Wow, Lorn. I went back and you did explain it correctly the first time. I just didn't grasp the gravity of the situation. In addition, I thought to myself: if it got hot, then it's probably normal that a Bleeding Heart would go dormant (Assuming it was D. spectabilis). Your observation of the dug root in the aftermath really brings home the point.
This is so very interesting, and of course leads to more questions...
In regards to overfertilization, your scenario was very extreme. Yes?
I mean, this same action doesn't routinely happen whenever a plant gets overfertilized in the heat. I don't think I have ever looked at the roots of an overfertilized plant. (It would be at the other extreme for me, and I don't think I have ever had the opportunity.) But I would never have expected them to be "bloated". Rather, my expectation would be shriveled.
