Chopping off roots?

While changing the water in my DWC system, I came across a personal issue that simply could not be postponed or ignored. So the plants just sat out of water for 2-3 hours.

That seems to have caused the roots to die. The main shoots at least.

Maybe it was something else, but this seems to be the most logical explanation for it. Considering the timing of it.

Anyhow, the roots are all brown and it looks like root rot. The leaves on the plants (which are about 2 months old and still in veg) are showing clear signs of deficiencies and burn. Which I can only assume to be due to the dead roots not being able to pull up enough nutes.

OK. So the main root mass looks bad, but the plants have all sprouted out a ton of new roots. They are still quite small, but are growing out from everywhere. I assume that this new sprouting is based on necessity, since the main root is dead.

So.. the question I have is this: Should I cut off the main root? Part of it? Now or once the new roots have developed more, if at all?


Here are a couple pics. As you can see, the main roots look like they are dead or dying, but the new roots are sprouting out from all sides and looking good. If this was pythium/root rot, wouldn't it be effecting the new roots as well? If not then is it safe to assume that these roots were just left out for too long? Either way, to chop or not?

bump.. ive gotta know how to proceed

Im not sure, but avatar is cool.

im no expert but if i were you i would try to untangle them and try to clean them and see if that helps at all b4 just chopping them off

almost looks like if you had to chop it just chop it where it is the darkest because the tan roots look like they might be healing and what may also be keeping it alive?

michomikhail said:

im no expert but if i were you i would try to untangle them and try to clean them and see if that helps at all b4 just chopping them off

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I've put putting a lot of H2O2 (35%) directly on the root mass. It seems to of helped a little bit, but they still arent looking 2good.

michomikhail said:

almost looks like if you had to chop it just chop it where it is the darkest because the tan roots look like they might be healing and what may also be keeping it alive?

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yeah, maybe i will give it some more time. just wondering if leaving all those dead roots in there was a good idea.

thx

If they are dead i would take it out of there. It sure and heck is not going to hurt anything. They are rotting. Take the rot out and you will get less rot.

Dirtyboy said:

If they are dead i would take it out of there. It sure and heck is not going to hurt anything. They are rotting. Take the rot out and you will get less rot.

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Do you think the new roots will pick up the slack? I am hesitant to cut off that main root, but if it's dead it's dead (nearly dead at least)

Yes it will heal and start growing again. Once healed they will grow like crazy.