Sometimes, adhering to all the requirements for growing plants can be pretty tricky. As a result, the plants can suffer greatly. We are going to talk about one of these problems today.
QUICK ANSWER: You can overwater Coral Bells if you water too much or use heavy soil. To fix this, transplant Coral Bells to a less humid location using well-drained soil.
Read also: How to successfully cultivate Heuchera.
Why did this happen?
In most cases, overwatering happens because of scheduled watering. You often see recommendations like Coral Bells should be watered once a week. But this is not true if, for example, it has rained during the week and the ground is wet, you don’t need to water at all.
The second reason is too much water. If you water the heuchera more than 2 gallons every time, the ground will get too wet, and the roots will start to rot.
In clay soil, overwatering is common because such soil can hold a lot of water. If it rains for several weeks, it can be enough for the roots to suffer. Drainage should be used to avoid this.
If you are growing your plants in pots, the first cause of overwatering may be a lack of drainage holes.
Signs of overwatering
The first noticeable sign of overwatering is the leaves turning brown. Overwatering causes the roots not to work properly and the leaves not to get enough water.
First, the edge of the leaf turns brown, then it spreads to the whole leaf. Usually, the lower leaves are the first to start changing color. After a while, it spreads to the upper leaves.
The second symptom is leaf petioles drooping. In this case, the roots have stopped working at all and there is very little internal pressure. The leaf petioles bend toward the ground under the weight of the leaves.
And the third symptom is the collapse of the stem base. In this case, the root rot has already turned into stem rot. The stem has been damaged in the lower part and has fallen to the ground with all the leaves. You can also smell the unpleasant smell of rot.
How to fix it?
If the soil around Coral Bells has been wet for a long time and has a brown edge on the leaves, you need to dig the plant out. Clean the roots of the dirt and wash them with water.
Check the plant for rot on the stem and roots. If rot is present, clean it off with a sharp knife or cut off any rotten parts.
Next, dilute three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide in a cup of water and wash the wounds with this solution.
Put the heuchera in a new pot of the proper size, making sure it has drainage holes. Use sterile potting soil. Place the plant in full shade, and do not repot it until it regenerates.
If the roots are completely rotted and the rot has spread to the stem, there is nothing to do but take cuttings. Cut off the parts of the stem that are not rotten and root them in clean seedling soil.
How to avoid overwatering
Use well-drained soil to avoid overwatering in the future. Transplant Coral Bells into a mixture of garden soil and organic matter (compost, soil conditioner, etc.). The amount of organic matter should be about 1 bucket per bush.
Water only when the soil is 2 inches dry. The soil moisture is most accessible to check with a finger test. When watering, use about 1 gallon of water for each plant.
If you have a high water table on your property, use drainage. Pour half a bucket of rocks into the planting hole, sprinkle some soil over them, and then plant the heuchera.
Don’t plant where there is excess water. I mean close to the house where there can be rainwater from the roof or near a pond, etc. Always use pots with bottom drainage and no saucers.
Read more: How Much Should I Water Coral Bells?
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