The amaryllis, also known as knight's star, is one of the most popular gifts at Christmas time. With proper care, it will delight its owner with a new flower every year. Find out here how to deal with root rot correctly.
How do I save rotten amaryllis roots?
You mustrotten root partsof the amaryllis (Hippeastrum) immediately with a sharp knifecut off so that only he althy roots remain. Rinse the tuber, let it dry well and plant it in fresh soil.
How do I know if the roots of the amaryllis are rotten?
The first symptoms of root rot are usually a drooping flower or yellow leaves. Later the plants wilt. In the worst case, they die. Check the plant's roots by removing the tuber from the soil. He althy roots are light beige or light brown, flexible and firm. Rotten root parts, on the other hand, aremushy, dark brown and smell unpleasant
How do I save my amaryllis suffering from root rot?
If you have noticed root rot on your amaryllis, you need to act quickly. Take the tuber out of the ground, remove the excess soil and examine the roots. Allrotten partsmust becut off with a sharp knife. Then rinse the tuber and let it dry well for a few hours. Fill the thoroughly cleaned pot with fresh new potting soil and reinsert the tuber up to the widest part. Water sparingly in the future.
Why do the roots of amaryllis rot?
Amaryllis are very robust houseplants. If you have illnesses, it is usually due to care errors. Root rot has an easy time withwaterlogging. If you water your amaryllis too much or too often, water will collect in the lower area of the pot. If this cannot drain away little by little, the roots will constantly be in water and rot. This hinders the transport of water and nutrients to the plant and leaves it undersupplied.
How do I prevent root rot on the amaryllis?
With these measures you can protect your amaryllis from waterlogging and root rot:
- Mix expanded clay (€19.00 on Amazon) between the potting soil in the pot. This stores excess water and releases it to the plant when needed.
- Use a planter with holes in the bottom and a matching saucer. This prevents waterlogging from forming in the first place.
- Watering according to the amaryllis' vegetation phase. You should not water at all during the resting phase and moderately during the flowering and growth phase.
Tip
Caution poisonous
The amaryllis is very poisonous in all parts of the plant (flower, stem, leaves and especially the tuber) and can cause death if small quantities are consumed. Even contact with the plant sap can cause skin irritations and allergies. Therefore, always wear gloves for your own protection when working with the amaryllis.
