Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. This is especially true when it comes to water in the soil. Heavy rains (or poorly managed sprinklers) can lead to water stress just as easily as drought. Water stressed plants quickly become susceptible to pests and diseases they would normally be able to handle on their own. Root rot is a common result of over-watering and poor drainage, especially in houseplants. Once root rot occurs, the plant is doomed.
Symptoms of root rot
One sign of root rot is the presence of fungus gnats. These tiny black flying insects love to eat decomposing organic matter. Wilting is another common symptom of root rot. Leaves may turn red, purple, or yellow. You may also notice darkened areas in the bark at ground level. If you peel the outer bark away, you may see reddish-brown streaks within the inner bark. Preventing root rot Since root rot will kill your plants, prevention is paramount. These tips can help:
Water is a precious resource and there is no sense in wasting it, especially when it threatens the health of your plants. You may be surprised at how little water plants really need. In light of the current drought, our household has reduced water consumption to only 25% of what it was 3 years ago. I was still able to produce hundreds of pounds of food while maintaining the health of my landscape. How do you conserve water in your garden?
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