Sorry to announce that both plants had to be cut. They developed root rot. Don't know if it was caused by the root aphids or what, but I do know that at least the strong pheno was OK before I washed the roots on soap to get rid of root aphids. Probably the good bacteria died and I didn't apply Hydroguard during those days and perhaps that was enough for fungus to invade, or perhaps it was the stress/infection due to root aphids, but basically, one day I was sitting next to it because I have a dining table just there, and I was feeling uneasy all the time until that day I felt as if the plant basically told me it was suffering. So I decided to cut it and upon lifting the lid, the roots just broke on their own and separated, indicating the degree of rot. This also explains why I was finding pieces of root in the water.
This was my first DWC and I'm basically never gonna grow again with it. It is a pain and it feel unnatural.
@KennyRogers, I’m sorry that your hydroponic didn’t work out for you. I’m just confused as to why you would grow outdoors with hydroponics. The whole reason for hydroponics is controlled environment. You keep it out, you’re exposing every thing and I’m not even sure what you used on your net pot. It looks like peat moss or coco coir but I wouldn’t do that. Also neem oil helps before the aphids travel down to your roots. You got infested because they like moist environment and they had direct access to your stems. Your net pot looks moist as hell. That attracts bugs on top of dead plant matter from the bottom of the plants will attract it. It would’ve helped if you had a greenhouse or cover. Also hydroguard doesn’t help with physical infestation. It only helps with fungus symbiotic growth. If you do it again, next time, grow indoors and use grow stones like hydroton or actual grow stones