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Evaluate
the roots. Use sanitized scissors to trim away any
that are rotten. |
Next,
take a look at the roots to see if they are crisp and
bright in color or brown and mushy looking. If they are
discolored and rotten, you may have to remove the damaged
roots and repot the plant. However, removing the rotted
roots can be tricky—you don't want to remove all the
roots, just the deteriorated ones. Use a sanitized pair
of scissors to cut away all dead and dying root material.
When this is complete, you may also have to trim some
of the foliage, since too many leaves and not enough roots
to support those leaves can cause further problems. Trim
away
a very small amount of the top foliage to compensate for
the root loss.
Once
this step is complete, remove any dead or dying foliage
or stems that appear to have rotted. They will be easy
to identify, as they can be quite putrid smelling. Use
a sharp hand pruner to cut away stems or branches that
have loose bark or that are wilted and don't perk up
after the above procedures have been completed.
Next, you will want to remove the soil from the roots
carefully so as not to cause further damage. Repot the
plant into fresh new soil and water the roots in gently;
be careful not to soak the plant. I use a plant food
that contains less than 1% hydrogen peroxide. (Follow
the direction stated on whichever product you choose.)
Peroxide is a favorite product of mine, as it's great
for getting oxygen into the plant's root system. Refrain
from adding fertilizer at this time; forcing a plant
into growth by fertilizing it only stresses the plant
further and the roots are damaged and strained already.
There are enough nutrients in the soil to help the plant
along—the roots need to rest and recuperate, not
work harder.
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