Growing cannabis hydroponically is awesome and comes with plenty of perks. Your plants experience faster growth and you get greater control over nutrients. But even with the benefits, hydroponics isn’t immune to its own set of challenges. Grow enough plants and you’ll have a list of common issues you’ll come across.
Whether you’re dealing with wilting seedlings, nutrient imbalances, or pest invasions, each hydroponic issue requires a different approach to keep your plants happy and thriving. In this article, we’ll go over some common hydroponic cannabis growing problems, and most importantly, how to troubleshoot them so your plants stay healthy.
Starting cannabis seedlings in a hydroponic setup can feel like a balancing act. Your young plants are especially sensitive and, if conditions aren’t just right, they’ll be quick to let you know.
Here’s how to handle some of the most common seedling problems you might encounter and keep your little cannabis seedlings.
A wilting seedling can seem like it’s giving up on life, and there are a few reasons this might happen. It may be due to not enough water, too much heat, or something else. When seedlings don’t have the right balance, they’ll lose their stiffness, and their leaves may start to look parched.
You need to make sure your roots have a chance to dry out a bit between waterings — hydroponic systems work best with balance. And just in case your water pump decides to go on strike, keep a backup pump ready.
Dead roots in seedlings are usually a signal that something’s off below the surface. The water might be too warm, the EC (electrical conductivity) levels could be out of whack, or overwatering in a dense substrate could be the culprit.
What can you do?
If you find seedlings with dead roots, remove them from the system right away to prevent the problem from spreading. Then, adjust your water temperature and monitor EC levels closely.
You should also maintain your setup. Regularly cleaning and sanitizing your setup is key to keeping pathogens at bay, and ensuring a healthy environment for your young seedlings.
Getting the pH right in a hydroponic system is like finding the sweet spot for your plants to thrive. For cannabis, that optimal range is usually between 5.5 and 6.5, and when the pH strays outside these numbers, your plant can struggle to absorb nutrients properly.
The result? Nutrient deficiencies, toxicities, and stunted growth. So, here are some tips that will help you keep the pH in check for your cannabis plant.
Make it a habit to check your nutrient solution’s pH with a pH meter or test kit. A daily check is ideal but aim for at least every few days to catch any shifts before they become a problem.
If the pH creeps out of the target range, you’ll need to bring it back. You can use a pH up or down solution to nudge it right where you need it. Usually, these solutions are stronger than household acids or bases, so applying a small amount will make a noticeable change.
However, be careful with them. Even a little extra pH up or down solution will change the pH significantly (especially in smaller systems). Add a few drops at a time, check the pH, and repeat if needed. This is even more important if you're working only on a small system.
To prevent this problem, use droppers or syringes. If you pour the solution into the water, you won't be able to control the fluctuation and may have to start all over again. So, add one or two drops, stir, and recheck the pH until it is within the desired range.
Also, don't chase the pH because if you over-correct it, it will swing back and forth which is harmful to your plants. Small changes help you hit the right spot without big ups and downs. If you find it very difficult to adjust the pH when working with small reservoirs or if you want to change the pH slightly, you can just dilute it first and then use it. This isn't necessary in larger containers as you won't encounter huge changes.
Also, once you add the pH adjuster, let it circulate through the reservoir for a few minutes so it can stabilize to prevent inaccurate readings. Also, there’s no need to adjust it instantly; instead, give it some time and the pH will stabilize gradually.
If you're working on larger systems, you can use a pump to speed up the circulation. In addition, it will also improve the accuracy of the pH measurement as it will be distributed instantly throughout the reservoir.
Finally, remember to stay away from household products to reduce or increase the pH. Many people suggest using lemon juice or baking soda but they won't work as much as commercial pH adjusters due to their instability and impurities. For best results, use pH solutions that are meant for hydroponics.
You must keep things steady by adjusting the pH regularly and keeping an eye on any fluctuations. Stable pH levels help your plants stay happy and stress-free, giving them the best chance to grow strong.
With a balanced pH, you’re setting up your cannabis plants for peak nutrient uptake and growth.
Air pumps are super important in hydroponic systems as they oxygenate the root zone. If they start malfunctioning, it may lead to a host of problems, including nutrient deficiency and root suffocation.
Hydroponic systems need air pumps that supply oxygen to the roots as they are submerged in water. However, if the roots don’t get adequate oxygen they can start suffocating. Thus, you need to have an air pump you can depend on to keep the plants healthy and happy.
If you don’t take action quickly, it can even kill the plants.
If the air pump fails, the oxygen levels drop and stress the plants. A common symptom of lack of oxygen is wilting or drooping leaves, and the plants appear very limp. You may also notice root rot where the roots turn brown and develop slime when they don’t have oxygen.
Finally, plants that don’t get enough oxygen can behave as if they don’t have enough nutrients. For example, they may get yellow leaves and stunted growth caused by oxygen deprivation.
If you notice any of the above, do the following to troubleshoot the air pump problem:
1. Check the Power
2. Check for clogs
3. Check for Strange Sounds or Vibrations
You can prevent pump failures with routine maintenance and proper monitoring. Here are a few things you can do:
If you follow these steps this will keep the air pump of your hydroponic cannabis system in good shape which will in turn ensure that your plants get the oxygen.
The water pump, an essential component of a hydroponic system, is responsible for regulating the flow of nutrient solution to the plants. If it breaks down, the nutrients can’t reach the plants and the plants will experience nutrient deficiencies pretty rapidly. At this stage, the plants can begin to suffer stress or even get damaged.
And, just like a failing air pump can show symptoms on the plants, you should watch out for symptoms like stunted growth as they aren’t getting enough nutrients. You may also notice the plant yellowing as it can no longer transport nutrients.
If the water starts to stagnate, it can reduce the oxygen levels that encourage root pathogens and also increase the chances of root rot.
If you detect any of the symptoms mentioned above, you may need to check the water pump.
Just like the air pump, having an extra water pump as a backup can stop other damages from happening. A quick change can help your system continue working properly, which in turn helps save plants.
Clean and check the pump and tubing of your system regularly to avoid blockage and mineral deposits.
When installing your pump, you should avoid areas that are too humid or dusty. A humid area will wear, or leave dust in sensitive parts.
Nutrient deficiencies can sometimes be a headache in hydroponic setups, as symptoms might not always tell the whole story. So, before jumping to conclusions, you should check your water temperature, nutrient solution pH, and the solution’s electrical conductivity (EC).
If those are in the ideal range, then it's time to take a closer look at the nutrient composition to make sure your plants are getting what they need.
The unfortunate part is that your plant needs a lot of nutrients and it’s not always easy to figure out exactly which nutrient (or lack of it) is the culprit. So, you need to take the symptoms into account and figure out which nutrient deficiency your plant may be facing.
We’ve written many articles on specific nutrient deficiencies that you can refer to. Remember to cross-check the symptoms and use the recommended remedies to fix that particular nutrient deficiency in your cannabis plant.
Fortunately, hydroponics simplifies many aspects of cannabis cultivation, but each solution depends on how well you handle these unique challenges. No matter how intimidating a problem might seem, there’s usually a practical fix.
Root rot is a grower’s nightmare — it sneaks into hydroponic systems via pathogens that compromise your plant health from the ground up, often spreading quickly. It’s always better to know what causes root rot, which is the first line of defense.
Here are some of the common causes of root rot in cannabis plants:
If your cannabis plant is facing root rot, you can try washing the roots to remove the rot. However, in some cases, flushing the roots may not work. Instead, you need to prevent it in the first place, and here’s how you can do that:
Regular checks and smart prevention will keep your cannabis plant happy and thriving, letting you stay ahead of root rot before it sets in.
Even in hydroponics, pesky invaders can still make themselves at home. Since these pests are just as happy living without soil, it’s essential to keep an eye out for any signs of infestation and nip them in the bud — pun intended! Let’s look at how you can deal with them.
First, all-natural insecticides are a great first line of defense. Options like neem oil, garlic oil, and vinegar are safe and effective for deterring most pests. Organic insecticidal soaps are also highly effective at keeping pests under control without harming your plants.
You can also use beneficial bugs, which can be your garden's best friends. Introducing critters like ladybugs or predatory mites will help keep pest populations in check, making them the pest control you didn’t know you needed.
Finally, create an unwelcoming environment for the pests. Avoid conditions that pests love, like slime, algae, and damp areas. Proper airflow, clean water, and a dry environment help keep pests and pathogens from making a home in your garden.
With a little diligence, you can maintain a pest-free hydroponic setup that lets your cannabis plants grow strong and stay healthy.
With hydroponics, where water flows are essential, system clogging is a frequent issue. This is why you should know your system inside out and regularly inspect for any signs of breaks or leaks. This can save you from bigger headaches down the line.
Apart from the blockages in the air and water pumps, you'll also have to be careful about the blockages in drip systems as they are prone to them. Even ebb and flow systems suffer the same fate. As time goes on, these systems can become obstructed by salt formation, nutrient sediment, root bits, or bio-film — a slimy bacterial formation. That's why it's important to take care of these blockages to ensure nutrients are delivered consistently to the plant.
Let's assume you've taken care of the pH, and water quality, haven't over or under-watered, and are supplying nutrients properly. But, what do you do if your plant still shows signs of nutrient deficiency and refuses to grow properly?
Well, this could be a symptom of a blockage as the nutrients may be getting distributed unevenly or the plants may not be getting anything at all. You may also notice a buildup of salts or residue that appears as white and crusty spots on the emitters, dripline, or tubing which is a sign of a blockage.
If the water flow appears slow in specific lines or emitters, there is likely a partial blockage.
1. Flush the system
2. Check Drip Lines and Emitters
3. Clean the system thoroughly
To confirm the smooth flow of water through all lines, test the system flow after reassembly.
Good airflow is essential to maintaining a balanced environment for your cannabis plants. Fresh air supports photosynthesis, respiration, and temperature regulation in your garden. Without it, your plant won’t thrive much.
What can you do if the air is not circulating well in your hydroponic setup? Add a few fans — this will make a big difference in the air movement and help keep mold at bay. You can also add computer fans or oscillating fans to keep the air circulating in your grow room.
When growing cannabis hydroponically, using high-quality water is essential. This is because the plant relies on the nutrient solution for growing well. Poor water quality can kill plants or restrict their growth and lead to nutrient deficiency, blockage, and other health concerns. Therefore, keeping water clean and balanced is essential for the healthy growth of plants.
Clean water is crucial, especially when you're growing cannabis hydroponically.
The basic principle of any hydroponic system is water quality. Hydroponic plants are very sensitive to the quality of the water as they take everything directly from the solution. The plants’ ability to absorb nutrients is better when water quality is improved. Too many contaminants or imbalances can cause nutrient lockout or unavailability of nutrients.
If a hydroponic system does not receive enough nutrients, problems may arise because of the blockage of algae or particles in the water forming tubing, emitters, and filters.
Clean water will also prevent pathogens, bacteria, and algae from developing. So, basically, the source of water you use will determine whether it contains contaminants or not.
Many people use tap water, but it typically contains chlorine and chloramine that can affect hydroponic cannabis plants. To prevent this, let the water sit in a bucket for a day (24 hours) to let chlorine dissipate.
For your peace of mind, you can use filtered water if you’re not happy with the water you’re using. Some growers also use RO water.
Algae and biofilm are very common in hydroponic systems but you can manage them easily.
Algae is a photosynthetic organism that requires light and nutrients to grow, so nutrient reservoirs and nutrient tubing that are exposed to light can become breeding grounds for algae.
On the other hand, biofilm is a matrix of bacteria that coats surfaces in a slimy coating. In addition, algae and other organisms can also reside within biofilm. They can cause many problems for the health of plants and the system.
To control algae, it is important to identify them early. They typically appear as green or brown slimy patches along surfaces exposed to light. You can see them on the inner walls of reservoirs or tubing. Brown algae isn't very common but it can appear in systems with unfiltered tap water.
Biofilms are often not visible to the naked eye. Instead, they appear clear and slimy or cloudy. You will usually notice it when you touch it as it's slick. The only problem is that it starts blocking water from flowing through your tubing or emitter devices.
Algae can be harmful to plants both directly and indirectly. They fight for nutrients, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and other macronutrients which hinder the growth of the plant. When they grow without interference, they compete with plants for these and cause deficiencies.
In addition, algae and biofilm consume the dissolved oxygen present in the water, meant for the roots. As the levels reduce, the roots can get stressed.
Algae and biofilm also create favorable conditions for pathogens, particularly Pythium (root rot), Fusarium, and other fungal pathogens. The organic matter that accumulates allows these pathogens to thrive.
Finally, the algae feed on carbon dioxide during the day and release it back at night causing fluctuations in the pH level. The problem varies as per weather, and with time, there will be too many complications in pH.
Regular upkeep is vital for hydro systems to function smoothly and for all the equipment to work optimally. Taking proper precautions can help your equipment live longer and will also prevent any unexpected breakdowns that can hamper plant growth. Here's how you can ensure your systems last for a long time:
Regular inspections prevent minor issues like cracks, leaks, or blockages from becoming bigger problems. Keep an eye out for noises, vibrations, and visible signs of problems with pumps and hoses. If hoses and pumps show cracks or brittleness, replace them.
Air stones, filters, and tubing wear out and need to be replaced quite often. Replace the air stones every 2-3 months as they become too clogged with mineral deposits and will not oxygenate the nutrient solution as needed.
Clean or replace the filters and tubing every few months as they may trap particles and have sediment build up. Using fresh tubing reduces the chance of leaks from brittle tubing.
Over time, the emitter will clog, limiting how much water can flow out. Change these parts after a few months for the best performance.
While growing cannabis hydroponically comes with its own set of challenges, you must take a proactive approach to troubleshoot and fix the issues. This can make all the difference.
You must start by monitoring for early signs, adjusting setups when needed, and maintaining a clean environment. Only then can you tackle each issue effectively. With regular checks and care, you’ll have a flourishing, high-yield garden that benefits from hydroponics’ advantages while avoiding most problems.