Tired of root rot when growing flowers? Tuck a few small things into the pot for better airflow and drainage, and the roots will grow stronger
The biggest headache in growing flowers is root rot - you clearly don't water much, yet the plant still droops, and when you take it out of the pot it's all black, mushy rotten roots, heartbreaking and a waste. Actually, the core problem with root rot is just one thing: water accumulates in the pot and can't drain out, so the roots are smothered in wet soil and lack oxygen. Don't just blame yourself for being heavy-handed with the watering can - add some "small things" to the pot to easily solve the water accumulation problem, and whether it's pothos, succulents or orchids, the roots will grow strong and sturdy!
"pot-bottom drainage wonders" - when repotting, lay a layer at the bottom of the pot and the accumulated water drains away in seconds, all without spending money, using common things found at home. The first is broken pottery shards and broken tile pieces - leftover tile fragments from home renovations, shards from a smashed ceramic cup, washed clean and dried in the sun, laid at the bottom of the flower pot, can prop up a "breathable layer." After watering, the excess water flows through the gaps between the shards to the drainage hole and won't accumulate at the bottom of the pot.
The second is foam blocks and plastic bottle fragments - the foam from delivery boxes, finished mineral water bottles, cut into1-2cm small pieces, laid at the bottom of the pot. They're lightweight and let water through, and can also reduce the weight of the pot, making it easier to move flowers. But note: don't use the soft, floppy kind of foam - choose a firmer one, otherwise it easily deforms after watering and blocks the drainage hole.
The third is nut shells and peanut shells - leftover walnut shells and peanut shells, washed clean and dried in the sun (best to roast them a bit to prevent bugs), laid at the bottom of the pot or mixed into the soil. Not only do they drain water, they also slowly decompose as fertilizer - two benefits in one. But don't use salted or sugared nut shells, otherwise they'll burn the roots.
Besides laying things at the bottom of the pot, adding breathable small granules to the soil can also prevent root rot, especially for flowers that fear water accumulation. The first is perlite and vermiculite - these two are old partners in flower growing. Perlite is light and has good breathability, vermiculite retains water yet is breathable. Mix them with nutrient soil at a1:3ratio, and the potting soil becomes loose and won't compact; after watering the water quickly seeps down, and the roots can breathe freely inside. Friends who grow succulents and orchids must try this combination - it's10times better than using nutrient soil alone.
The second is coarse sand and coal cinders - coarse sand picked up by the river (washed clean and thoroughly sun-dried), burned coal cinders (crushed and sifted to remove fine powder), mixed with nutrient soil, have an especially good drainage effect, suitable for drought-tolerant flowers such as cacti and moss rose. But note: the coarse sand shouldn't be too fine, otherwise it sticks together with the soil and actually reduces breathability; coal cinders must be crushed into1
3-5cm is enough; too thick and it takes up pot space, leaving too little soil and no room for the roots to grow; and adding granules to the soil shouldn't exceed1/3
"breathable, draining," tuck a few small things from around you into the flower pot, and the roots will grow strong and sturdy, and you'll never have to feel heartache over root rot again. Try these tips, and your flowers will surely grow more and more vigorously!