root rot?

[cron]

ok my plants leaves started drooping then they started drying out and turned crispy but they were still green, and the plant wouldent grow, so I pulled it and the roots were kinda brown and shrivled and not white and healthy. Is this root rot and if so what caused this? Im growing in soil too

cron Reviewed by cron on 03-09-2007. root rot? ok my plants leaves started drooping then they started drying out and turned crispy but they were still green, and the plant wouldent grow, so I pulled it and the roots were kinda brown and shrivled and not white and healthy. Is this root rot and if so what caused this? Im growing in soil too Rating: 5

[dutch.lover]

pics would be nice. you have to smell the roots. if they smell gross, and not like fresh soil, they're rotten. i don't know if there is a remedy to root rot though, so we'll have to wait for someone else to answer.

good luck!

[stinkyattic]

In my experience, root rot IS curable but with difficulty.
I've had limited success with a drench of bacillus subtilis, serenade.
Also spraying the plant with wilt pruf since the roots water uptake function is really impeded and can't keep up with transpiration (as you will notice with leaves drying out).
Of course after my sweet tooth mother was showing the first signs of coming back to life, my bulldog got the munchies and ate her... so eveidence is inconclusive

Causes include overwatering in poorly drained soil... can be much worse in cold conditions and/or poor ventilation... an already-stressed plant with a weakened immune system is not going to fare well...

[cron]

sorry I cant get pictures cause im posting on my psp. It couldnt have been poor drainage because im using a 50/50 mix of soil and vermaculite,and the roots didnt have a smell cause it was only 2 weeks. Im just going to grow another plant and hope the same thing doesnt happen. Thanks for the responses

[stinkyattic]

I haven't been entirely happy with vermiculite as a drainage enhancer.
Perlite is a nicer medium.
Make sure you start with fresh soil and sterilized pots.