What to Do When a Money Tree's Roots Rot? Take Targeted, Effective Measures

What to do when a money tree's roots rot? Root rot in a money tree (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a fairly common disease during the cultivation process, and it worries many people who grow money trees. To prevent and treat this disease, the key point is to understand the causes of the root rot and treat the root cause accordingly.

The money tree is a plant that likes a warm, humid climate with plenty of sunlight. Root rot occurs mainly for the following three reasons.

1. Overwatering. The money tree likes its potting soil to be just slightly moist; by nature it does not like water. But if the potting soil drains poorly and the water turns stale, it will cause root rot.

2. Overfertilizing. Excessive fertilizing of the money tree can also cause root rot. Especially if a relatively concentrated fertilizer is used before the money tree's roots have grown well, the concentrated fertilizer will scorch the plant's root and stem area, causing root rot.

3. Pathogen infection. If you are not careful when watering or when it rains, pathogens may splash onto the money tree plant, which can also cause pathogen infection and lead to the money tree's roots rotting.

In response to the above causes, the solutions for money tree root rot are:

1. Replant

Generally, the cause of money tree root rot is root rot caused by watering, so the plant needs to be promptly taken out of the pot, part of the old soil shaken off, placed in a semi-shady, cool spot to air dry for 1-2 days, then replanted in new sandy loam soil. After that, the pot must not be too large, and watering must not be too frequent. Water when 70% of the potting soil is dry. Never use a rigid watering interval; water flexibly.

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 until the root system is dry, and replant.

2. Apply Charcoal Powder

First take the plant out of the flowerpot, cut off the rotten tubers and branches and leaves, then apply charcoal powder to the wounds, leave the roots exposed in a warm place, and after the wounds are dry, bury them in the potting soil. Stop watering until spring warmth raises the temperature above 20°C, then resume normal watering, but the amount of water must be small, just enough to keep the potting soil slightly moist.

Although there are still remedies for money tree root rot, it has after all already caused harm to the money tree. Therefore, as a grower, you can use reverse thinking to do a good job of prevention: do not overwater or overfertilize, and pay attention to preventing pathogen infection.