We have repeatedly warned you that irrigation is one of the most important cares for plants. In fact, improper watering can kill it. However, if this happens to you, know that all is not lost. There are actually ways to save her. But, How to recover a plant in excess of water?
If you are one of those people who usually drown plants and you are tired of them dying for this reason, take a look at what we have prepared to help you save it, or at least have more opportunities for him to succeed.
How do you know you’ve gone too far with the water?
The first thing you need to know is whether your plant really has excess water or not. There are some who do not like it, while other plants are comfortable in this situation.
However, those who do not like what is happening to them, it is that the plant is not capable, via the roots, of exchanging gases, of absorbing nutrients… This is what we called “root asphyxia”. And basically what happens is that your plant is drowning because the roots can’t do all they need and this “intoxicates” the whole plant. In addition, the dreaded fungi will appear, which could completely destroy the plant.
Among the symptoms you will notice when your plant has excess water are:
- Weakening. Notes as if the plant is wilting or sad.
- yellowing Especially the lower leaves.
- Falling leaves and flowers.
- Leaves that turn brown (or grow and turn brown even when they haven’t opened.
- Substrate too wet (it collapses, makes the plant wobble).
How to recover a plant with excess water
Now that you have the symptoms, and even at first glance you will see that the plant has a surplus of water, it is time to act. And we would tell you that the rapidity (speed) with which to act can determine whether it is saved or not.
For example, if you realize you overwatered and you overwatered an hour after you overwatered It has more solution than you realize when you go to water it again a week.
Nevertheless, we recommend that you give it a try. You never know, it might be strong enough to hold on. Or maybe the one that was watered down for less time eventually dies.
And what to do? We suggest several steps:
Take the plant out of the pot
This is the first step and the first thing you need to do as soon as possible. It is not enough to take it out of the pot and that’s it. No.
You have to take it out, get as much dirt out of it as possible. Everything, only the roots remain in the air. Try to do this slowly and carefully so as not to break the roots or damage the plant itself. The goal is to remove as much soil as possible and keep it airborne (i.e. no more watering, repotting, or covering with soil) for about 12 to 24 hours.
check the roots
After this time, you will deal with the situation you caused. In other words, you will know if the plant lives or dies, or if it is still strong enough to survive.
And how do you get that? With the roots. If you notice the roots are white, rejoice because that means nothing has happened to them. But, if these are black, or rotting, then the only solution is to prune them as soon as possible to clean the plant and prevent them from growing.
Of course, if they are all black and do not break anything, it will indicate that the plant is out of solution. You can try to save her, but it’s going to be very, very difficult.
apply a fungicide
Once you have pruned the bad roots and checked the condition of all of them, it is time to apply a fungicide to prevent or so you can fight this scourge and have a better chance of moving forward.
In the market you can find several options, just make sure that it is good and you can apply it to the roots without problems.
Transplantation
The next step you need to take to recover a plant with excess water is to replant. And here you need to consider several things:
- If you use the same pot (which you can), before replanting, wash and disinfect it. It sounds silly, but the fungus that may be there won’t affect the already weak plant.
- Do not use the same soil that you removed from it. FOReven if it has dried up. You can discard this one as it can be a fungus source for other plants (or this one).
- Mix it with new soil and perlite. Indeed, perlite or any other type of drainage is essential to avoid this type of problem in your plants (and to ensure that nothing happens to them if you go too far with water).
- Don’t even think about paying. In fact, we don’t recommend using a rooting product either. At this time, the plant is weak and sick, and the last thing it needs is to force it to grow or develop roots by adding fertilizer or rooting agent. Give it time and only when you see new growth coming out can you consider doing it.
Once the transplant is done, be sure to place it in a semi-shaded spot (even when the plant is in full sun). In this way, you will gradually recover. without the sun adding to the plant’s problems and ending up burning to death.
give him time
Recovering a plant with excess water is not easy. And that takes a lot of patience and leaving things alone. What do we mean? Well, when we worry about the plant we tend to be vigilant, to get overwhelmed because it does not react… and that pushes you to change it. Put it somewhere else, water it a little, prune it…
All of this is stressful for her, and it’s the worst thing you can do.
So try to forget about it for a bit.
Water only to the touch
In fact, we recommend that for the first few days you only spray water, nothing more. When it’s your turn, water normally, without overdoing it of course.
NOW You already have the keys to recover a plant in excess of water. Has this ever happened to you? How did you act?