How to Save a Plant with Root Rot (Part 4)
In this video, we check in with Henry, the Ficus (rubber tree plant) that we originally saved from root rot in September 2019. Now, five months later, Henry is thriving. See his healthy, shiny, new leaves and how he is now standing straight on his own.
Hello and welcome to HealthyHousePlants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors.
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In today’s video, I’m giving you an update on Henry, my beloved ficus tree (rubber tree) that I saved from root rot. This is part of the ongoing root rot series. I wanted to show you how well he’s been doing—he’s really thriving! You can see some new growth here, with brand new leaves. He’s even started branching out, now with two top branches, whereas before he only had one.
The new leaves are looking incredibly healthy. I had to stake him earlier to keep him upright because he was leaning significantly. But now, as you can see, he’s able to stand up all on his own. These new leaves don’t droop like some of the older ones, which were affected when the plant was struggling with root rot. While the older leaves still show some drooping, the new ones are buoyant and healthy, a clear indicator that Henry is recovering well.
I’ve been carefully monitoring his watering, using a moisture meter to ensure I don’t overwater him again, as that’s what triggered the root rot in the first place. Right now, even though he was watered several days ago, the moisture meter still shows that the soil is a bit on the moist side. You can also check soil moisture with a wooden skewer; if the soil clings to it, there’s still moisture in the soil.
It’s important to check moisture levels in several spots because some areas might appear dry while others are still moist. I usually wait until the meter reads around three, nearing dryness, before watering again. Henry is happy to show off his progress today—there’s a lot going on, especially with the new top growth, and he’s just going to keep getting bigger and healthier. We’ll check in with him regularly, and it’s great that he no longer needs staking.
Remember, you can leave stakes in as long as the plant needs them, as long as they’re loosely tied and not strangling the branches.
That’s it for today. This journey with Henry started back on September 6, 2019, and if you look back at the first video, you’ll see how far he’s come.
Thank you for stopping by. Please leave any comments about indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see, and don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video!
What is Henry the ficus tree?
Henry is a ficus tree (rubber tree) featured in our root rot series. He was saved from root rot and is now thriving with new growth.
How did you save Henry from root rot?
Henry was saved from root rot by carefully monitoring and adjusting his watering schedule, allowing the roots to dry out and recover.
How can I tell if my ficus tree is recovering from root rot?
Look for new, healthy, buoyant leaves that are not drooping. The presence of new growth is a good sign that the plant is recovering.
When should I water my ficus tree?
Water your ficus tree when the moisture meter reads around three, nearing dryness. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
Should I remove the stakes from my ficus tree?
Remove the stakes only when your ficus tree can stand upright on its own. Stakes should be loosely tied to avoid damaging the branches.
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