Please Help! Can't figure out if I have Root Rot

Hi All,

My first post, any help is greatly appreciated.

This is my first Hydro grow, I'm doing a DTW in a modified GHE AquaFarm. Nutrients are ForaNova series. I've got two plants in this and have just started flowering them. Here is the summary:

- Roots have been "browning" for a while now; but there are no obvious signs of stress on the plants, in fact they are thriving, which is why I am confused whether its actually rot.

- The brown sections are now getting darker, its kind of a slime, but NO smell.

- Since I started noticing the "browning" roots, I added H2O2 which did help with the color but the brown color/slime came back.

- I've since added Hydroguard into the res and am not doing the H2O2 anymore (to maintain the beneficial mircobes from HG).

- My temps did get warm (75-80) initially, following the initial higher temps, I've worked on airflow and managed to reduce the res temps to 70-75. I now have a res chiller that I will be installing soon to keep them between 65-70.

-I'm also using CalMag supplementation because I use RO water; had some initial minor deficiency for Cal early in the grow.

The reason I am still unsure whether its rot is because there are no visible signs on the plant itself, no characteristic smell that everyone refers to, it is growing just fine (at least for now!) I'd welcome any feedback on whether it might be rot or something else; OR if its growing fine, do I just leave it as-is?

Thanks again.

Pull on the roots. If they are slimy, pull away and break, Your working with RR. The smell will be off also.
Don't be shy..... Put up a picture.

Thanks for the response JD; I'll definitely take some pics and post when I check on them later today. And I'll also try what you said as well; previously, I've gently tried to "wipe" the slime but no roots came off, but I cant say that I applied any real force. I'll report back with the results. Any other feedback is appreciated!

EVERYONE HELP THIS GUY OUT AND LIKE HIS POSTS SO HE CAN POST PICS

Many times slime in a hydro grow is algae. It has different colors, brown is one color. It could be Pythium root rot, but right now I doubt it. It's probably algae. The hydroguard might help, or not. You should research what to do about algae in hydroponics. You might have to start all over after a good cleaning. Algae will form in hydro water mix if light is allowed to get in the container or plumbing system. You have seal out all light leaks to reduce the risk. Don't even use clear tubing from a store. Algae slime is a very common problem to new growers in hydro.

Thanks all for the replies and interest. Quick update: as JD suggested (above), I pulled on the roots and they came off, suggesting root rot. Since then, I've started using Hydroguard, installed a reservoir chiller and lowered temps. Plants are very happy and there's a whole bunch of new healthy roots. While the roots are mostly (85%) healthy and robust. There are some brown areas on the upper level (closer to the plant), i.e., the roots that are not submerged in the reservoir. In short, I think I either "arrested" or cured it.

About light leaks, I'm certain there aren't any, it was probably my high temps that caused the issues in the first place. With these measures in place, do you guys think root rot can still come back? I'm concerned that some of the previous 'browning' is still there in a few areas.

ADK7777 said:

Since then, I've started using Hydroguard, installed a reservoir chiller and lowered temps.

Click to expand...

Sounds like you made the proper moves. If the rot returns you may have to ditch the hydroguard and run sterile with pool shock or H2O2. Some have better luck with the beneficial bacteria and some have better luck with the sterile setup. Best of luck with your grow, sounds like you have things lined out now.

Brown roots is usually one of three things, or maybe a combo of them. Fertilizer staining, root rot, or algae. It can be hard to know which is which. good luck.