--- title: "I don't know what to do. I came home from work to find my beloved…" description: "I don't know what to do. I came home from work to find my beloved Groot like this. He's kept on our dining room table and gets sun, but it feels like this…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/uasXX7iPT1bRwSDsN1CxEr" community: "Pests, diseases and problems" author: "Nix Nox" published: "2025-12-04T13:43:40.557631Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/2MrdQsrAhBIzjHokI8hQE21eblKrJzdwKSN0akq74mg/t5kwPjagQb-VV-FuyUyPZQ.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md) # I don't know what to do. I came home from work to find my beloved… _Posted by Nix Nox on 2025-12-04_ I don't know what to do. I came home from work to find my beloved Groot like this. He's kept on our dining room table and gets sun, but it feels like this happened overnight??? There hasn't been any changes in environment aside from weather - I live in wisconsin and we just had our first snowfall, and the temperatures outside have dropped drastically - but the inside temp has stayed the same. I have kept up with water changes and I don't know what else to do... I can't find fertilizer which doesn't make me gag and almost vomit from smell alone... is he gone??? ![Attachment 1 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/2MrdQsrAhBIzjHokI8hQE21eblKrJzdwKSN0akq74mg/t5kwPjagQb-VV-FuyUyPZQ.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/2MrdQsrAhBIzjHokI8hQE21eblKrJzdwKSN0akq74mg/ItwGAcuAT3ercyh5JjBKyg.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 3 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/2MrdQsrAhBIzjHokI8hQE21eblKrJzdwKSN0akq74mg/0HhahUxIQ8CWfSH_Hbpiyg.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 4 of 4](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/2MrdQsrAhBIzjHokI8hQE21eblKrJzdwKSN0akq74mg/jAkj-aC4SeGPYbYcF8t38g.webp?size=large) ## 17 comments ### Madison commented on 2025-12-04 Does the stalk/base feel firm or soft to the touch when you squeeze it? If it’s soft, it looks like it may be a little bit of rot, especially with the way the base is yellowing so quickly for you and the way the oldest leaves are also turning yellow. If it’s firm, it’s probably lack of nutrients. If it’s rotting, you can cut the stem back to the healthy part that’s still green if there is any to re-propogate it. Since it’s a thick stalk, I’d let it dry out for 24 hours before putting back in the water to give it plenty of time to callous over and avoid it rotting further by taking up too much water in a fresh cut. For fertilizer, I really like Dyna-Gro Foliage Pro / Superthrive Foliage Pro; you can follow the directions for hydroponics fertilizer to use it in water propagations. Some people say use 1/2 the strength recommended to be safe. It doesn’t smell at all! #### Nix Nox replied on 2025-12-04 Half of the bottom stalk is green, while the other half is yellow... should I cut it at an angle? All of his roots are at the bottom as he's homed in water (my mental health makes keeping soil based plants hell) so how many roots do I cut? Note: I've already done some trimming, and I will be letting him dry. ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/2MrdQsrAhBIzjHokI8hQE21eblKrJzdwKSN0akq74mg/R8h5OYVdR2i-DUG3mYlh1g.webp?size=large) #### Nix Nox replied on 2025-12-04 The bottom of the stalk feels firm, are there any household things that I could use for nutrients until I can go get fertilizer? This plant is my baby #### Madison replied on 2025-12-04 I’m not aware of any household items that replace nutrients the way a fertilizer does. I’ve heard of people using water from fish tanks, but that would probably cause the smell you’re trying to avoid. #### Madison replied on 2025-12-04 cutting at an angle isn’t necessary but you can if you want to; some argue that it gives more surface area for roots to grow from. you’re probably going to have to cut all the roots off in order to cut back to the part of the stem that’s healthy. It should grow new roots that will be more adapted to water in the long run. #### Nix Nox replied on 2025-12-04 I'll try at an angle then, could you mark where you think I should cut to? _7 more replies in the app_ ### Nunyabzwx commented on 2025-12-04 Awww I'm sorry. Its always sad when this happens. I would say it's probably gone 💔. I would buy a new one. #### Nunyabzwx replied on 2025-12-04 Or peel off the yellow parts. Hopefully its not all yellow. Then stick it back in the water. ### 🌺 Thai Jade 🌺 commented on 2025-12-04 There are liquid fertilizers made specifically for aquarium plants that have a little to no smell. It might be worth a shot. The one I use is API leaf zone. #### Nix Nox replied on 2025-12-04 That sounds great!!! Thanks --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_