Are you wondering how to prevent root rot? Root rot is one of the most common diseases in the UK that can affect almost every plant. It happens when your plant’s roots are affected by pathogens that can cause rotting. The roots will turn into mush, and they’ll be unable to transport nutrients throughout the plant. If you can’t control the problem, root rot can be fatal.
What Causes Root Rot?
Different types of fungi, viruses, oomycetes, and bacteria can cause root rot. There are two main reasons why this disease happens: poorly drained soil and overwatering. These bacteria thrive in wet conditions. Wet soil prevents oxygen from getting into the roots. Oxygen-deprived roots will die, and the rot can spread to other unaffected sources.
Weak roots are more vulnerable to soil fungus, which also causes root rot. The fungus can be dormant in the soil, but when the ground becomes soggy, it can come back to life and cause root rot.
How Can You Prevent Root Rot?
When it comes to root rot, prevention is always better than cure. Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid this problem. You have to make sure that you properly water and drain your plants. Here are some of the tips you need to remember:
Tip #1. Water regularly
One of the ways to keep root rot at bay is to water regularly. Otherwise, your plants will not have enough time to dry between every watering, which leads to root rot.
Tip #2. Ensure proper drainage
If you choose to grow your plants in a container, make sure that it has enough drainage holes. In this way, the water will drain out from the pot completely. If water stays too long, it’s going to cause significant problems, including root rot.
Tip #3. Examine the soil
Be sure to examine the soil before you water the plants. The watering schedule depends on the type of plant you’re growing. Some plants prefer to dry out before they need to water again, while others like to stay moist all the time.
Tip #4. Keep the soil aerated
Make sure there’s enough oxygen in the soil for the roots to grow. It also ensures that there’s enough space for water and oxygen to flow. Additionally, aerated soil prevents moisture from building up in the roots.
How Can You Fix Root Rot?
If your plants got infection and you’ve spotted the problem early, you can still save it if you act fast. Here are some of the steps you can take to control the root rot:
Step #1. Pinpoint the issue
One of the signs of root rot is when your leaves start to yellow and turn to mush. Uproot the plant from the container so you can check the roots. If they’re soft, wet, darker than usual, or mushy, you’ll need to treat the roots as soon as possible.
Step #2. Wash the roots
Take the plants out of the pot and carefully remove the soil around them. Remove the affected roots with gardening scissors. Clean the healthy sources by placing them under running water to clean the roots of any pathogens.
Step #3. Repot the plant
Transfer your plant to another pot with enough drainage and fresh soil. If you’re planning to use the same container, make sure to clean them thoroughly. To be safe, it’s better to use a new pot. If the root rot was severe and you had to remove most of the roots, you can prune your plants, so the roots expend less energy.
Step #4. Please place them in a sunny spot
Once you’ve cleaned the roots and repotted the plant, you can return to watering it and fertilising it regularly. Your plant should grow and become a new and healthy plant.
Why You Should Grow Your Plants in a Semipro Greenhouse
Growing your plants in a polytunnel is one of the best investments every gardener in the UK should make. Here are some of the reasons why you need one:
Prevent root rot
With a greenhouse, you can control the indoor climate by reducing humidity levels when you need to. You can also heat the air and venting the warm air out of the greenhouse. In this way, your plants will use up the water much faster, preventing the plant stress and pathogens from developing.
Keep your plants safe from pests
Aphids, beetles, snails, rodents, and other animals and insects can harm your plants. You can keep them safe and healthy by keeping them inside a greenhouse. Keeping them inside a greenhouse reduces the risk of insects munching on your leaves and produce. It also lowers the risk of contracting infectious diseases that may be affecting neighbouring plants.
Protect your plants from inclement weather
Bad weather can wipe your UK garden in an instant. Heavy rain, high winds, frost, and excess heat can easily damage your plants. Apolytunnelprotects them from inclement weather, keeping them safe and healthy inside the enclosure. Once the weather warms, you can transplant them into your British garden if you want to.
Final Thoughts on How to Prevent Root Rot
Now that you know how to prevent root rot, it’s essential to check your UK plants for signs of the diseases regularly. Avoid root rot by planting them in well-draining pots and soil.