Chili Padi - Saving An Over Fertilized Plant

If you read my previous post, you will know that I put my plant into a war zone and the plant is fighting for it life due to over fertilized.

Of course, I tried to perform "Saving Private Chili Padi". But, the situation is not optimistic when I first look at it. The plant was literally "botak"

To save a plant from over fertilizing, we need to solve the problem on the soil level because the soil is contaminated by the fertilizer. If there are excess fertilizer on the top layer of the soil, you need to scope it away. But, if you only realized the plant is over fertilized after some time (just like me), the best way is to flood the root system.

In the next picture, you see that the soil was flooded with water. Literally, I am washing the fertilizer away from the soil and the root.  

Next, I wait for the water to drain away. And I flooded the soil once again. I repeat this procedure for at least 10 times for day 1.

On day 2, to my surprise, I see green leaves started to grow at the bottom of the Chili plant

Of course, I flood the soil and drain the water for another 10 times on day 2.

The flood and drain procedure lasted for a week. But of course, I reduced the frequency at Day 3 to 8 times, Day 4 to 7 times and so on.

Below is a growing Chili plant after 1 week of flood and drain rescue.

After 1 week of flood and drain, I resume normal watering practice. The reason is to prevent the possible next issue - root rot. This could happen if you over water the plant.

Fortunate for me, my Chili plant starts to grows flowers after 3 weeks.