I was very pleased with first growing cycle in new NFT systems, but suddenly change in root color and nutrient solution color. I did add some fertilizers to increase the EC, and some hydrogen peroxide as well at the same time. Roots don't smell bad so far.
I'm going to flush nutorents and run some time with extra hydrogen peroxide.
by Orion1333
6 Comments
Most of my healthy grows have roots this color especially the older ones. In my experience as long as they aren’t slimly or have a film on them you’re good.
Green water isn’t good though. That’s algae eating your nutrients. Cover or paint your nutrient container better so light doesn’t hit the water.
Just aged, they oxidize and turn light brown over time, dark brown and black (with black roots usually being dead) are more root rot colors. Green water could be algae starting to develop or your nutrients depending on the color it is hit it with hydrogen to be sure.
No not at all change the water. Cool the temp and make sure u ph . Root rot is ugly and stinks to high heaven .
The plant looks 👌 to me . Change the water
Do you know what necrotic tissue smells like? You will when it’s root rot. The nose knows.
You want to see white to warm tones in your roots. Think about roots in the dirt, they’re either white or brown, similar thing here, it’s normal coloration as they age and toughen up.
Root rot in my experience brings in cool and neutral tones, greys and even some blueish tints, which seems to coincide with water rot in other organisms. But seriously, that smell will knock the wind out of you, it’s horrid.
I think you nuked your roots with the hydrogen peroxide. Went a little too hard. The lettuce can tolerate it and will grow back but it will slow it down a bit. Source: I use hydrogen peroxide regularly to cut the pathogen load in my tanks and this color is what I look for to see if we flushed it long enough or if we turned the water to the greenhouse gutters too quickly. I’m running a 35 day cycle so I don’t have room for this significant of it but if you aren’t in a crop schedule you should be alright