Good luck! I look forward to the progress report.
I've been obsessed by roots and aeration since I killed EVERY seed and seedling in three trays by overwatering.
I only figured the problem out when I grew something a lot more tolerant, and over-watered it less. Then, looking at the "roots" showed me that I didn't really have "roots", more like nubbins of rotting plant flesh TRYING to become roots.
Since I can't very well give the roots floatation devices to keep them above water level, I've been on a crusade ever since then to make really fast-draining potting soil mix that won't hold too much water. That's where my bark fetish came from, and my peat aversion.
If I water a pot and nothing comes out the bottom within 30-45 seconds, I go on the warpath to find out why and fix it. I don't mind watering frequently - in fact, I can't hardly stop myself from watering frequently.
But YOUR potting soil looked pretty coarse, which is good. Maybe set the pot up a bit, like on chopsticks or pebbles, so that it doesn't sit right down IN water that drains out.
Thank you for the stimulating question! I hope your plants do come back.
