Have I killed my pink princess? When I water her, water goes straight through the soil. I’m back to bottom watering for her, but half the leaves are brown and wilted. Yet every time I water her, it seems like she’s not drinking it up. Can’t tell if it’s over or under watering these days.
Hello - The pot seems very small for this plant. Based off other symptoms as well, checking the roots would be best, I’d recommend repotting to a larger pot with good soil and trimming off any roots that are mushy or rotting. I’d also maybe trim the plant itself down and take propagations of what you can. She’s definitely not dead and can bounce back!! Good luck
0 likes Thanks! I repotted this plant in a local plant shop over the summer and they said the roots and size were perfect. I always worried I needed a bigger pot but they (and others on planta) have assured me these guys are vertical climbers so no need to go bigger. I’ll wait and see if others say the same as you! Thanks for your input. I would probably like to propagate at some point because she’s so tall.
1 like I agree getting too big of a pot can be rough for plants, personally, I’ve had great luck with philodendrons specifically being in a larger pot and then giving them room to climb. Hope yours gets better!
1 likeYou always want to check your roots before upsizing. It should be based on the root ball and not the size of the plant above the soil. A good rule of thumb is if you have 50% roots to soil it’s time for a larger pot, and you want to go up 1-2” larger than the root ball. Watering running straight through usually indicates hydrophobic soil, or needing an upsize. I wait a day or two after a watering and then you can usually gently lift the whole plant out of the pot to have a look at the roots.
1 like Thanks! The rootball is quite small. I repotted this plant in the same pot, new soil over the summer. So it’s all fresh, and I’d have thought it would last a while 🤔
0 likes Here are the roots! I don’t feel any mush… the roots are just so small and delicate. What do you think?
May I ask what mix you are using for soil? The soil could be compacted and therefor not actually absorbing all of the water you’re giving her!
1 like This is a regular potting mix. I read online about mixing coco coir, orchid bark, and worm castings… what do you think? I’ve had this plant for over 2 years and she’s been totally fine in regular potting soil since then. I also fertilize once a month! I do have orchid bark and perlite on hand if I need to aerate her a bit.
0 likes I would def do a mix with orchid bark, mine thrives in tropical soil mixed with perlite and orchid bark! She likes to drain out pretty well and she’s very variegated!
1 like Thanks! I can definitely repot it. I checked the roots and they seem fine? Just super fine and delicate. Do you think it’s root rot, or maybe I need to switch to a more tropical/chunky soil? It’s only a 4” pot so pretty small.
I’d keep the same pot, the roots look pretty small compared to her size but I’d give her a more chunky mix for sure! With more aeration she should grow some more roots and work on fixing her stem system!
1 like Thank you! I’ll try this first. Lots of other people saying to propagate but I know these are climbers. I guess I could, I sometimes feel like she’s so tall the base can’t hold.
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If the water is running right through the pot, your soil is likely hydrophobic. Bottom watering can definitely help rehydrate but she probably needs some fresh soil. Also, check her roots - are they brown/ mushy or is she super rootbound?
0 likes Roots aren’t mushy! Just super fine/delicate. Here’s a photo. I repotted her in July with fresh soil but maybe I need a chunkier mix?
Those roots aren’t looking very healthy- healthy roots are usually white and firm. Root rot doesn’t always show up as brown, mushy roots; if the soil has gone hydrophobic and water hasn’t been reaching the root zone, the roots can dry out and shrivel.
1 like Oh, I see. Thanks a lot. Would you recommend repotting and hoping they grow? Or is there not much of a solution? I didn’t think it was hydrophobic… I bottom watered her for a while and she totally soaked everything in earlier this month. Honestly it’s gone downhill from then so maybe she needs a chunkier soil?
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I don’t think she needs a bigger pot. Unfortunately what I think you are dealing with is root rot. I would definitely take her out of the pot to check the roots and the soil.
0 likes Thank you! I will check. I’m surprised since I just repotted her a few months back, but when the leaves turn color and are droopy and soft, it makes me wonder.
0 likes Hi there! Finally checked on the roots. There’s just not many, and they are super fine/delicate. Not sure it is root rot?
Weird question but do they smell? Root rot smells and you’d know pretty quick by taking a whiff. If not then I’d say repot with chunkier mix and increase humidity!! Best of luck friend and happy gardening!!
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