Potential Hydroponic root problem

[Mcluv102]

I have a drip system going in a closet grow. The roots have grown out the bottom of the pots and have begun reaching down into the reservoir with a few actually now growing in the nutrient solution. My first instinct was to cut it because I though it may cause root rot (I have no air bubbling in my reservoir), but then I didn't because the few roots that actually made it that far grew even more in the solution and looks healthy and I just though it is bad to damage roots and that could put my babies into shock. They are 3 weeks into flowering. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mcluv102]

.....

 

[Brick Top]

I have never grown hydro so I cannot say for sure but I would guess you might want to invest in a bubbler and get some real air into that solution.

I’m sure someone with experience here will be able to give you the right answer though so you should know what to do soon enough.

Good luck, hope all works out well.

 

[grnhrvstr]

Wise choice not cutting the roots!

Im a newb running drip in a moded waterfarm dealing with a root issue for the my first time.Ive got huge root mass but they are not white like they should be.Not slimey but to tan for me not to do nothing but it also may just be some kinda algea also.Im trying out 3% hydrogen peroxide and water only for a full day now and I think its working without any noticeable affect to the plant yet.Theres lots of advise out there on root issues but not all is the same and what works for someone may not work for you but keep at it and you will get it.

Get an air stone in there asap for starters and dont let the nutes/res temp get over 70.
mad luck on yer grow!

 

[smokeybandit22]

you can convert your system into DWC, using airstone and air pump. once they have all grown out of the medium, cut off the dripper.

 

[Mcluv102]

Thanks for the advice. I will try get an airstone ASAP. I cant turn it into a DWC, the pots are on a incline that drains and the roots have grown down the incline into the solution. It is literally only 1 or 2 roots from each plant (2).

 

[smokeybandit22]

Thanks for the advice. I will try get an airstone ASAP. I cant turn it into a DWC, the pots are on a incline that drains and the roots have grown down the incline into the solution. It is literally only 1 or 2 roots from each plant (2).

than keep in mind with the airstone you will be encouraging the roots to grow down into res-they are sneaky little bastards. now the question I have is, can you tell if they are the main tap root? if not-you can trim them just make it sterile. If it is the main tap root, than forget it. You will know if the top of the plant wilts immediately. But you are going to have to figure this out as they will continue to grow down into your res. just my thoughts

 

[grnhrvstr]

you can convert your system into DWC, using airstone and air pump. once they have all grown out of the medium, cut off the dripper.

This is true but what gets me is why?

Im not familiar with any other systems except the water farm drip buckets but I do believe that you might get the best of both worlds (drip & dwc) with them if there is such a thing....lolz.
I think the drip action for younger growing plants helps to draw the roots to the lower bucket quicker with gravity pulling the water/nutes & air through the medium and feeding them at the same time.Sure,once the roots are in the lower bucket the suck up the juice through the upper bucket into the plant but that upper bucket is kinda like a second root ball.So I believe that constant feeding to them is equally importent as feeding the root ball in the lower bucket,but I could be so very wrong on this.Plus the dripping action not only brings nutes & moisture to the upper bucket root ball but air as well.
They say you dont need an extra air stone but I do.I run it 24/7 once the roots showed in the lower bucket and it doest matter if it only 1 or 2 roots,they will love you for it.I run the drippers for 30 minutes every 2 hours when the lights are on and 3 x 15 minute cycles during the dark period.Since I run the waterfarms independent there is no recirculation other than the drip action so is another reason why I like to keep them dripping.

again just experimenting and learning as I go

 

[smokeybandit22]

This is true but what gets me is why?

I think the drip action for younger growing plants helps to draw the roots to the lower bucket quicker with gravity pulling the water/nutes & air through the medium and feeding them at the same time.Sure,once the roots are in the lower bucket the suck up the juice through the upper bucket into the plant but that upper bucket is kinda like a second root ball.

Gonna have to disagree with u here, but based only on my experience. What I found with drippers is that the rockwool cube held everything the roots needed and they didnt go searching for more. In fact I had the opposite problem when converting to DWC of trying to pull them down. If you are feeding properly and timely than these roots have no desire t o search out more. Only from what I have found.

So I believe that constant feeding to them is equally importent as feeding the root ball in the lower bucket,but I could be so very wrong on this.Plus the dripping action not only brings nutes & moisture to the upper bucket root ball but air as well.

The problem is once you are fully DWC than it is imperative to not allow the rockwool cube to become moist, as it leads to a hydroponic overwatering. I hated the drippers and the lines and the timers and the pump and the mess and the pain in the ass. DWC is like that Turkey Oven commercial from old- 'Set it and Forget it'. not really though, as problems arise much quicker in DWC.

 

[Legacy187]

Dude get an airstone and relax. the roots are suppose to grow down into the solution. That's the idea. not trying to be funny but I suggest you pick up a good grow book and read it before you go on here and post because you can get an answer and explanation to simple questions like this one and you don't have to wait or worry about getting bad info.

 

[Mcluv102]

Dude get an airstone and relax. the roots are suppose to grow down into the solution. That's the idea. not trying to be funny but I suggest you pick up a good grow book and read it before you go on here and post because you can get an answer and explanation to simple questions like this one and you don't have to wait or worry about getting bad info.

Ive gotten a few books and have done some extensive research. One of my main issues with letting the roots grow into the solution is that my tray and reservoir are two separate parts and the roots growing down create problems with getting my reservoir out to change the solution. I only have 4 weeks left so I will get the airstone and figure a way to change solution without moving the reservoir. I was thinking about taking a dripper tip off and pumping all the solution out.

 

[Mcluv102]

than keep in mind with the airstone you will be encouraging the roots to grow down into res-they are sneaky little bastards. now the question I have is, can you tell if they are the main tap root? if not-you can trim them just make it sterile. If it is the main tap root, than forget it. You will know if the top of the plant wilts immediately. But you are going to have to figure this out as they will continue to grow down into your res. just my thoughts

How do I tell if it is the main tap root?

 

[smokeybandit22]

it doesnt have any feeder hairs/roots coming off for last 6 inches or so. but with 4 weeks left, I would leave em and deal with it