NFT: Roots are damming up gullies causing brown drowning roots

dont cut the roots/ not good. and welcome to the forum

Originally Posted by Reuben

I am growing in NFT gullies that are 150mm wide. I put freshly rooted clones into the gullies on a 12/12 light schedule. They grow about 50cm high and have good whiteish roots for the first 3-4 weeks but then the roots go brown and when I lift up the wicks to inspect I realise that the water level is too high (10-15mm) and is drowning the roots. The only solution I could think of was to trim the roots. I am also going to raise the angle of the gullies a bit.
But it seems to me that I am going to have to trim the roots to prevent this damming effect.
What puzzles me is that everyone is using these 150mm gullies and I haven't heard anyone mention this problem. If there are wider gullies available then I would get them because I have 50-80mm (approximately) space between the current gullies.
I was thinking a perferated channel of some sort that went down the middle of the gullies could perhaps prevent damming. Like a hose with holes in it that the roots would grow over.
I wanted other peoples experiences and ideas. Has anyone else had this problem. I can't believe it's a rare occurance. Thanks yall.

add some airstones here and there in the gulleys; one per 5'. this will solve your root death problem.

as for brown roots, use an enzyme product to get rid of the dead matter, and use superthrive to boost a new bunch or root growth.

kp

can u transplant a 5 inch net pot w/ hydoton as the medium from one aeroponics table to another and if possible can u cut roots if they tangle

Can anyone tell me how far apart rockwool cubes should be as to avoid roots damming up behind the next one down.