How to Examine Black Eyed Susan Roots
Given the right growing conditions a black-eyed Susan can produce bountiful amounts of yellow blooms with dark centers. Healthy specimens are tall plants ranging from 18 inches to as high as 72 inches. Flowers are perky looking and very similar in structure to daisies. However, your glorious garden bed of black-eyed Susans may become infected with root rot before you know it. Learn how to examine black-eyed Susan roots and potential treatments.
Check your black-eyed Susans for symptoms of root problems. Establishing whether a plant truly has root rot just from looking at the blooms and foliage can be a bit difficult. One of the most obvious signs of trouble is dull looking foliage color and leaves that begin to turn yellow or shows signs of wilt. Rule out bug infestations and lack of water before you bother to examine black-eyed Susan roots.
Examine the root system of black-eyed Susans by digging up a clump of them that you suspect have root rot. Put the plants in a bucket full of water and gently move the plant from side to side to remove a little of the surrounding soil from the roots. If you disturb the soil too much, you could remove the rotted tissue. Look for healthy firm white roots indicating a healthy plant. If you see discolored roots that are thin and appear to be blacker or brown in color rather than white, you are probably looking at root rot. When roots are soft and not firm this can be another indication.
Treat the conditions that cause root rot. Soil fungi, over watering and poor soil drainage can lead to root rot. Many of the fungi that cause root rot inhabit the soil and grow in moist conditions. If you have potted plants you can remove the majority of soil from around the plant and replant using sterile potting soil. Water when topsoil is dry.
- Change the growing conditions. Garden beds of black-eyed Susans may be successfully treated for root rot by changing the growing conditions. Examine your watering schedule and do not over water. Over crowding too many plants in one bed leeds to higher moisture conditions. Pull out a couple of plants to improve lighting and let plants dry out more after watering. Reshape the garden bed to improve soil drainage.