monstera plant

Instead, think about the various factors that are conducive to *root rot*
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Yes, excessive moisture is one of them, but plants outside are clearly not experiencing mass die offs every time there’s a lot of rain
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A key factor for root rot to take hold is poor oxygen in the root zone – this is mitigated by having a porous substrate. Bulky things like perlite, bark chips, and Leca balls increase porosity when combined with finer particles like coco coir and peat moss
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Air flow above the soil and the trickle of water down from the soil surface (top watering) helps to cycle oxygen down through the root system
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Lastly, and most importantly – LIGHT (and the all-caps is about the importance of light, not the intensity)
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Light drives photosynthesis, which allows the plant to sustain itself and grow. A starving plant will have weak roots and be more susceptible to getting rot regardless of how careful you are with watering or how porous your substrate is
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Link in profile: my online course goes beyond just do’s and don’ts. It’s about understanding how plants work so you’ll enjoy them and be more confident in your care