Overwatering
More plants die from overwatering than from any other cause. Excess water causes carbon dioxide to build up in the soil, which cuts off the oxygen supply to the root hairs. These damaged root hairs begin to die off which causes root rot. The only way to save a plant from overwatering is to exercise caution in watering to begin with. Prevention is the optimum in plant care.
Most overwatering problems seem to become evident within 27 days after the soil is flooded with water. For example, a Ficus, if overwatered to the extent that excess water cannot drain away, will often drop healthy looking green leaves. There is actually nothing wrong with the leaves. What the Ficus is doing is reestablishing a root/shoot ratio of 1:1. When the plant was overwatered, the root system was damaged so that the roots could not support the number of leaves in the canopy. It ejected the appropriate number of leaves to maintain the desired root/shoot ratio. If the overwatering practice is resolved, the plant can grow new root hairs, which will then allow it to begin growing new leaves.
Overwatered plants exhibit the following general symptoms:
- Damaged new growth
- Yellow, drooping foliage
- Black leaf tips
Plants that are consistently overwatered exhibit these symptoms:
- Soft, mushy stems or canes
- Necrotic, wet looking spots
- Excessive yellowing and black tips
- Sour smelling soil
For plants that require large amounts of water or very frequent watering, consider using sippers, putting the plant on a sub-irrigation system, adding growing media, or replacing the plant.
If a plant is overwatered
- If saucer is full of water, dump out water.
- If decorative container has water, dump out water.
- Let plant drain until all excess water is out of the grow pot. Discard this water.
- Squeeze out excess water by gently pressing down on the growing medium.
- Wipe to clean the saucer and inside the deco pot.
- If plant smells bad (which indicates root rot), discard plant.
- Allow root ball to dry somewhat before watering again.
- If possible, increase light to the plant.