What to do if guzmania is flooded?
Guzmania care has its own characteristics associated with the individual character of the plant. A flower growing in nature like an epiphyte at home requires special attention. First of all, this concerns the soil and watering, because, unlike most indoor plants, the guzmania must be watered not in a pot, but directly inside the outlet.
Accordingly, inexperienced florists often have such a situation when the guzmania suffers from excess moisture. Most often this is due to the fact that the plant is abundantly flooded with water, and if at the same time it is planted in heavy soil and a container without drainage holes, the root system begins to rot. The roots of the guzmania are superficial and sensitive to overflow - if the ground is wet all the time, the flower will surely die soon.
However, if measures are taken in time, it is quite possible to prevent a tragic end. So, what can be done to revive guzmania, rotting from overflow?
Stage one: complete removal of old soil
First of all, the guzmania must be removed from the pot. With your hands, carefully pick up all the old wet soil. You should also shake out all the soil from the flowerpot itself, wash it well and dry it.
Stage two: inspection of the root
A bush cleared of soil must be carefully examined. Cut off all rotten roots, and remove rotten or dried leaves, if any.
After trimming the root system, rinse the remaining roots in a pink solution of potassium permanganate to disinfect and prevent the spread of rot to healthy tissues.
Stage three, final: planting in a new soil
Cleared of wet earth and rotten roots guzmania must be planted in fresh soil. It is not bad to use bark for this or a special substrate for bromeliads, to which the guzmania belongs. It can be purchased at any flower shop.
The pot must necessarily have holes for excess water to drain, otherwise the plant will rot again, and it will no longer be possible to save it.
What if there are no roots left after cleaning?
Sometimes, after removing the rotten roots, they do not remain at the outlet at all. In this case, you can try to do the following:
- pour some water into the glass (about two fingers);
- put the guzmania in a glass, while only its lower part should be in the water.
Of course, the rosette is unlikely to grow new roots, but if it was with a peduncle, it is quite possible to support the plant in this way until the children are formed, and when their roots appear on them, separate the young plants and plant. The old bush can then be thrown away.