We admire the visible parts of the plants, their flowers, leaves or fruits. But the root system hidden in the earth is no less important because it forms the supporting basis. If problems occur here, the entire plant suffers. Such as root rot.
How do I recognize root rot in plants?
Root rot can be recognized by wilting above-ground plant parts, discoloration of the leaves, dead plant parts and soft, mushy or discolored roots. To confirm root rot, closely inspect your plant's root system.
The hidden problem
The roots of every cultivated plant are buried in the soil and are therefore completely hidden from our view. As long as the plant is in excellent he alth, this situation is not a problem. However, if the roots become diseased, it goes unnoticed for a long time. Sometimes this can mean death for the plant. So what else can the presence of root rot tell us in time?
Different triggers of root rot
Root rot can be caused by both fungi and bacteria. Different types of both can be at work. The large number of possible pathogens made it not exactly easy to detect and identify root rot. However, both are important in order to correctly assess the chances of rescue and to take appropriate control measures. What remains first is to look for changes in other visible parts of the plant and to correctly interpret them as symptoms of root rot.
Symptoms that indicate root rot
A typical sign of root rot is wilting above-ground plant parts. Unfortunately, this is often interpreted as a lack of water, whereupon the plant is watered heavily. However, wetness fuels the spread of the disease. The following also indicate root rot:
- Discoloration on the leaves
- z. B. Chlorosis
- dead plant parts
Dig up roots
To be absolutely sure whether your plant is suffering from root rot, you can expose part of the root system or remove the entire plant from the ground. If the root system is damaged by root rot, it can be easily lifted out of the pot anyway because it lacks a firm hold.
- inspect the roots carefully
- soft, mushy roots are not a good sign
- Discoloration also indicates rot
- these are usually brown or black
Which fungus or bacterium actually caused the rot can probably only be determined with certainty in a laboratory. This is not absolutely necessary for the treatment of root rot.
