Even if the roots of a money tree or snake plant have completely rotted, it can still be saved.
Snake Plant
Why is it always my snake plant that gets root rot? What should I do after root rot sets in?
Author: zhyeyan2010 Source: Blog
Rescue Method
1. First, cut off all the rotted parts of the snake plant. That's right, not even a tiny bit of rot can be left behind.
Author: dqf宝贝2011 Source: Snake Plant Forum
2. Disinfect. This step is crucial. If you have a disinfectant at home, use it right away. If not, gentian violet or similar can also be applied to the wounds.
(Source: Baidu Baike)
3. Rooting. Huahua suggests using a mix of plain soil, vermiculite and peat as the rooting medium.
(Source: Weishang Circle)
4. Potting. Choose loose, fertile soil; mix coarse sand, garden soil and nutrient soil in equal proportions.
(Source: Guangming Online)
Watering from Now On
Snake plants are very drought-tolerant, so they don't need much water. Especially now in winter, watering should be reduced even further; otherwise, the water the snake plant can't absorb will accumulate in the potting soil, and root rot is guaranteed.
Wait until the potting soil has dried out completely before watering again, and remember to use water at room temperature. Too cold and it will damage the snake plant's roots. When watering, do it slowly and don't pour water on the leaves; water until it flows out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, and that counts as a proper watering.
Money Tree
Why are my money tree's leaves turning yellow, wilting, its stem going soft, roots rotting... Many gardening friends who come to Huahua with questions have pretty much the same problems. In fact, root rot in a money tree is the culprit behind all those other symptoms!
Rescue Method
1. Take out the woody stem. Don't deal with the roots first; clean off the soil at the bottom.
2. Use scissors to trim the roots, cutting off the rotted parts. If the rot is too severe, simply cut off all the tangled roots and let the money tree grow new roots on its own.
3. If the stem has also started to rot, the rotted parts need to be removed.
4. Soak the treated roots and stem in a thiophanate-methyl or potassium permanganate solution for 24 hours; or spray the wounds with procymidone.
Author: 嚣张七爷 Source: Baidu Tieba
5. Then let it dry in a cool, well-ventilated place and replant it.
Watering Later On
Watering a money tree is a big issue. Nine out of ten money trees die from watering. Honestly, we've said this many times about watering money trees: don't water if it's not dry, and water thoroughly when you do. What does "dry" mean? It means the surface of the money tree's potting soil has turned pale, and when you pick up the money tree, it feels light as a feather; that's when you can water.
What does "water thoroughly" mean? It means watering until the water flows out of the drainage holes in the pot; that counts as thorough watering. If it never flows out, you should change the soil. The original soil is unsuitable, too heavy and sticky, and it will waterlog as soon as you water it, and the money tree will definitely get root rot.
Also, it's winter now, and the money tree really doesn't need much water. If you really don't know how to water it, you can water once a month, watering thoroughly.
And that's all from Huahua.
If you have any of these plants at home,
hurry up and check whether they have root rot!
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