How to Deal with the Root Rot of Epipremnum aureum in Winter
Epipremnum aureum, as a common indoor ornamental leaf plant, often suffers from root rot due to improper care during winter. Yellowing and wilting leaves, as well as blackening at the base of the stem, often indicate root problems. Timely detection and taking correct measures are crucial for saving the plant. This article will systematically explain the strategies for dealing with root rot in Epipremnum aureum during winter, from environmental regulation to surgical repair.
Emergency Treatment Plan for Epipremnum aureum Root Rot
Temperature Control and Frost Damage Prevention
Maintenance in winter requires maintaining an environmental temperature above 15°C, as roots will stop absorbing when the temperature is below 10°C. When encountering cold spells, three levels of protection can be adopted: 1) Keep away from cold wind passages such as door and window gaps; 2) Use plant insulation covers for night-time protection; 3) Wrap the pot in felt or foam boxes. Avoid direct contact with radiators during the heating season, maintaining a safe distance of more than 50cm.
Key Points for Scientific Water Control
Watering in winter should be reduced to 1/3 of the amount in summer, using the "Three-Finger Detection Method": Insert the index, middle, and ring fingers into the second knuckle of the potting soil, and water only when it is completely dry. It is recommended to use warm water at around 25°C, slowly pouring it along the edge of the pot from 10-14 o'clock on sunny days. Using breathable containers like red pottery can increase the evaporation rate of water by more than 30%.
Attention Points for Nutritional Management
Stop using compound fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from December to February of the following year, and switch to spraying the leaves with a 2000-fold diluted seaweed extract once a month. If there is a deficiency of elements, you can bury 10-15 slow-release fertilizers around the pot, combined with LED plant growth lights for 4 hours of补光 daily to promote the absorption and transformation of trace elements.
Epipremnum aureum Root Repair Surgery Guide
Precise Pruning Operation Process
Prepare alcohol-disinfected pruning shears, carbendazim solution, and perlite substrate. Gently remove the plant from the pot and rinse the roots under running water. Brown soft rot tissue must be completely removed, leaving only healthy white rootlets. The main root should be pruned to no more than 1/3 of its length, with the cut surface coated with charcoal powder for disinfection. Let the roots dry for 2 hours before replanting in moist soil.
Postoperative Care Key Stage
Maintain an environmental humidity of about 70% for the first 3 weeks after repair, using the bagging method to create a mini greenhouse. Avoid direct sunlight before new leaves sprout, and rotate the pot 45 degrees weekly to ensure even light exposure. After new aerial roots appear, you can add HB-101 plant vitality promoter to enhance root development.
Daily Management to Prevent Epipremnum aureum Root Rot
Regularly check the patency of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot and replace the specialized substrate containing 30% pine phosphate every spring. Using the immersion pot method for watering can reduce the risk of root rot, and spray with mancozeb before the rainy season for disease prevention. Establish a maintenance log to record temperature and humidity changes, achieving precise environmental control.