hydroponics Kratky root issues

[Englander]

Hi Guy's

I'm doing more and more kratky of different sizes and as with all things you will run into issues/problems that have to be overcome.

One issue i think anyone playing /experimenting with kratky hydroponics will almost certainly run into is root rot !

Don't worry it's not the end if the world ! Once you understand the reason/reasons you can treat and indeed prevent the issue.

Spotted this yesterday my 5 litre kratky Fatalii gourmet jigsaw was not looking happy had a few odd yellowing leaves........

You can see the roots look poor slimy and stuck together not at all healthy or happy !

I believe the culprit is Pythium a nasty critter that thrives in low oxygen high temp environments.

Treatment:

Wash the roots in 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide 1 part to 2 part's water and soak for 10 to 15 mins MAX this is to kill off the critters

Next scrub and sterilise the kratky vessel

Next is add 3% hydrogen peroxide at 3ml per litre - so 30ml to my 10 litre water can I mix up my Kratky nutrient mix in this helps add extra oxygen to the kratky set up .

I find I only really get this issue in summer when outdoor temperatures hit mid 20's oC so greenhouse temperatures can get really high even with the door open and auto roof vent.

Regular changing of the kratky solution also helps prevent this issue I'd say this is one of the main reasons if you simply "top up" and "top up" all the time rather than Regular clean and nutrient changes.

Don't let root rot put you off its just one of life's obstacles that has to be overcome not the end of the world

 

[MarcV]

Isn't that 0.3%?

I wonder if there is also a way to treat potted plants, as I had to deal with root rot also...

 

[Englander]

Hi Mark

Yes I believe you can but not researched that .....

3% is the percentage volume of the shop bought container, I believe you can buy it in 3%, 6% and 35%

I have 3% solution from the shop

 

[Downriver]

Hi Guy's

I'm doing more and more kratky of different sizes and as with all things you will run into issues/problems that have to be overcome.

One issue i think anyone playing /experimenting with kratky hydroponics will almost certainly run into is root rot !

Don't worry it's not the end if the world ! Once you understand the reason/reasons you can treat and indeed prevent the issue.

Spotted this yesterday my 5 litre kratky Fatalii gourmet jigsaw was not looking happy had a few odd yellowing leaves........

You can see the roots look poor slimy and stuck together not at all healthy or happy !

I believe the culprit is Pythium a nasty critter that thrives in low oxygen high temp environments.

Treatment:

Wash the roots in 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide 1 part to 2 part's water and soak for 10 to 15 mins MAX this is to kill off the critters

Next scrub and sterilise the kratky vessel

Next is add 3% hydrogen peroxide at 3ml per litre - so 30ml to my 10 litre water can I mix up my Kratky nutrient mix in this helps add extra oxygen to the kratky set up .

I find I only really get this issue in summer when outdoor temperatures hit mid 20's oC so greenhouse temperatures can get really high even with the door open and auto roof vent.

Regular changing of the kratky solution also helps prevent this issue I'd say this is one of the main reasons if you simply "top up" and "top up" all the time rather than Regular clean and nutrient changes.

Don't let root rot put you off its just one of life's obstacles that has to be overcome not the end of the world

Really good info here, Englander. I'm sure anyone playing with kratky will benefit. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!

 

[MarcV]

Hi Mark

Yes I believe you can but not researched that .....

3% is the percentage volume of the shop bought container, I believe you can buy it in 3%, 6% and 35%

I have 3% solution from the shop

So you add 3ml of a 3% solution to 1 liter if I understand correctly?

 

[Englander]

Mark

3ml per litre is added to the two part kratky hydroponic nutritrant mixute in the kratky container. It helps prevent algae and the Pythium partly due to increasing the o2 level in the solution.

I've no idea what percentage or how to use hydrogen peroxide for soil root's but I know you can .......

 

[The Hot Pepper]

I wonder if there is also a way to treat potted plants, as I had to deal with root rot also...

You can try a neem oil solution (with water) root soak with hydrogen peroxide. You have to use some dish soap to emulsify it (when using neem oil) and I prefer castile soap. The amount of peroxide should be easy to find online. I've used this a few times with some shrubs but root rot is hard to fight.

 

[The Hot Pepper]

I prefer this neem oil even though the large is out of stock right now.