⚡ Quick Problem Fixes

🚨 ACT NOW (Within 1-2 Hours)

• Severe wilting with wet soil → Root rot
• Plant fell over, roots exposed → Physical damage
• Heavy pest infestation → Spreading rapidly
• Frost damage overnight → Cell damage
• Chemical burn from fertilizer → Salt toxicity

⚠️ Today (Within 6-12 Hours)

• Moderate pest damage
• Fungal disease spreading
• Severe nutrient deficiency
• Underwatering (dry soil, wilting)

📅 This Week

• Mild nutrient deficiency
• Slow pest buildup
• Minor fungal spots
• General maintenance issues

Fix #1: Overwatered/Root Rot

Time: 30 minutes Cost: ₹50-100

Symptoms:

Wilting with wet soil, yellow leaves, mushy stems, soil smells bad

Quick Fix:

1. STOP watering immediately
2. Remove plant from pot
3. Shake off wet soil gently
4. Cut away any brown/mushy roots with clean scissors
5. Mix hydrogen peroxide solution: 1 part 3% H2O2 + 4 parts water
6. Soak remaining roots for 5 minutes
7. Repot in fresh, well-draining soil
8. Don’t water for 3-5 days

Fix #2: Severe Underwatering

Time: 10 minutes Cost: Free

Symptoms:

Drooping, crispy leaves, bone-dry soil, soil pulling away from pot

Quick Fix:

1. Fill sink or bucket with room-temperature water
2. Submerge entire pot for 10-15 minutes (bubbles will stop)
3. Let drain completely
4. Mist leaves with water
5. Move to shade for 24 hours
6. Remove any dead/crispy leaves after 48 hours

Recovery time: Plant should perk up within 2-4 hours

Fix #3: Aphid Infestation

Time: 15 minutes Cost: ₹0-50

Symptoms:

Clusters of tiny green/black bugs on stems, sticky leaves, curling leaves

Quick Fix (Choose One):

Option A: Water Blast (Free)

1. Take plant outside or to shower
2. Spray ALL surfaces with strong water jet
3. Focus on undersides of leaves and stems
4. Repeat daily for 3-5 days

Option B: Dish Soap Spray (₹10)

1. Mix: 1 tsp dish soap + 1L water
2. Spray all surfaces until dripping
3. Let sit 10 minutes
4. Rinse with clean water
5. Repeat every 3 days for 2 weeks

Effectiveness: 70-90% reduction in 1 week

Fix #4: Powdery Mildew

Time: 10 minutes Cost: ₹20-50

Symptoms:

White powdery coating on leaves and stems

Quick Fix:

1. Remove heavily affected leaves (bag and trash)
2. Mix spray: 1 tsp baking soda + 1 tsp dish soap + 1L water
3. Spray all surfaces (top and bottom of leaves)
4. Spray in evening (not hot sun)
5. Repeat every 5-7 days until gone
6. Improve air circulation around plant

Recovery time: New growth should be clean in 1-2 weeks

Fix #5: Nitrogen Deficiency (Yellow Lower Leaves)

Time: 5 minutes Cost: ₹10-50

Symptoms:

Lower/older leaves turning uniformly yellow, upper leaves still green

Quick Fix (Choose One):

Fast Option: Liquid Fertilizer

1. Mix: 1 tbsp liquid NPK fertilizer per 4L water
2. Water plant with solution
3. Results in 5-7 days

Budget Option: Compost Tea

1. Mix: 1 cup compost in 4L water
2. Let sit 24 hours
3. Strain and water plant
4. Results in 10-14 days

DIY Option: Urea

1. Dissolve 1 tsp urea in 4L water
2. Water soil (not leaves)
3. Results in 5-7 days

Fix #6: Blossom-End Rot (Tomatoes/Peppers)

Time: 10 minutes Cost: ₹50-100

Symptoms:

Black/brown sunken spot on bottom of fruit

Quick Fix:

1. Remove affected fruits (they won’t recover)
2. Mix: 1 tsp calcium nitrate per 4L water
3. Spray leaves weekly
4. Water consistently (same time daily)
5. Add mulch to retain moisture

Prevention for next fruits: Consistent watering is key

Fix #7: Spider Mites

Time: 20 minutes Cost: ₹0-250

Symptoms:

Tiny yellow spots on leaves, fine webbing, leaves look dusty

Quick Fix:

1. Isolate plant immediately (spreads fast!)
2. Spray ALL surfaces with strong water jet
3. Wipe leaves with damp cloth
4. Spray neem oil solution (if available)
5. Increase humidity (mist daily)
6. Repeat water spray daily for 1 week

Pro tip: Spider mites hate humidity. Keep leaves misted.

Fix #8: Heat Stress/Wilting in Sun

Time: 5 minutes Cost: Free

Symptoms:

Wilting during hot afternoon, recovers at night, soil is moist

Quick Fix:

1. Move to shade immediately
2. Mist leaves with cool water
3. Don’t water soil if already moist
4. For permanent fix: Add 50% shade cloth
5. Water early morning (before 8 AM)

Note: This is normal for many plants in 35°C+ heat

Fix #9: Magnesium Deficiency

Time: 5 minutes Cost: ₹10-20

Symptoms:

Yellow between veins on older leaves (veins stay green)

Quick Fix:

1. Mix: 1 tbsp Epsom salt in 4L water
2. Spray leaves OR water soil
3. Repeat weekly for 3 weeks

Recovery time: Improvement in 5-7 days

Cost: Epsom salt is ₹50-100 per kg (lasts for months)

Fix #10: Transplant Shock

Time: 10 minutes Cost: Free-₹50

Symptoms:

Wilting, drooping, slow growth after repotting or planting

Quick Fix:

1. Water thoroughly (until drains out bottom)
2. Move to partial shade for 1 week
3. Mist leaves daily
4. Don’t fertilize for 2 weeks
5. Optional: Spray with seaweed extract (₹200-400)
6. Be patient – can take 7-14 days to recover

Prevention: Water well before transplanting, keep as much root ball intact as possible

Neem Oil Substitutes

• Dish soap spray: 1 tsp per 1L water (for soft-bodied pests)
• Garlic spray: Blend 10 cloves + 1L water, strain, spray
• Water spray: Just strong water jet (works for aphids)

Fungicide Substitutes

• Baking soda: 1 tsp + 1 tsp soap per 1L (powdery mildew)
• Milk: 1 part milk + 9 parts water (powdery mildew)
• Removal: Just remove infected leaves (early stage)

Fertilizer Substitutes

• Compost: Top-dress 2-3 inches
• Banana peel tea: Soak peels 2 days (potassium)
• Eggshell powder: Grind and sprinkle (calcium, slow)
• Aquarium water: From water changes (nitrogen)