Root Issues - How to spot, fix & prevent

A plants rootzone is like the equivalent of our capillary system. The rootzone uptakes water and pumps it throughout the plant – enabling it to grow and live. The health of a plant's rootzone plays a critical role in your plant's success. You will inevitably encounter a rootzone issue at some point. With our help, you will spot it early on, fix it, and learn the best practice to prevent future rootzone issues.

Identifying rootzone issues:
Rootzone issues have numerous symptoms to look for. The most common are as follows:
• Curling or cupping of leaves
Plant leaves curl inwards towards the stem. 
• Plant appearing droopy
Leaves are the biggest giveaway on this, and the stem will lose its flexibility.
• Wilting stems or leaves
Like above, the stem will be soft and weak, and leaves will have lost all rigidness.
• Brown or slimy roots
Healthy roots are white. If your roots are brown or dark yellow, you have a problem. If your roots feel slimy and leave gunk on your hands, they are unhealthy.
• Runoff water smells bad (musty smell)
You are looking for dirty runoff and the damp smell of stagnant water.
• Extremely damp medium
If the medium your plants are in is wet and doesn't appear to be drying out, you most likely have a root issue.
If you notice any of these, check your plants rootzone immediately.

Fixing rootzone issues:
The most common causes of rootzone issues are overwatering, lack of oxygen, and inconsistent/undesirable temperatures. Once you have identified your issue, you can take the necessary steps to restore your plant. If your root problems are too far gone, you may lose the plant.
• Overwatering
Overwatering and overfeeding are some of the most significant issues we see in beginner growers. Overwatering causes the rootzone to drown effectively. Overwatering in hydroponics can happen if you don't let your medium dry out enough between feeds – the rootzone is unable to uptake enough oxygen to live. Let your plant medium dry out to combat overwatering – resist giving it that top-up water you think it desperately needs. If you can put a fan around the plant to create more wind, that will aid the plant in drying out quicker. Make sure there are adequate drainage holes in your pot – even place holes on the side of the pot if needed.
• Lack of oxygen
A lack of oxygen in the rootzone will lead to root rot. If your roots are slimy and brown, you have pythium. You will need to hit your plants with a product designed to rid the rootzone of pythium. We recommend Pythoff by Flairfom. Pythoff helps to combat and prevent root browning (and sliming), and it is non-systemic – meaning you can use it through your plants entire cycle. Roots Excelurator is another product you can use to combat root rot. Roots Excelurator creates a film around the roots – which functions as a membrane, keeping harmful diseases out whilst allowing efficient absorption of nutrients.
• Inconsistent/undesirable temperatures
If your plant is too cold or too hot, it will likely develop root issues. Bacteria and pests love warm, wet environments. If your grow room is too hot, you've got a breeding ground for all kinds of root problems. On the other hand, if your grow room is too cold, your plants won't want to uptake as much water. If you don't adjust the amount of water, they are getting – this will lead to overwatering issues.
Observe your rootzone for several days once you have identified and actioned your issue. If it doesn't improve, you may need to consult your local Hyalite store.

Preventing rootzone issues:
Preventing yourself from further rootzone issues is simple. A few small changes will help you maximise your rootzone, allowing your plant to reach full potentional.
Use rootzone aiding products:
Don't wait for the problem to occur before adding a root-specific product. If you are growing hydroponically – use Pythoff routinely to keep root rot at bay. Our top products for general root health are:
• Roots Excelurator: House & Garden Roots Excelurator is a potent root stimulator. It covers the roots with a type of membrane, allowing for extra protection from diseases and maximum nutrient uptake.
• Root Nectar: Nutrifield Root Nectar is a bio-stimulant used in all systems and substrates. It promotes all aspects of root growth, keeping the rootzone healthy and happy.
• Root Wizard: Emerald Harvest Root Wizard is designed to increase the bioactivity that bulks up the root mass. The microorganisms in Root Wizard aid in the plants absorption and assimilation.
• Rhizotonic: Canna Rhizotonic is an algae-based root stimulant. It helps speed up the growth of roots and can be used throughout the plant's whole lifecycle.
Ensure you're not overwatering your plants:
• The best way to combat this is to check the moisture level of your plants. You can do this in hydroponics by lessening your feed times, allowing the substrate time to dry out. In soil-based systems, you can get moisture meters that tell you the levels. The iBebot Soil Quality Probe is leading the way in this field – it is water-resistant and tells you the moisture levels and the EC of the plant. Another tip is before watering your plant, check the soil below the surface. The soil on top always dries out first and is not an accurate indication of how thirsty your plant is.
Control your grow room temperature:
• There are many reasons why you should invest in temperature control for your grow room, and rootzone health is just one. If you do not already have an extraction fan invest in one, smaller oscillating fans are also helpful to move hot air around throughout the plants canopy. If your room is too cold, look at adding a heat source or moving your room to a more efficient location.

Remember when it comes to plants – prevention is always better than cure. A few small steps can be the difference between a good harvest and a bad harvest.