Root Rot

Root Rot

Root Rot is exactly what it sounds like. It's what happens when a plant has been over watered to the point that the roots are not getting enough oxygen, causing decay of the roots and most often killing the tree. Once the process starts, there's usually nothing that can be done, which means the only way to beat it is to know how to avoid it. Over watering (especially in an indoor plant) can cause the roots to not get enough oxygen which will choke them off and start the rotting process. This is also a big problem when growing with hydroponics. This is why you should always have an aerator, much like a fish tank.

When mulching trees outdoors, you always need to remember to not put more than 2 inches of mulch on a tree that hasn't developed a strong root system yet. For a tree that is well developed, 3-4 inches is okay.