Yellow Roots???

My Berry Illusion 'Nephthytis' plant seemed to be wilting and the growth seemed stunted. I decided it may be time to replant it. When I did, the roots although appearing strong, were extrememly yellow and while I was removing the old dirt I came across atleast 2 pockets of a slimy gel type substance. The substance had the consistency of jello and it was clear. I didn't notice any particular bad odors in the dirt, the plants root system or the substance. Can anybody tell me if my plant is sick or what the cause of the yellow roots & the substance is??

Did you just recently purchase the plant? Sometimes growers use water absorbing crystals in the soil mix. These crystals swell up in water and look like pieces of clear jello. Otherwise I don't know what it could be.

Can you post a picture? Normally rotting roots will be brown/black and mushy/slimy feeling, but I'm not familiar with this particular plant and how its roots normally look. The slimy gel substance may or may not be problematic--if you had it in moisture control potting mix or added water-retaining crystals, it could just be a chunk of those, or it could be something worse. Did you notice anything else when you were repotting...like was the soil very wet, were the roots starting to circle around the pot, etc?

Ahhh. Well yes. That is probably what that substance was! Thank you. Yes I just bought the plant about a month ago. Now what of those yellow roots?! :)

Again, they did not smell and appeared healthy other than the color. I have another Nephthytis which I replanted and did not notice this color. I should have taken a picture of the roots, now my plant is potted. :( The plant definately looked as if it was ready for replanting. The roots had circled around the entire pot.

This message was edited Jun 18, 2008 8:46 AM

Older roots that have circled the whole plant often look yellowish.They should be teased away from the rootball and any brown tips snipped off.I'm not sure how rootbound the plant was,so the color could be from something that was in the pot.A large plant my nephew purchased had pockets of water crystal jelly and big pieces of something that looked like oil soaked gauze packed around it.Lynn

Thank you all so much. After repotting my plant she seems to be doing very well. I tell you, you cannot kill a Nephythytis! :) I have 3 and they are thriving. The roots, well established are yellow in color. But my plant seems healthy and is growing quite nicely! Thank you all so much for your advice!

Sounds like you are on top of it.Great!!