What to do if the fortune tree has rotten roots

Symptoms of root rot

Leaves turn yellow and fall off

Flower lovers often ask: "The leaves of my money tree suddenly turned yellow and began to fall off in large numbers. What is the reason for this?" It is very likely that your precious money tree has root rot. When the roots of the money tree rot, it will hinder the normal transportation of nutrients and water, causing the leaves to turn yellow or even fall off.

Bark falling off

Although the saying "people need face and trees need bark" sounds rough, it is the "truth" in the plant kingdom.

When the roots of the money tree rot, it will also show up on the bark. Careful flower lovers may find that the trunk of the money tree in their home has sticky secretions near the roots, and white hair like mold appears. It feels soft when touched lightly with the hand, and the nearby bark will fall off.

Causes of root rot

Water accumulation in the basin

Root rot of the money tree is usually caused by water accumulation in the pot soil. If there is too much water in the pot, the roots will be in an overly humid environment for a long time, their breathing will be blocked, and the roots will become soft and rot.

There are two main reasons for water accumulation in the basin. One is excessive watering; the other is poor ventilation and excessive humidity and heat.

Pests and diseases

When the money tree is invaded by pests and diseases, it may also cause root rot. Due to the poor water quality and wet soil in the pot, it is very easy for pests and diseases to breed, eat the roots and cause rot.

Common diseases and pests that occur on money trees include powdery mildew, root rot, and root rot nematodes that parasitize in the soil.

How to solve the root rot of fortune tree

Root treatment

When the leaves of the plant turn yellow and the bark becomes soft, prune the roots in time. Cut off the yellowing leaves and keep only the buds.

Remove the woody stems, do not deal with the roots yet, and clean the soil at the bottom.

Use scissors to trim the roots and cut off the rotten parts. If the rot is severe, just cut off all the messy roots.

If the stem also begins to rot, the rotten part needs to be removed and become pieces.

Place the treated rhizomes in thiophanate methyl or potassium permanganate solution and soak for 24 hours; or spray the wound with prochlorperazine. Then dry it in a cool and ventilated place and replant it.

Drug treatment

When root rot and other pythium pathogens are active, spray with chlorpyrifos, thiabendazim, ridomil or thiophanate-methyl. The drug effects usually last for about two weeks.

In addition, for insect pests on money trees, non-fumigant nematicides such as carbofuran, carbofuran, miler, and phorate can be used for insecticidal treatment.

How to prevent root rot

Soil matrix

If you want to grow a healthy money tree, you need to provide it with an excellent soil matrix that must have good air permeability.

A good cultivation medium with good air permeability and water permeability can be prepared by mixing pond mud, river sand, and fermented sawdust in a ratio of 5:3:2; or by mixing mountain mud and river sand in a ratio of 7:3.

You can also go to the flower market to buy special gardening nutrient soil and anti-rot and anti-corrosion root granules.

Look at the soil and water it

Watering is an important part of maintenance and management. When caring for the money tree, you must strictly control the amount of water.

When you find the soil turns white, water it thoroughly. The money tree does not need to be watered every day. It can be watered once every five or six days at normal temperature. It is better to keep it dry than wet. And you should pay attention to the hygiene of the flower pots. If the small holes in the pots are blocked, they should be cleared in time.

Here, the editor would like to add one more thing. According to feedback from many flower lovers, the money tree is very likely to die from root rot due to over-watering during cultivation. So if you don’t know how to control the amount of water, you must resist the urge to water the money tree frequently.