Growers struggling with some sort of root rot problem may wonder how to best use Hygrozyme. We've heard from experienced hydroponic growers who have had many, many crops without any problems and are baffled by a new variable of root rot.

The problem is typically characterized by the roots doing well until the second week of bloom, and then around that time they turn brown and start to disintegrate. The roots smell musty and rotten, like a dirty aquarium. A few of the less hardy plants wilt. Others begin yellowing. While the harvest is not entirely ruined, it is not close to expectations for a successful crop.

Here are some suggestions for incorporating Sipco's OMRI-rated plant enzyme breakthrough, Hygrozyme into care of your plants:

• Carefully consider the temperature of your hydroponic system. Hobby growers often produce various plants without using a chiller, but depending on what you are growing consider that professional growers often use a water chiller.
• Aim to achieve the ideal reservoir temperature of about 68 degrees. Plants can handle even cooler temps that that, but they are not usually able to take up as much nutrient if the temperatures drop lower than 68 degrees. Conversely, warmer temperatures encourage pathogens. Generally any reservoir above 72 degrees is just asking for problems.
• Control fungus gnats. Even though the damage fungus gnats can do seems microscopic and not very important, their tiny size is misleading. Fungus gnat larvae do actually damage root zones, providing wounds in the roots through which pathogens are able to enter the vascular systems of the plants. Gnatrol has been reportedly successful in dealing with fungus gnats.
• Make sure roots have plenty of airation.
• Silica is a good additive to the nutrient routine as it strengthens cell walls.
• Use Hygrozyme throughout the cycle. It is ideally used as a preventative step to maintain a sterile growth medium, but has arrested the onset of many diseases if caught early and then continually added until harvest. If it is too late, start over but ensure you start with a sterile hydroponic system, gardening tools, and healthy, disease-free new plants.