Root rot is two words no grower wants to hear. This destructive fungus attacks the root of a cannabis plant and can destroy your entire crop if you don’t treat it right away. And a destroyed crop means destroyed profits. In this guide, we’ll get to the root of cannabis root rot, covering its symptoms, treatment, and most importantly, prevention strategies.
What Is Cannabis Root Rot?
As mentioned, root rot is a fungus—but it’s a little more than that. Root rot is a bacterial organism that targets weak roots due to excessive moisture, poor drainage, and plant stress.
The fungal spores are too small to see, but they work fast and will jump from plant to plant if left untreated. Organisms like parasitic oomycetes and algae can cause this to happen.
The consequences of root rot can leave you with dead, diseased plants and an empty wallet. That’s why it’s so important to catch symptoms of cannabis root rot early on.
Identifying Symptoms of Cannabis Root Rot
The best way to prevent cannabis plant problems like root rot is to keep an eye out for symptoms. Wondering what root rot looks like? Look for visual cues such as:
- Yellowing leaves
- Brown or yellow stripes
- Wilting or drooping leaves
- Slimy or mushy leaves
- Stunted growth
- Dying or dead leaves
All of these cues can point toward root rot, however, the most telling signs lie in the soil. Check out your plant’s soil and examine for mushy roots or foul odors. Roots may appear slime-like or snot-like, for lack of a better term. They will also likely look yellow or brown.
How to Treat Cannabis Root Rot
The first step in treating cannabis root rot is to find out what’s causing it. Is it your humidity level? Temperature? Water frequency and drainage? A lot of different things can cause root rot, so ensure you’re checking all contributing environmental factors.
Once you’ve identified the issues, remove the plant and let the pot fully dry out. Then, transplant your cannabis into fresh, well-draining soil. Implementing misting and humidification systems can help create the best environment for strong, healthy roots.
Prevention Strategies for Cannabis Root Rot
Even though root rot can be extremely destructive, it’s pretty easy to prevent. First and foremost, make sure you’re giving your plants an optimal medium to grow in. This includes:
- Regulating the temperature
- Watering adequately
- Maintaining humidity levels
- Providing the right-sized pot
Overwatering and small pots are some of the most common causes of root rot, especially for newer growers.
A high-powered misting system like Fogco’s flagship product The Revolution® helps regulate moisture levels and temperature through evaporative cooling.
Misting and Humidification Systems: The Key to Root Rot Prevention and Treatment
Misting and humidification systems provide a fine spray of water at high speeds. These systems help maintain consistent humidity levels, reducing the risk of moisture-related issues like root rot.
By utilizing a Fogco misting system, you can better protect your crop and increase productivity. We recommend using humidity and temperature controllers to understand and regulate humidity levels in your greenhouse or growing space.
Final Thoughts
Cannabis root rot unfortunately happens, even more so with newer growers. However, the good news is that it’s easily preventable. Many growers love to use Fogco’s misting systems for their ease of use and versatility. They’re great for managing temperature and humidity while playing a key role in preventing root rot.
Get the most out of your crop and learn more about our industrial-strength humidification systems for greenhouses. Keep your plants healthy with the help of Fogco. Contact us to get started.
