What root rot looks like
Healthy roots are usually white to cream and firm. Roots affected by rot turn brown, feel soft or slimy and can fall apart when handled, and the reservoir or medium may smell sour or musty. Above the surface, plants often wilt even though the medium or solution is wet, leaves yellow and growth stalls. These signs are general guidance, not a diagnosis: several root-zone problems can look similar, so record your medium, water source and recent changes before drawing conclusions.
Common causes in hydro and DWC
In hydroponic and DWC systems the roots sit in or above the nutrient solution, so conditions in the reservoir decide root health. Root rot is commonly linked to a warm, poorly oxygenated nutrient solution, to stagnant reservoirs that are rarely changed, and to poor hygiene, such as unclean tanks, tools or equipment shared between systems. This guide deliberately avoids specific water-temperature or dissolved-oxygen figures: describe and measure your own setup rather than working to a number copied from the internet.
Root rot in coco and soil
In coco and soil, root rot is usually linked to overwatering and a waterlogged medium rather than to the reservoir. Roots need air as well as water; a medium that never dries back suffocates them. Let the medium dry back between waterings, make sure pots drain freely and compare the runoff with the solution you pour in. The same general guidance applies: note what changed before assuming a single cause.
Prevention: conditions and hygiene
Prevention is about conditions, not products. Keep the nutrient solution cool and well oxygenated, change the reservoir weekly and clean tanks, pipes and tools between runs. Keep the pH inside the Monkey chart range of 5.5–6.5; as general guidance values only, not label or chart figures, coco and hydro or DWC typically sit around 5.5–6.2 and soil a little higher at about 6.0–6.5. No Monkey Nutrients product, including root stimulators or enzyme products, is presented as preventing, treating or curing root rot.
What to do if you find it
Act on the conditions first. Remove badly affected plants so the problem does not spread, trim away dead or slimy roots on plants worth saving, then clean and disinfect the system and refill it with fresh, correctly mixed solution. Review temperature, oxygenation, hygiene and watering habits before replanting. Severely affected plants may not recover. If you are unsure, describe your system, medium and water source to your stockist rather than reaching for a product as a fix.
Good questions
What does root rot look like?
Affected roots turn brown, feel soft or slimy and can smell sour or musty, while healthy roots are usually white to cream and firm. Plants often wilt even though the medium or nutrient solution is wet.
What causes root rot in hydro and DWC?
Common causes are a warm, poorly oxygenated nutrient solution, stagnant reservoirs that are rarely changed and poor hygiene, such as unclean tanks or shared tools.
Can you get root rot in coco or soil?
Yes. In coco and soil, root rot is usually linked to overwatering and a waterlogged medium; roots need air as well as water.
How often should I change my reservoir?
Change the nutrient solution in the reservoir weekly.
Can a nutrient product cure root rot?
No Monkey Nutrients product is presented as preventing, treating or curing root rot. Correct the conditions: a cool, well-oxygenated solution, weekly reservoir changes, clean equipment and appropriate watering.
