With its fun pom-pom blossoms, who can resist a hydrangea? Unfortunately, a root rot infestation can make this cheerful plant anything but cheerful!
You might have this fungal infection if your hydrangea has recently started to look unwell.
The good news is that root rot can be treated, but you need to act quickly! The greatest strategy for combating root rot is to act right away.
Trim off any discolored, mushy, or decaying roots to begin treating hydrangea root rot. To clean the remaining sound roots, apply an efficient fungicide. Repot the plant next into a new container with new soil mixture.
The likelihood that the rot will permanently take over your plant increases the longer you wait. Let’s steer clear of that at all costs! Discover how to prevent that horrible rot by reading on!
What does hydrangea root rot look like?
The abrupt withering and yellowing of the leaves are signs of Phytophthora root rot. Brown discoloration on the stem above the soil line and on the crown at the soil line are both signs of infection in hydrangeas.
What causes hydrangea root rot?
When hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.) receive excessive irrigation, insufficient irrigation, or have poor soil drainage, they develop root rot. Hydrangeas can get two different types of root rot: armillaria root rot and pythium root rot. By appropriately preparing the planting location and providing the right quantity of irrigation, you can keep hydrangeas’ roots from rotting. Different hydrangea varieties may withstand various climates. Bigleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) and shrubby hydrangeas (Hydrangea aspera), two common kinds, can survive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5b to 9a and 7a to 9a, respectively.
If hydrangeas, especially oak leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia), suddenly wilt and adequate irrigation and planting practices do not solve the issue, use a fungicide indicated for phytophthora root rot. In order to treat root rot, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System advises using a variety of fungicides, such as those containing fosetyl-Al, propamocarb, and thiophanate-methyl + etridiazole. Fungicides should be used in the amounts advised by the manufacturer. Oak leaf hydrangeas are well-suited for outdoor or containers in USDA plant hardiness zones 5b to 9a.
How can root rot be quickly fixed?
Wet conditions in the plant’s soil provide toxic fungi the chance to flourish, which results in the disease known as root rot. Because roots require air to function properly and prolonged immersion in water deprives them of oxygen, the roots decay. Since it’s more difficult to regulate moisture and water might become confined, houseplants in pots are more likely to develop root rot than their planted counterparts. While other causes can also contribute to root rot, overwatering is the main cause of root rot issues. So, we’ll focus on the precise method for treating root rot brought on by excessive moisture.
Root Rot Diagnosis:
You must first confirm that the roots of your plant are indeed rotting. Navigating the best remedy for your plant will be made easier by immediately removing any further potential problems. If you want to determine if your issue is genuinely indoor plant root rot, start by observing any obvious symptoms, such as:
Remember that it’s normal for older leaves to change color and fall, so pay greater attention to those younger ones. If you observe browning, yellowing, or dead leaves, it may be a sign that the roots are also dying. Wet soil and wilting foliage are two telltale signs of root rot.
Look at the saucer of the pot; if water is still there, too much water was supplied at some time, soaking the soil and roots of your plant. Standing water should never be present because it might create waterlogging of the soil and its roots.
Assess the roots at the bottom, which will have received the most water exposure, after slipping the plant out of the pot. Check the roots to see whether they are dark brown in color, squishy or spongy, or even covered in fuzzy moldy debris. These are all warning indications of rot. All of these are symptoms of weakened roots.
Root Rot Rx:
Firm roots and light colour are characteristics of healthy plants that are not rotting (usually either beige, green, or tan). The soil must be adequately moistened and the leaves must be in good condition. Once you’ve determined that your houseplant’s problem is actually root rot, it’s time to create a treatment strategy. Priorities first
1. Let the dirt dry out.
Allow the soil to air out if you’ve recently seen some standing water or a change in leaf color and are unsure whether it’s root rot yet. Allow the soil around the plant to dry out for 3-5 days. For plants that aren’t yet damaged, this technique occasionally works. Drying the soil is beneficial since plant roots require oxygen to function properly. However, if the roots of your plant are severely decomposing, go to the instructions below right away because it’s probably too late to dry the soil.
2. Get rid of all the browned leaves.
Attempting to remove any dead leaves is the first step in this process. As close to the plant’s root as you can, make sure to remove them from it.
3. Get rid of old soil.
The next step will be to repot. To do this, you must first dig the plant out of its present soil. As you take the plant out of the pot, carefully scoop out as much soil as you can. Brush off wet or clumpy soil being careful not to overly damage the root system.
4. Remove rotting and dead roots.
Trimming off rotten roots will be done carefully while the plant is still in its pot. Attempt to preserve as much as you can by removing dead roots and preserving good ones.
5. Replant in fresh soil.
Repot your plant next using sterile potting soil (one that is appropriate with your specific plant). Fresh soil will help ensure that any bacteria or fungi that may have developed have been largely eliminated. Additionally, it will provide nutrients that may have been lacking in the previous soil and aid in the plant’s recovery.
Remember that the plant is probably already susceptible and under stress from the root rot. And depending on how severe the damage is, repotting could make your plant much more stressed or even kill it. But given that the plant is already declining, it’s definitely worth a chance. Also, it’s actually your only opportunity. Allowing the root rot to continue in its current condition of decomposition will eventually kill the entire plant because root rot cannot be reversed and spreads swiftly.
Preventative Measures:
Always, prevention is the best course of action. So make an effort to develop a watering schedule that works for the particular indoor plant you have. Simple procedures like these can help prevent root rot in the future.
- Use pots that have a drainage hole.
- Use appropriate soil, and periodically check to make sure the water is draining properly.
- The plant roots must have access to some air, as was previously said, in order to survive. The plant will be able to absorb oxygen and avoid probable root rot if the soil is allowed to somewhat dry out (only the top layer). The finger test—in which you wiggle your finger a few inches deep into the soil to gauge the moisture level—works well for determining whether to water many tropical houseplants. Its presence indicates that the soil’s bottom is noticeably moist. Therefore, you won’t water again until the top layer is mostly dried.
- Again, don’t let extra water build up and remain in the bottom dish of the pot.
- Depending on the season, you’ll also need to change how much water your plant receives. Plants typically require less water during the colder, drier months.
- Keep an eye on your plant. Knowing when the plant needs less or more will help you stay in the moment.
Since root rot affects the part of the plant that cannot be seen, it is frequently not discovered until major harm has already been done. Your houseplant may be saved if you swiftly follow the survival instructions. However, if your plant simply won’t survive, we strongly advise taking some cuttings to reproduce it. In this manner, some of the plant survives and everything is not lost!
Can root rot be cured?
You must decide whether the plant may be rescued after root rot has been diagnosed. It is too late to preserve the plant if the entire root system is already mushy. Replanting the plant in new soil with proper drainage will help restore the plant’s health if it has any healthy, white, firm roots.
Clean the roots of the plants gently under running water and trim all brown, mushy roots with a pair of sharp scissors to prepare them for replanting. Just above the injured area, cut the healthy root. Work fast to replant in a short period of time. To prevent the spread of fungi to other plants or soil, sanitize the pruning shears with a solution of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water4 after all the roots have been cut down.
If left untreated, root rot will cause plants to die. Gardeners frequently don’t become aware of the issue until it has advanced because the earliest signs of root rot appear beneath the soil. Take action right once to fix the issue if plants start to exhibit signs of root rot, such as yellow leaves or slowed growth1.
The most vulnerable plants to root rot are those in soils that are too compact for water to drain out effectively or in containers with insufficient drainage holes. Garden plants are not immune to root rot, although container plants are most at danger. By adopting measures to enhance soil drainage prior to planting, the majority of garden root rot problems can be avoided. 2 While it may appear that too much water is the source of the problem, the truth is that too much water creates the ideal environment for the true culprit: fungus.
How can an overwatered hydrangea be saved?
Okay, so you’ve noticed one or more symptoms in your beloved hydrangea, and you’re probably starting to become a bit concerned.
Although excessive watering may cause your plant to perish, there are still ways to save them.
Therefore, the steps to follow are as follows:
Repot the Plant
- Remove the plant from its pot with care. Keep in mind that plants with rotten roots typically have a soft base, so handle them with extreme caution.
- Shake off extra soil to reveal the roots.
- Examine the roots and search for any that are rotting. Prune them out of the plant with care.
- Before repotting it, leave it aside to give the roots some time to dry out.
- Use a pot that is the proper size and has enough drainage holes, along with fresh soil that drains well.
- Your hydrangea should be repotted in the new container, with just enough soil to fill in any gaps.
- Make sure the newly potted hydrangea is completely submerged in water.
- Before placing the dirt inside, properly drain it for a few hours.
Relocate the Plant
You must keep the young hydrangea leaves away from the sun in order to prevent them from wilting.
Put your indoor plant in a shady area if it was previously situated anywhere near your window where it receives direct sunlight.
- Find a spot inside your room that is not too dark but does not receive direct sunlight.
- Use larger leafy plants or a curtain to give your hydrangea more shade.
Keep in mind that damaged roots in overwatered plants make it difficult for them to carry water.
The rate of transpiration on the leaves is higher when they are exposed to too much sunlight. The plant itself will eventually dry out as a result of this phenomena.
Remove Damaged Leaves
Even though we would like to maintain your hydrangea’s leaves, you would need to prune them.
Because they are made entirely of dead cells, brown leaves are no longer useful.
They can potentially spread disease to the younger leaves and will just spoil the overall appearance of your plant.
- To make more room for new leaves to flourish, carefully prune the existing leaves away with pruning shears or scissors.
- In proportion to the roots you clipped below, remove the leaves above. This is done to maintain the growth of the plant’s uppermost sections.
Treat the Soil with Fungicide
As was previously said, mold grows in a damp atmosphere. Your overwatered hydrangea’s soil most likely has become a haven for fungi. To eliminate the infections, it is best to treat them using fungicides.
It is also desirable to use new soil that has been amended rather than the old dirt. It will also give the plants a fresh supply of nutrients in addition to reducing the likelihood of pathogen transmission.