Signs of healthy and unhealthy roots in succulent plants

Your succulents are your children and know how to take care of them when faced with excessive watering, underwater, and other definite signs of plant struggle. When fighting your succulents, the first thing to go for is the roots. Catch the early signs of common plant problems with these tricks to check your succulent roots:

What are healthy roots like?

Succulents are elastic and will continue to thrive even if their leaves, stems, or roots are slightly damaged. Healthy succulent roots will always appear white or pale, long enough to hold dirt in the shape of your pot, and veins. Healthy roots also appear moist, and the thickness they derive from the root ball is reduced. If your succulent roots do not like most of the soil in your pot, do not transplant it - instead, let it grow a little more before replanting.

What about unhealthy roots?

Unhealthy roots may appear dry, broken, or dark in color. Alternatively, your succulent crops may suffer if small root tips are visible above the soil surface or if the roots protrude from the drain hole in your pot. When replanting, always check to make sure your succulent roots are healthy! Here are some common root problems that may appear when examining the roots of your plant:

1. Root rot

Root rot is the result of excessive watering, but can also be caused by pests or poor drainage in your pot. The roots of succulent plants that fight root rot appear dark brown or black, and if left untreated, they can spread to other parts of the plant. Root rot dies quickly, so it is best to take care of it immediately.

Solution

There are many ways to treat root rot, and treatments vary depending on how much damage your fleshy flesh is causing. The first method of treatment, the "drying method", is best for early root rot (before any leaves change color), which may take a few days to complete. With this method, remove your flesh from the pot to ventilate and dry its roots. It can be difficult to say whether it cures rot immediately, so it is recommended to leave the roots out for a day or more before replanting.

Another method of treating root rot is pruning the roots. Although cutting roots can be dangerous, it is a common practice in succulent care - trim only the damaged or rotten parts of your roots and let the remaining roots dry before replanting! Using a sharp, clean knife or a pair of scissors, gently trim any damaged or rotten areas on your fleshy roots. Be sure to always trim the area where the rot starts to avoid possible spread. After trimming, always sharpen the roots before replanting, to ensure a greater chance of survival.

Another way to treat root rot is to spray your roots with sulfur. Sulfur is often used in gardens to increase soil acidity, and many gardeners spray their plant roots with sulfur. The sulfur acts like rubbing alcohol on your fleshy roots - it kills the bacteria that grow on the roots, for better or worse. When you spray the roots with sulfur, always make sure that the roots are dry and that your root rot is not caused by excessive watering.

2. Aerial roots

Aerial roots are roots that grow above the soil, on your fleshy stems. Although there is no sign of your succulent being in danger, these white, sometimes pink roots can cause panic when you first see them. Aerial roots are common in plants that prefer moist environments, and you can find them when spreading cuttings. Their appearance on your plant does not mean it is dying, but it may require TLC.

Solution

Aerial roots are a sign that you are not getting your succulent water or nutrients from the soil alone. Therefore, if you find aerial roots in your succulent plants, it may be due to a lack of sunlight, underwater, or an increase in humidity. Changing your succulent environment with more water or sunlight will help the aerial roots to shed themselves. Otherwise, you clean a little couple and You can trim them with sharp scissors.

3. Root is built

Root-bound succulent plants grow taller than their pots, leaving no room to grow or absorb enough nutrients from the soil. To find root-bound fleshy flesh, check the drainage hole in your pot-- if you see roots sticking out, you have a root-bound plant. You can also see if your fleshy parts are tied to the root by removing it from the pot-- if the roots are tightly fitted around the root ball, it is time to relocate.

Solution

The best way is to give a new home with root-bound flesh or trim the roots. Although it is best to replant before the growing season, rooted succulent plants should be replanted as soon as possible. When pruning the roots, use the same method as when pruning for root rot disease. When replanting rooted succulent plants, be sure to remove the roots from the roots and transfer them to a pot at least 10% larger than your current pot as best you can. At least the roots of the plant should be left intact.