Article 3-5 Root RotPerhaps you can help me by giving me information on combating root rot in my
hydroponic garden. This has just started about one month ago but I have lost
many plants at this point. The culprit is root rot. How do I stop it? I love
your magazine and have learned lots from it. Lynn: Rot, or decomposition of the roots
is caused by anaerobic conditions in the root sphere. If the grow area
(especially at the roots) is cool in temperature the plants don't take up water
as fast and the roots choke from insufficient oxygen when surrounded by standing
water. If growing in peat, raise the containers off the cold floor with wooden
slats or steel mesh so that air and heat may circulate. Line the bottom of your
containers with grow rocks or perlite to improve drainage. In recirculating
hydroponic systems the culprit can be too that the nutrient solution is moving
too slowly for the depth of water. If the room temperatures are too high, oxygen
becomes deficient and disorders such as Pythium will travel and infect all the
plants through the root zone. Pathogens introduced into the system are suspect
if you don't have any of the problems mentioned in the above. Some supplements
help fortify the roots against infections. Some are products of fermentation
such Rootshield, or beneficial bacteria such as Ascend. Some are plant extracts.
Use a water chiller to combat high water or root temperatures, and an aquarium
heater to prevent cold roots. U.V. sterilizers can help to defend against contaminants
in the reservoir. Note that roots can die in intense light if they are not
surrounded by 100% humidity. Any light leaking into the system?
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