Root Rot???

[Alex Delarge]

I played with hydroponics this season. Was photo plants in 6 inch flower pots, using river rock, with some perlite. When I dumped the pots, there was a bad smell, and the upper roots were brown, and the bottom roots were grey. The pots seemed to be root bound.



I was under the impression hydroponics did not grow extensive root systems. I know I picked up bacteria, when they were outside, in the heat of the summer. Had to adjust PH at least twice daily.

What should I do next time?? Bigger pots, hydroton, less watering (top fed every 2 hours, for 5 minutes, during daylight), etc.??

Thanks for any advice!!!!

 

[JM]

keep the root temps cooler.... bacteria thrve if its too high... i havent run hydro in a long time... but i think 65-70 F max... otherwise you get the exact issue you speak of... there are other tricks too, I'm sure the hydro guys will chime in..

 

[Stunted]

My guess is the nutes or some other thing you added was organic, got hot and fermented causing root rot....and I am probably very wrong

Depending on your grow area temps and plant needs you may be able to water every 4 hours, that gives it extra time to drain.
What nutrients are you using?

As for the roots system, generally all plants will use up all available space including MJ....

Stunted Roots
:smokebuds:

 

[Taviddude]

Hydroponics for cannabis should be done inside. Hydroponic plants can grow massive root systems. I always run my hydroponics setup at around 78 degrees and I don't have any issues with root Rot. H202 Is great to add every once in awhile If you suspect any type of Root disease or recovering from it. Hydro is actually really really simple. You have far more control over what goes in n out of the plan then you could ever have with soil. I would say if you're going to experiment with hydroponics try to get the right stuff to experiment with. You can start with as little as a base nutrients and Cal Mag supplement and have good results as long as your ec n your pH are in line. You should never have to adjust pH twice a day. I would have suspected a bacterial problem right away. If you are using nutes made for hydroponics once you set the pH you only have to adjust it every once in awhile. Only use pH up and down that is made specifically for hydroponics. Other than that really it's pretty easy. Hydroponics pretty much runs itself.

 

[Alex Delarge]

My guess is the nutes or some other thing you added was organic, got hot and fermented causing root rot....and I am probably very wrong

Depending on your grow area temps and plant needs you may be able to water every 4 hours, that gives it extra time to drain.
What nutrients are you using?

As for the roots system, generally all plants will use up all available space including MJ....

Stunted Roots
:smokebuds:

Nutes was Miracle Grow, calcium nitrate, MKP, and MagiCal, all added separatley. Tried to emulate TechnaFlora 3 part system. Plants looked fine, except some yellowing of leaves, at the end. Not all plants had problems. Think it was the ones with poor drainage.

 

[JM]

Not all plants had problems. Think it was the ones with poor drainage.

ahhh!!! that sounds more like overwatering or lack of aeration due to medium porosity... :smoke:

 

[Alex Delarge]

Hydroponics for cannabis should be done inside. Hydroponic plants can grow massive root systems. I always run my hydroponics setup at around 78 degrees and I don't have any issues with root Rot. H202 Is great to add every once in awhile If you suspect any type of Root disease or recovering from it. Hydro is actually really really simple. You have far more control over what goes in n out of the plan then you could ever have with soil. I would say if you're going to experiment with hydroponics try to get the right stuff to experiment with. You can start with as little as a base nutrients and Cal Mag supplement and have good results as long as your ec n your pH are in line. You should never have to adjust pH twice a day. I would have suspected a bacterial problem right away. If you are using nutes made for hydroponics once you set the pH you only have to adjust it every once in awhile. Only use pH up and down that is made specifically for hydroponics. Other than that really it's pretty easy. Hydroponics pretty much runs itself.

Have the TechnaFlora sample pack, I got on E-bay. Will try some parallel experiments next time. Have been using about 10 ounces of distilled white vinegar a day, for 10 gallons, to keep PH in line.

 

[Taviddude]

Yeah man that's a crazy amount of pH adjusting. Definitely get some PH up and down made specifically for hydroponics. It's potent so it doesn't raise your EC. If I added 10 ounces of vinegar just once to my 35 gallon reservoir I would have to dump it out and start over. Also the pH buffers made specifically for hydroponics can actually be used as food for the plant

 

[leeold7]

Hydroponics for cannabis should be done inside. Hydroponic plants can grow massive root systems. I always run my hydroponics setup at around 78 degrees and I don't have any issues with root Rot. H202 Is great to add every once in awhile If you suspect any type of Root disease or recovering from it. Hydro is actually really really simple. You have far more control over what goes in n out of the plan then you could ever have with soil. I would say if you're going to experiment with hydroponics try to get the right stuff to experiment with. You can start with as little as a base nutrients and Cal Mag supplement and have good results as long as your ec n your pH are in line. You should never have to adjust pH twice a day. I would have suspected a bacterial problem right away. If you are using nutes made for hydroponics once you set the pH you only have to adjust it every once in awhile. Only use pH up and down that is made specifically for hydroponics. Other than that really it's pretty easy. Hydroponics pretty much runs itself.

I would like to ask

Ratio?

Thank

 

[Taviddude]

I would like to ask

Ratio?

Thank

The ratio of nutes?