How to deal with root rot of Clivia

Causes of root rot

Unsuitable environment

When the temperature is high, the humidity is high and the ventilation is poor, the fleshy roots of Clivia are prone to rot.

In addition, the water content in the soil is difficult to evaporate for a long time, resulting in poor air permeability. The roots are soaked in water for a long time, causing discoloration and rot of the roots.

Improper fertilization

The fertilizer in the nutrient soil is not fully fermented, causing heat and root burns, leading to root rot. Improper fertilization during the growing period or excessive amounts of fertilizer will cause the fertilizer to come into contact with the roots, leading to root burn, affecting the root absorption capacity, and damaging the root tissue and causing root rot. Pay attention to applying fertilizer frequently in small amounts.

Root injury

If the roots are injured, they may break or rot when you repot or divide the pots. You must completely remove the rotten fleshy roots, apply charcoal or fine ash to them, and let them dry. Then add soil and pot them to prevent the injured roots from directly contacting the nutrient soil and bacteria and rotting.

The potting soil is not suitable

Poor air permeability. Using ceramic pots, plastic pots, etc. will result in poor air and water permeability of the soil in the pots, causing root rot.

The soil quality is poor and bacterial diseases may erode the fleshy roots and cause rot.

Symptoms

Symptoms of root rot in large Clivia plants

If the roots of some adult large Clivia plants rot, the tips of some leaves will dry out, the leaves will turn black, and they will wither and fall off. Corresponding to the above reasons for Clivia root rot, you need to find out why the Clivia has become like this before you can deal with the root rot.

Symptoms of root rot in small Clivia plants

Young Clivia has very few roots and they are extremely delicate. If root rot occurs, all the roots will soon rot and the leaves will droop. Therefore, small plants of Clivia need extra care from everyone.

How to deal with it

Adjustments in water and fertilizer management

Do not water Clivia too much, water it in moderation. Excessive watering will cause the nutrient soil to contain too much water and have poor air permeability. The roots will not get enough oxygen, resulting in root rot. When watering, be careful not to pour water into the center of the Clivia, so as to prevent water from flowing along the stem to the roots and causing water accumulation. Watering is usually done once every 2 weeks, along with fertilization.

Potting soil treatment

The nutrient soil bought from the market has poor air permeability and the soil is too raw or too mature. If the soil contains incompletely decomposed ingredients, long-term watering and fertilizing in the potting soil will generate heat, which will easily cause root rot. Or the homemade flower soil is sticky, has a high water content and is not easy to evaporate, and has poor air permeability. Bacteria will invade the plant through the wounds and cause root rot. Therefore, the choice of flower soil before planting is very important.

If the flowerpot for growing Clivia has poor air permeability, you can consider replacing it with a porcelain pot or a stoneware pot.

Treatment of Clivia root rot (picture)

Remove rotten roots: Remove the Clivia with rotten roots from the pot, gently peel off the soil, then rinse the roots with water and clean the rotten roots with scissors. If any leaves turn yellow or limp, it is best to cut off the damaged leaves as well.

Disinfection: Soak the cleaned roots in 0.1% potassium permanganate solution for 5 minutes, then dip them in a little sulfur powder, wood ash or carbendazim, and then dry them in a cool place (about 2 days).

Clivia root rot treatment after potting

After the disinfected roots are replanted, you can add appropriate amount of river sand to promote root growth. Appropriately increase the temperature of the plant and control it at 22~30℃. After two months, new roots will grow and it can be transplanted back into the nutrient pot soil. After planting, you must control watering and do not water unless the soil is dry to avoid root rot again. Just place it in a cool and ventilated place.

Precautions

Thorough disinfection

This thorough disinfection not only refers to the disinfection of the roots of the Clivia, but also the disinfection of the soil in the repot to prevent the roots from continuing to rot.

Temperature and moisture control

After treating the root rot of Clivia, the temperature of the potting environment should be kept at 20-25 degrees Celsius, and the ventilation must be good. In addition, watering less and keeping the soil in the pot too wet is not only not conducive to rooting, but also poses the risk of rotting again.

Also note that after the root rot is treated, the flower pot should be placed in a place with scattered light and avoid direct sunlight, because the Clivia is very fragile at this time. Just think about it, the roots have been cut off, so of course you have to treat it gently!

Keep your hands

Some flower lovers think that the roots of Clivia are rotten. Although they have been treated and transplanted into pots, they still need to check the roots from time to time to see if there is any sign of further rotting. In fact, such an approach is not only meaningless, but also increases the chance of Clivia being infected with bacteria.