Growing medical cannabis

Root management is a major key to healthy hydroponic plant growth. There is no golden rule for hydroponic root lengths, as the types of hydroponic growing systems and plants that grow in them are extremely diverse. For basic DWC hydroponics, an average length of 10-inch roots is considered healthy. In hydroponic systems with grow pipes, 4 inches to 6 inches is a good length for your plant roots. Keeping your plant roots in good shape involves trimming them from time to time, it only takes a few minutes even if you have several plants to handle.

Generally speaking, the hydroponic roots of your plants should have a creamy off-white color with new shoots ranging from crisper and cleaner white to practically invisible. If you’re using a deep water culture (DWC) system to grow your hydroponic plants, the roots will turn a golden or brownish color.

Hydroponic roots should be trimmed for your hydroponic growing system to continue functioning properly. If roots are left unchecked for too long, they can grow as much as three to four times longer than necessary. Hydroponic roots that aren’t trimmed often enough can grow wide and thick enough to completely block passages inside the hydroponic system in which they are growing.

• There is less chance of root rot and harmful bacteria infecting your root systems

• It keeps the plants actively growing and developing new roots

• The nutrient, air, and water uptake is increased

• It keeps the grow sites, grow pipes, and/or inside of the hydroponic growing system cleaner

• It prevents clogging and buildup of harmful mold and fungus

I begin trimming hydroponic plant roots once they are just a few inches out of the bottom of the net pot. In theory this will make the roots grow back thicker, longer, and healthier as well as stimulating the growth and vigorous development of the top side. Don’t be afraid to really get in there and trim your hydroponic plant’s root system as much as necessary, the roots grow back incredibly quickly. Depending on how fast the roots are growing I may trim them twice a week but at least once every week. I clean up any straggly bits hanging out and keep it smooth shaped. I keep the roots at least an inch away from the sides and 2 – 4 inches from the bottom.