizing: Because pothos is cultivated indoors, it absorbs nutrients less abundantly than outdoors. It is recommended to apply fertilizer once every half month. You can buy fertilizer specially for pothos on the market. Or ask the flower shop owner to help choose fertilizer.
5. Watering: When watering pothos, do not directly pour water into the pot. Instead, first slowly pour in the water, wait for it to seep down, and then spray evenly, waiting for the water to penetrate. In addition, water should also be sprayed on the places where aerial roots grow, to reduce insufficient root water absorption caused by too-rapid evaporation.
6. Shaping: Shaping and pruning of pothos is carried out in spring. When the stems and vines have covered the moss pole and the tips extend about 20 cm beyond the moss pole, cut off 40 cm of the stem tips of 2-3 of the plants. After the cut, when new buds and new leaves sprout, then cut off the stem tips of the remaining plants.
7. Pests and diseases: Pothos plants are very easily affected by problems with pests and pathogens. Typical pests affecting pothos include mealybugs, red spider mites, scale insects, and so on. Mealybugs are usually the most common, and you can use alcohol to kill the insects, remove them with a cotton swab, or take them off by hand.