How to make homemade root rot spray?
Written by
Olivia Mitchell
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Homemade root rot sprays often utilize common kitchen ingredients to create natural remedies. I have used these in the nursery for years, and they have an excellent effect on fungal pathogens. Garlic spray is a powerful agent that kills harmful microbes. Cinnamon creates antifungal barriers. Chamomile tea helps soothe damaged roots. A decoction of horsetail strengthens the plant's defenses against degeneration and disease. Spray on a small area of the soil before widespread use.
Garlic Antifungal Spray
- Blend 8 garlic cloves with 1 quart water
- Steep mixture overnight for full potency
- Strain through cheesecloth to remove solids
- Store in dark bottle for up to 2 weeks
- Apply to soil and stems every 10 days
Chamomile Healing Drench
- Brew 5 tea bags in 1 pint boiling water
- Steep until water cools completely
- Dilute 1:1 with fresh water before use
- Apply as soil drench after pruning
- Use weekly during recovery phase
Cinnamon spray: Mix 3 tablespoons powdered cinnamon with one cup warm water, and allow to settle for 2 hours. Strain and use. This will give your orchids a powerful antifungal barrier and should be sprayed directly on those exposed roots after any pruning is done. I found that my orchids bounced back quite quickly; they must have enjoyed that! Reapply after rain or by watering.
Horsetail decoction (made from fresh horsetail). Simmer 1 cup of chopped horsetail in 4 cups of water for 30 minutes. Cool and strain. This silica-rich spray helps to strengthen cell walls, which ward off new infections. It saved my ferns in my humid summers.
Combine these sprays for even better results! Start with garlic spray for initial pathogen defense. Follow with the cinnamon solution on any cut surfaces. Finish with the chamomile tea; not only does this soothe the roots, but you've also created a protective barrier. You are nourishing the roots in the meantime. This worked wonders in controlling root rot in my monstera. Follow the same rotation once a month for continued prevention!
Store homemade sprays properly. Store them in dark containers (preferably glass) and keep them away from direct light. They should be refrigerated for a longer shelf life; with refrigeration, this will be about 3 weeks. Label the containers with the date they were made. If it shows signs of mold, discard it! Always treat a new batch on one plant to test for reactions before spraying the whole garden. Remember, safety first!
Read the full article: How to Treat Root Rot: Save Your Plants Now
