Anyone else ever experienced ( what I’m going to call ) shy roots? Where they just don’t want to enter into your nutrient solution

Stomate

Active Member
RDWC system and this is the second time this has happened. Roots will come out of the net pot and just stop above the solution. Plants will continue to grow due to the solution being splashed up on them.
400ppm at 5.8 ph
 

Wastei

Well-Known Member
You probably have to small gap between the net pot and water level. Netpots should be dry in DWC, not constantly splashed with water IMO.

Most common beginner error is running to high water level starting out in DWC. Treat it like drain to waste(water through the netpot) and let the roots find their way to the reservoir. More bubbles and air is not necessarily better, just enough to saturate the solution with dissolved oxygen is the best amount.
 

bluegill

Well-Known Member
Nope, never had this happen with DWC or RDWC. I usually run the water up to the base of the netpots and let the plants sip it down an inch.
 

Stomate

Active Member
You probably have to small gap between the net pot and water level. Netpots should be dry in DWC, not constantly splashed with water IMO.

Most common beginner error is running to high water level starting out in DWC. Treat it like drain to waste(water through the netpot) and let the roots find their way to the reservoir. More bubbles and air is not necessarily better, just enough to saturate the solution with dissolved oxygen is the best amount.
I had the water level about an inch below the bottom of the net pot and the net pot itself has a riser of about an inch and half where the bottom of the rapid rooter sits. They’re the current culture 6 inch net pots. The past two times I’ve ran into the same issue where it took too long to get them started but once they finally agreed to meet up with the solution everything took off and the plants did great.
actually just discovering that I have a lot of roots growing up towards the top of the net pot ( removed my covers ) so you very well may be correct. Too much splash keeping it moist enough to sustain roots towards the top
 

Stomate

Active Member
You probably have to small gap between the net pot and water level. Netpots should be dry in DWC, not constantly splashed with water IMO.

Most common beginner error is running to high water level starting out in DWC. Treat it like drain to waste(water through the netpot) and let the roots find their way to the reservoir. More bubbles and air is not necessarily better, just enough to saturate the solution with dissolved oxygen is the best amount.
Assuming you top feed until the roots make contact?
 

Wastei

Well-Known Member
Assuming you top feed until the roots make contact?
Yepp! I start with very little aeration. You can increase aeration slightly as they grow but the most common root for failure except pythium root rot is running a to wet main root core that never get dried out causing an environment for pathogens to grow in DWC. Kelp extract and Silicate supplements helps keeping root rot at bay and so does water chillers and oxidizers.

All the best of luck!
 

amneziaHaze

Well-Known Member
I do it the same as you and no problem.what do you mean stop? For 2 months or a week or 2.
Its normal for a plant to grow a few roots then stop grow some leafs the. Stop grow some roots then stop.....
Give it time.some plants will grow a long main root then open up and some will start with side rots
 

foliage2018

Well-Known Member
I had exact the same issue in NFT. Mine issue was all about water contamination with aluminium and other toxic metals.
Do you use everything plastic/rubber/stainless steel?

There is no reason for roots not growing into water unless something is killing them.
 

Stomate

Active Member
I had exact the same issue in NFT. Mine issue was all about water contamination with aluminium and other toxic metals.
Do you use everything plastic/rubber/stainless steel?

There is no reason for roots not growing into water unless something is killing them.
Turns out that my issue was running a sterile system… Running sterile has worked for me on a number of grows but this time the roots wouldn’t accept even the smallest amount of chlorine. Drained and rinsed the system, made up a new batch of solution with ORCA ( had it kicking around) just to try and the roots took right off.
Wish I would have tried it sooner. Few weeks of wasted time and electrical fees
Are you growing bud in an NFT?
 

foliage2018

Well-Known Member
Yep, chlorine in abundant amount could do this too. Very fast rhizotoxicity.

I am actually trying to grow bud in NFT. My first run, many issues (unresolved aluminium intoxication for 2,5 months). Then I applied SiO2 as an aluminium treatment, but that made a huge mess in my growing tubes. The silicate formed polymers that made gel like substance which stick to all the roots and killed them. And many more steps...soI have cut all the roots and let them make new fresh ones.... aaaaaand here I am. Roots growing into the water, new shoots growing. Fingers crossed. Hope it wont be 3 wasted months for nothing.
 
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