Stories from the Infirmary with Joy, The Gardener’s Center houseplant guru…
Root-bound Rabbit Foot Fern
The Diagnosis
This gorgeous Rabbit Foot Fern grew around its textured pot and became so entangled with its home that it became root bound (aka pot bound).
A plant becomes root bound when a plant overgrows its pots, the roots become a dense, tangled web, and there’s more roots than soil.
Since plants need soil for nutrients and moisture, this led to a watering issue that also inhibited the plants growth.
The Cure
- Joy carefully loosened the “feet” that had grown into the grooves of the pot, then cleaned up the dead feet and foliage.
- Once it was released from the exterior of the pot, Joy had to loosen it from the pot itself.
- Since the plant was so root-bound, Joy whipped out her trusty hammer and, with permission from the owner, cracked the pot open. After that, she up-potted the fern into a 6″ plastic nursery pot, providing it the ideal 50% roots to 50% soil potting ratio.
- Finally, she gave the fern a fresh drink of water and sent it home to complete its healing journey.
Peace Lily Lamentations
The Diagnosis
This Peace Lily was bringing its owner everything but peace!
Its browning leaves indicated that there was a watering issue. Upon further inspection, Joy also found some rotted roots. The root rot confirmed her suspicions – Peace Lilies like moist (not wet!) soil, so she believes this plant had sat in standing water for too long.
The Cure
- Joy cleaned up the dead foliage and roots, then re-potted the Peace Lily into an appropriately sized pot for its root structure, following our 50/50 soil-to-roots rule.
- When this Peace Lily was ready to go home, Joy advised its parents on proper watering techniques to keep it happy and healthy.
Desperately Dehydrated Orchid
The Diagnosis
This orchid came in with a handful of other orchids from a concerned plant parent. While they all had varying levels of concern, this one definitely stood out!
The shriveling, wilting leaves and grayish roots indicated that this orchid was severely dehydrated!
The Cure
- This cutie needed a drink, and badly! Joy knew that a regular watering wouldn’t be enough to rehydrate the roots and leaves, so she dropped it in what she likes to call a “soaking bath.” She sat the orchid down in about an inch of water, then kept a close eye on it.
- It ended up taking 3 whole days in the soaking bath before its leaves finally plumped up and its roots transitioned back to that lively green color we love to see.
- After it made a full recovery, Joy sent the orchid back home with proper watering instructions for its plant parents.
