At one time Pythium was considered a fungus but scientists have studied the various strains and reclassified it now as a pathogen. Growers know Pythium as a terribly invasive pest that rots root systems and is very tricky to eradicate.
What it does
Pythium attacks the roots of plants, turning healthy white roots to brown or grey. Root rot is often referred to as a problem of "damping off." Normally rigid root zones begin to slime as they are destroyed and clog the system with dead organic matter. An infected root mass is of course the perfect environment for pathogens to flourish and can quickly circulate to contaminate other plants, particularly in hydroponic growing systems.
While Pythium can and does cause damage in soil it is by its nature better adapted to live in water; certain varieties in fact produce small spores that move through the water, infecting plants throughout a hydroponic gardening system. Even problematic for growers is the fact that these spores are able to remain viable for a significant period of time so they must be especially vigilant when ensuring that their growth medium and tools are completely sterilized and the problem of Pythium truly conquered.
Prevention tips
- Start with a sterile hydroponic system. Prevention is the best offensive move. Hygrozyme, when used from the start, will help ensure that the environment is not conducive to pathogens such as Pythium.
- Ensure your water source is clean. Tap water is often treated in Canada and the United States, but growers using rainwater or well water or other sources must be conscious that the source may be contaminated. Again, treating the reservoir of a hydroponic system with Hygrozyme will work to break down dead organic matter and naturally sterilize the environment. It is beneficial for soil growers as well by ensuring that dead organic matter is broken down, faciliating absorption by healthy root systems.
- Keep the water and environment clean. Continue to use Hygrozyme at maintenance doeses to ensure dead organic matter does not build up and supply pathogens with a rich food source.
- Proper oxygenation is crucial. An oversaturated medium often leads to problems with Pythium because a lack of oxygen results in an anaerobic environment, perfect for encouraging rot and the ideal conditions for pests and pathogens. For soil growers, perlite will loosen the soil and promote drainage to help prevent problems in the root zone.
- The best temperature in a hydroponic environment is around 68 degrees. Lower and the plant roots don't absorb nutrients as well; higher and pathogens will flourish. Note that salt or heavy metals in the water will decrease saturation levels and result in a more welcoming environment for pathogens.
How to get rid of Pythium
- Think clean. Rid the area of all organic debris such as leaves or stems, paying attention to the plants, your floors, the sides of the reservoirs - every place you can see. It must be removed from the area to ensure recontamination does not inadvertantly occur.
- Be sure to sterilize absolutely everything that could come in contact with your plants, from pots or gardening tools to your clothing or buckets for water. Often people forget about items such as cleaning rags, hoses or PH testers.
- Add Hygrozyme to your water so that any lingering dead matter is broken down and the area becomes inhospitable for problematic diseases or organisms.
- Quarantine new plants to ensure they aren't bringing pests or pathogens with them to the now clean and sterile grow area.
- Set up a schedule for cleaning everything so that you don't fall behind or forget. Vigilance is essential or you could quickly be overrun.
- Just as we're told to wash our hands to avoid human diseases, be sure to wash your hands frequently to minimize the risk of spreading contagions around your plants and equipment.
Stubborn case strategy
Rather than using chemicals that could be harmful to people and the earth and leave behind residues that can further damage plants, we recommend using Hygrozyme in maintenance doses. Other enzyme concentrates contain bacteria to break-down organic matter but Hygrozyme does not. Why introduce potentially harmful bacteria if you can use Hygrozyme's non-toxic formula that is safe for any plant and is OMRI certified?
Most importantly, know when to start fresh. Pythium can be extremely difficult for the most experienced of growers to battle. For this reason prevention is the best strategy; if you don't get every bit of the Pythium pathogen out of your grow area it could come back with a vengeance. If you need to, cut your losses and start with a thoroughly clean and sterile grow environment and fresh plants. Plan to use Hygrozyme from the very start to keep everything clean from dead organic matter and the roots healthy, sterilize everything properly regularly and always be careful to keep absolutely everything clean.
