Root Rot (Pythium / Phytophthora / Fusarium)
Brown, slimy, foul-smelling roots with persistent wilting that does not respond to watering. Caused by an anaerobic root zone - usually overwatering in soil/coco, or warm low-oxygen reservoirs in hydro. Once advanced, recovery is unreliable; prevention with cool oxygenated water and beneficial microbes is the only durable fix.
What usually causes it
- Overwatering / waterlogged or poorly drained medium
- Reservoir or nutrient solution temperature above ~20-22 C (DO drops sharply with temperature)
- Insufficient air-stone or recirculation in DWC / hydro systems
- Contaminated water, reused medium or unsterile equipment
- Damaged roots from transplant shock, root aphids or fungus gnat larvae
Related product categories
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