Dealing with Root Rot

[Sapere_Ceta]

Hi everyone! I added a cryptocoryne hudoroji recently to my plant holding tank on December 3rd. 
The other plants I ordered, some other types of cryptocorynes too, are doing really well. I am pretty certain this is my mistake for not cutting the stems or roots back initially. But regardless, within days of adding the plant, it melted back completely. 
I haven’t had aquarium plants for years because my disability made me have to take down all of my aquariums, and I’m trying to currently have one 20 gallon (to hopefully not push things over the edge, but still allow me to do what I enjoy). So I am pretty rusty. I feel as though I waited it out too long, and now the majority of the roots are very smelly and soggy (definitely rotting). I cut them back to about an inch, and removed any yucky goo off the top of the base of the plant. Is there anything else I should do, and should I continue to be patient or is the plant not going to make a comeback? 

Edited December 15, 2020 by Sapere_Ceta

[Koi]

I wouldn't worry too much, crypts and some other plants tend to consume their old leaves to create new leaves that are better suited for your tank conditions.  Crypts are rather slow growers so definitely give them some time to anchor themselves in your substrate. Within a week you should be able to see new growth coming from the middle of the plant.

I know at least from my own crypts, after being moved, it takes at least a month for the roots to really grab hold and settle in.

Also I'll ask these just in case (but i think you already know this):

1. are you dosing liquid fertilizers or root tabs?

2. are you burying the plants past the roots?

[Sapere_Ceta]

4 minutes ago, Koi said:

I wouldn't worry too much, crypts and some other plants tend to consume their old leaves to create new leaves that are better suited for your tank conditions.  Crypts are rather slow growers so definitely give them some time to anchor themselves in your substrate. Within a week you should be able to see new growth coming from the middle of the plant.

I know at least from my own crypts, after being moved, it takes at least a month for the roots to really grab hold and settle in.

Also I'll ask these just in case (but i think you already know this):

1. are you dosing liquid fertilizers or root tabs?

2. are you burying the plants past the roots?

Thanks for the feedback! That’s definitely comforting. I have been a bit worried because I only see one root not affected by the rot, but I’m hoping cutting them back a little has given them a chance to encourage new growth. 
at the moment, I keep them in holding pots with rock wool until I plant them. I’ve been using liquid fertilizers and dose them regularly. I keep the base of the plants sticking out of the top (so only the roots are completely covered). I’m waiting on seachem fluorite substrate to arrive for my twenty gallon, but mail is pretty delayed, so that’s why they’re currently in rock wool, rather than soil. But it’s temporary luckily. 

[Kat_Rigel]

I also just got a crypt hudoroji! It melted back 100% in just one day- not a single leaf left on it. I followed up with the company that sold it and they just said to fertilize the heck out of it (liquid and root tabs.) I haven't seen much improvement but its only been a week, at least the roots are not mushy like you have described. 

Per the seller, its a very sensitive plant (so why did they rate it like a 3 out of 10 difficulty?)

[Sapere_Ceta]

1 hour ago, Kat_Rigel said:

I also just got a crypt hudoroji! It melted back 100% in just one day- not a single leaf left on it. I followed up with the company that sold it and they just said to fertilize the heck out of it (liquid and root tabs.) I haven't seen much improvement but its only been a week, at least the roots are not mushy like you have described. 

Per the seller, its a very sensitive plant (so why did they rate it like a 3 out of 10 difficulty?)

It sounds like we might have gotten the plant from the same seller potentially (as the rating was the same). I’ll up the fertilizers a bit and maybe a little more gradually from then on. It sounds like yours could definitely make a comeback, with the roots being good! Maybe it will take some time. I have one little root left untouched, and I’m hoping that will grow into a few more, and maybe I’ll cut the rotted ones gradually away as more grow, if it happens. I’ve purchased one more because I’m pretty determined to try a different approach! Will cut back the stems and roots this time! If both don’t come back, I’m giving up on the plant for now 😂

[Koi]

1 hour ago, Sapere_Ceta said:

Thanks for the feedback! That’s definitely comforting. I have been a bit worried because I only see one root not affected by the rot, but I’m hoping cutting them back a little has given them a chance to encourage new growth. 
at the moment, I keep them in holding pots with rock wool until I plant them. I’ve been using liquid fertilizers and dose them regularly. I keep the base of the plants sticking out of the top (so only the roots are completely covered). I’m waiting on seachem fluorite substrate to arrive for my twenty gallon, but mail is pretty delayed, so that’s why they’re currently in rock wool, rather than soil. But it’s temporary luckily. 

I was confused at first of how you were able to see the roots because i was assuming the crpypt was planting but that fact that its potted makes alot of sense to me now haha. Everything you've mentioned sounds great and I think you're plant is on track to recovery.  

I just wanted make a few suggestions which may sound obvious but not sure exactly where you are level wise with plants.

Crypts are heavy root feeders and I think i saw mentioning that you had a few different types of crpyts so I feel root tabs would be a good addition to your liquid ferts.

Leave space around your plant so that it can grow out real big

Patience is key for this plant. Once you decide to plant it I would definitely leave it alone for at least a week without trimming it or moving it. Allow the plant to absorb its leaves so it can make new ones. After maybe two weeks you can help trim the rest of the melting leaves but i just want to emphasize  that all these changes will shock the plant and you would actually help the plant more by giving it time to heal.

I also wanted to share a few pictures to maybe give you an idea of the speed of growth you can expect and you dont necessarily need constantly prune melting leaves.

In this tank you can barely see where i planted the crpyt wendtii, its under the anubias and planted around the rocks. I actually completely that the plant was there for a good time i just let my snails eat all the die off

This is a exactly a month after and it hasnt really grown at all

and this is 4 months from planting

I think regular dosing and a root tab will go a long way , its just you gotta give the plant some time to adjust. 

[Koi]

2 hours ago, Kat_Rigel said:

I also just got a crypt hudoroji! It melted back 100% in just one day- not a single leaf left on it. I followed up with the company that sold it and they just said to fertilize the heck out of it (liquid and root tabs.) I haven't seen much improvement but its only been a week, at least the roots are not mushy like you have described. 

Per the seller, its a very sensitive plant (so why did they rate it like a 3 out of 10 difficulty?)

Man i've never had any of my plants completely melt off like that, but hey you never know it could still come back. I think you'll be fine with regular dosing and the root tab. Especially since your crypt can still be transitioning it wont use alot of nutrients

[Sapere_Ceta]

1 minute ago, Koi said:

I was confused at first of how you were able to see the roots because i was assuming the crpypt was planting but that fact that its potted makes alot of sense to me now haha. Everything you've mentioned sounds great and I think you're plant is on track to recovery.  

I just wanted make a few suggestions which may sound obvious but not sure exactly where you are level wise with plants.

Crypts are heavy root feeders and I think i saw mentioning that you had a few different types of crpyts so I feel root tabs would be a good addition to your liquid ferts.

Leave space around your plant so that it can grow out real big

Patience is key for this plant. Once you decide to plant it I would definitely leave it alone for at least a week without trimming it or moving it. Allow the plant to absorb its leaves so it can make new ones. After maybe two weeks you can help trim the rest of the melting leaves but i just want to emphasize  that all these changes will shock the plant and you would actually help the plant more by giving it time to heal.

I also wanted to share a few pictures to maybe give you an idea of the speed of growth you can expect and you dont necessarily need constantly prune melting leaves.

In this tank you can barely see where i planted the crpyt wendtii, its under the anubias and planted around the rocks. I actually completely that the plant was there for a good time i just let my snails eat all the die off

This is a exactly a month after and it hasnt really grown at all

and this is 4 months from planting

I think regular dosing and a root tab will go a long way , its just you gotta give the plant some time to adjust. 

Haha, no worries at all! It’s good to know that I seem to be on the right track. 
 

That all definitely makes sense. I’ll keep that in mind for when I am able to plant it. I appreciate the extra tips! 
 

That’s cool, seeing the progression of growth over time. I’ll make sure to remain patient and leave it be when planted. Would love to someday have beautiful growth that’s shown in your aquarium! 

[Koi]

14 minutes ago, Sapere_Ceta said:

Haha, no worries at all! It’s good to know that I seem to be on the right track. 
 

That all definitely makes sense. I’ll keep that in mind for when I am able to plant it. I appreciate the extra tips! 
 

That’s cool, seeing the progression of growth over time. I’ll make sure to remain patient and leave it be when planted. Would love to someday have beautiful growth that’s shown in your aquarium! 

I was very much the same way when I started to try to grow plants excited and anxious. I would stare at my plants for hours as if i could physically see the plants growing haha. I also always looked for something wrong in my plants when nothing was there so I completely understand what you're going through, we've all been there.

I hope the progression pictures will help alleviate some of that anxiety and give you an idea how long it takes for this plant to start thriving. You definitely have all the pieces to making a beautiful tank just try to sit back and enjoy the process a little more

Would love to see an update (hopefully a successful one)

 

[Sapere_Ceta]

11 minutes ago, Koi said:

I was very much the same way when I started to try to grow plants excited and anxious. I would stare at my plants for hours as if i could physically see the plants growing haha. I also always looked for something wrong in my plants when nothing was there so I completely understand what you're going through, we've all been there.

I hope the progression pictures will help alleviate some of that anxiety and give you an idea how long it takes for this plant to start thriving. You definitely have all the pieces to making a beautiful tank just try to sit back and enjoy the process a little more

Would love to see an update (hopefully a successful one)

 

Yeah! I watch them a little too much probably haha, but I can’t do much besides sit on the couch all day, so it can be nice.. unless it’s something like this, because it gives me something to try and worry about when I probably shouldn’t 😂

They definitely did help put my mind at ease! I’m excited for it, so I’ll make sure to not focus on it so much, and enjoy the time it takes to get to where I’d hopefully like to be. 
 

I’ll make sure to take progress photos and share them! 😊