Hydroponic root rot: signs, causes and a recovery plan
Brown colour alone is not a diagnosis because some nutrients stain roots. Concern rises when roots are slimy, fragile or foul-smelling and the plant wilts despite wet roots.
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Troubleshooting hydroponics
Diagnose roots, leaves, flow and pests in a consistent order before reaching for another bottle.
13 practical guides
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Algae in hydroponics: block light before adding products
Algae needs light, water and nutrients. The durable fix is to exclude light from the reservoir, channels, plugs and unused planting holes, then clean away existing growth.
Yellow leaves in hydroponics: diagnose by pattern
Start with which leaves yellow first, whether veins stay green and whether roots are healthy. Then check pH, EC, light and temperature before assuming the bottle lacks one nutrient.
Leaf tip burn in hydroponics: why fast growth can fail
Tip burn often appears when rapidly expanding leaves do not receive enough calcium at their edges, even when calcium is present in solution. Airflow, humidity, root health and growth rate all matter.
Hydroponic nutrient burn: recognising excess concentration
High EC, scorched margins and slowed water uptake can indicate an overly concentrated solution. Confirm with a calibrated meter, dilute or replace the reservoir, and reassess the label dose.
Why hydroponic pH keeps rising
Rising pH can come from alkaline source water, plant uptake, fresh media or a small reservoir. Measure source-water alkalinity where possible and correct the underlying setup rather than adding acid every few hours.
Why hydroponic pH keeps dropping
A persistent pH fall can accompany biological activity, root decline, nutrient imbalance or an overly strong correction. Inspect and smell roots before treating it as a meter-only problem.
Hydroponic plants wilting despite water
Wet roots can still wilt when they lack oxygen, are too hot, have high salt exposure or cannot take up water because of disease. Start below the surface, not with another top-up.
Hydroponic seedlings stretching: light and timing fixes
Long, thin seedlings usually need stronger or closer usable light and prompt exposure after germination. Crowding and excess warmth can add to the stretch.
Fungus gnats in hydroponics: remove the breeding layer
Fungus gnats breed in persistently wet organic material, including damp plugs and debris. Let exposed surfaces dry appropriately, remove decaying matter and use traps to monitor adults.
Mould on hydroponic plugs: airflow, moisture and hygiene
White growth on a plug may be harmless fungal growth or a sign the surface stays too wet. Increase gentle airflow, remove dead seed tissue and keep the plug moist rather than saturated.
Clogged hydroponic lines and uneven flow
Roots, mineral deposits, media fragments and biofilm can all restrict flow. Isolate the system, find the first weak point and clean it mechanically before changing the pump.
Indoor hydroponic pests: prevention and first response
Hydroponics prevents soil-borne weeds, not aphids, mites, thrips or whitefly. Inspect new plants, check leaf undersides and isolate a problem before choosing a food-crop-safe control.