Growing cannabis requires attention to detail and a deep understanding of the factors that impact plant health. Quite a few insects love the plant as much as you do and feed on them. However, they damage the plant so much that it reduces the yields and even kills the plants many times.
Amidst the many types of insects that can cause damage to cannabis, root aphids are something you need to be wary of. These tiny suckers are very small, but they feed on the sap and damage the plant to a large extent.
Root aphids are invaders that specifically target the roots of many plants, including cannabis. Unlike other aphids that operate above the ground and are easy to detect, these tiny pests often go undetected and cause damage that isn’t visible immediately.
Root aphids particularly like cannabis plants, so they love damaging them. If you’ve found these pests in your plant and are looking for options to get rid of them, you’re at the right place. Let’s get into the specifics of how root aphids can destroy your plants. Also, let's find out how to eliminate root aphids while cultivating cannabis.
Root aphids are pests that attack the roots of plants. They suck the moisture from roots and compromise root integrity that eventually sets off a chain reaction of effects, ultimately resulting in major damage and death. Remember, healthy roots equate to healthy plants, so you must take care of these pests that damage the very structure of your plants.
Root aphids damage the plants in many ways. Not only do they devastate the roots, but they also disrupt nutrient absorption and impede water transport within the plant, thereby weakening its ability to withstand environmental stressors.
Finally, you have a plant that’s weakened continuously and vulnerable to many problems. Needless to say, the plant will attract diseases, and nutrient deficiencies and suffer a drastic decrease in yield.
If you want to deal with these pests effectively, you first need to understand how they operate. Let’s take a look at their life cycle.
The life cycle of root aphids is similar to aphids. They reproduce both sexually and asexually, allowing for massive population growth. If the conditions are favorable, a single aphid can develop a colony in a short amount of time. It is crucial to have an understanding of their life cycle to implement control measures during their vulnerable stages.
Root aphids are very meticulous with how they establish colonies. Once they damage one plant, they quickly migrate to other plants to establish new colonies. While you may see wings in some root aphids, others may not display them at all.
The eggs will be present in the soil during the winter but adhere to stems and leaves when it gets warmer. Once they hatch, they descend to the ground and tunnel into the roots, creating scars on plant tissues and rendering them vulnerable to other diseases.
As their populations increase, these little critters will even come up to the stems to look for food. However, when there are too many of them, some aphids will develop wings and fly away in search of other host plants. The males and females mate again and the cycle begins again. Ants also help these root aphids by carrying them from one plant to another.
Root aphids use various strategies to reproduce effectively. While asexual reproduction allows for massive population growth, sexual reproduction introduces diversity. This is the very reason why we find it difficult to control their populations too.
Like aphids, root aphids also prefer certain plants. They particularly love cannabis roots. Although no particular species are dedicated only to attacking cannabis plants, certain root aphids show a special preference. These species, such as Pemphigus spp., are popular for infesting the roots of many plants, including cannabis. Pemphigus betae especially loves cannabis and munches on the roots often.
However, you should be wary of Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominalis in particular as they attack cannabis roots with a vengeance. If you’ve grown any kind of plants, you’ve most probably come across these types of root aphids. They extract nutrients from the root sap that’s rich in sugar and compromise the integrity of the roots. As a result, normal physiological functions are disrupted. In addition, the presence of root aphids can impact the dynamics of soil ecosystems. As they feed on the sap, they produce honeydew, which attracts other insects like ants that protect the aphids as they love the honeydew.
Aphids are pretty easy to identify as they are found in colonies on the leaves of plants; however, root aphids are slightly different. Thanks to their small size and the added camouflage from the roots and soil, it becomes extremely challenging to identify them.
However, one simple way to identify them is to look for waxy white secretions near the base of the plants. It resembles honeydew but is somewhat chalkier. Some people also confuse these pests for mealybugs, but unlike mealybugs which are oval in shape, root aphids look more like a pear. Although they look similar to aphids, they are slightly darker with shorter legs. Plus, they have antennae that make it easier to distinguish them.
Note that you cannot identify root aphids just by their color. This is because they come in various colors including pink, white, and brown. One can also mistake them for fungus gnats when they develop wings, but you don't have to get confused here because root aphids have cornicles or appendages in their abdomen, making them easy to distinguish. Of course, this is easier said than done because it’s possible only through a microscope, but you can remember other identifiers to distinguish them.
One trait of root aphids is that they are masters at hiding themselves, but you can detect them if you are observant. Just take a good look at the roots and you may be able to find them. Since it’s easy to misconstrue their damage as nutrient deficiencies, it’s best to check the roots before checking for nutrient deficiencies if you find your plant suffering.
Now, since root aphids thrive in the soil, you’re probably thinking they won’t be present in water. You’re safe if you have a hydroponic system, right? Wrong! These tiny creatures have the ability to overtake many mediums including water! In addition, they can be present in both outdoor and indoor settings. Once they overtake the soil or water, however, it becomes very difficult to eradicate them, so preventing them is your best defense.
You must detect a root aphid infestation early if you want to save your plants. Although these tiny insects operate beneath the soil surface, certain signs and symptoms become apparent above ground and will provide cues. Your best chance is to recognize these indicators so you can prevent a full-blown infestation.
One of the first signs of a root aphid infestation is that your cannabis plants start wilting even when they're adequately watered. This is because the plants find it hard to absorb water and nutrients, thanks to a compromised root system. In addition, you’ll notice that the plants are stunted as their roots have weakened. When the roots become weak, you can expect an overall limitation in the health and size of the plants. Ultimately, the plants will find it challenging to produce buds and there could be a drastic reduction in yields.
When aphids feed on the sap, the plants experience a lack of essential nutrients, including nitrogen. Again, this is because the roots find it hard to absorb the nutrients and transport them to various parts of the plant. At this point, the leaves will also start yellowing due to a deficiency of nutrients like nitrogen.
However, note that you may not see a uniform discoloration; instead, there could be patches of red, yellow, and purple that make it all the more confusing. Apart from nitrogen, the plant will not be able to absorb elements like potassium and phosphorus. Many growers often add more nutrients as it seems like an obvious deficiency; however, the plant will not recover as the root cause lies in the roots.
Remember, if the plants can’t absorb nutrients, it means that they can’t absorb water as well. Therefore, they may exhibit signs of severe dehydration that can also cause wilting.
The leaves begin to curl and also look distorted when the aphids start feeding on the sap. Typically, this distortion occurs due to damage the plant tissues endure. Like other aphids, root aphids also cause changes in growth patterns due to their secretions. This also creates an environment that protects them from predators and pesticide treatments.
As you already know, root aphids secrete honeydew that attracts ants. However, another problem that comes along with it is that it provides a surface for mold to grow on. If you notice residues in the surrounding soil and see the development of a sooty mold on plant surfaces, it's a sign that there’s an active aphid infestation.
Root aphids, as their very name suggests, target roots. You can check their presence by digging up the root ball and inspecting the roots. Look for damaged or poorly developed roots. Healthy roots typically look white and firm. On the other hand, infested ones may be brown, soft, and easily susceptible to damage. You may find these pests lurking around the roots too. If you find waxy secretions, you can bet that there’s a root aphid infestation.
Aphid infestations weaken the plant’s overall resilience, so they become vulnerable to other stressors such as drought, diseases, or extreme temperatures. Even if you provide the right environmental conditions, the plants may still decline when they are infested by root aphids.
Weak plants easily fall prey to various diseases and pests as their immune systems are weak. This is why most pests find it easy to take over and infest the plant completely. These diseases and pests further amplify the plant’s stress and make it difficult for it to carry out essential processes.
Cannabis plants can experience root aphid infestations due to a multitude of factors and most of them are related to environmental conditions and cultivation practices. Once you recognize them, it becomes easier to implement measures that prevent and eliminate these aphids. Let’s take a look at these factors in detail:
If the soil you’re using doesn’t drain well, is too compacted, or doesn’t contain organic matter, it creates an environment that is favorable for many pest infestations, including root aphids. This is because the soil may retain too much moisture which is simply perfect for these pests.
Excessive watering leads to waterlogged soils that reduce the levels of oxygen in the roots. Moreover, root aphids love anaerobic conditions and infest plants that are particularly weak, so overwatering can exacerbate the problem quickly.
Elevated humidity levels in the growing environment can promote reproduction and encourage the survival of root aphids. If you grow cannabis plants in humid conditions, it will help many pests thrive, and root aphids are no exception.
Additionally, inadequate air circulation around the plants can also increase the levels of humidity, which further helps the populations of root aphids to flourish. Keep in mind that overcrowding the plants can also lead to a similar situation where there’s a dearth of ventilation. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure proper air ventilation and also maintain appropriate levels of humidity according to the stages of plant growth to prevent pests.
We already mentioned that the presence of root aphids can deter plants from absorbing nutrients efficiently. However, it’s also true that an imbalance in nutrients can invite pests too. This is because pests are attracted to plants with weak immune systems as it’s easy to overtake them. Nutrient deficiencies typically occur when there’s a pH imbalance, so keep an eye on the pH and adjust it whenever necessary to keep the pests at bay.
Most people purchase soil from their local nurseries. Although you can’t prevent this, it’s possible that the eggs of the root aphids are present in the soil already when you purchase them. This usually occurs when the compost is prepared improperly or if they have used soil collected from diseased plants.
To prevent his problem, purchase your soil from a trusted source so you know what you’re purchasing. It’s very disheartening to pay for what you think is high-quality soil only for it to negatively affect your plants. You could even make your own compost at home. Just make sure that you follow some basic rules to create it.
Extreme temperatures, whether high or low can stress your cannabis plants and make them vulnerable to pest infestations, including root aphids. Aphids tend to thrive in moderate temperatures, which is what your cannabis plants love as well, but extreme temperatures can put extra stress on the plants and prevent them from defending themselves. Thus, maintain appropriate temperatures according to the stage of growth to keep the plants healthy.
You must regularly monitor your crops to identify signs of pests including root aphids as early detection allows you to intervene faster and save your plants. Neglecting routine checks may result in infestations going unnoticed and allowing the pests to establish themselves. Then, it becomes almost impossible to manage the infestation once it goes out of hand.
It’s always best to try and prevent the pests from infecting your plants rather than trying to find a cure for it. By implementing a few prevention strategies, you can discourage root aphids and minimize the risk of a full-blown infestation.
You already know that root aphids love waterlogged soils where the drainage is poor. Therefore, improve the condition of your soil and increase the aeration so the water drains properly. Also, incorporate some organic matter like compost and worm castings to loosen up the soil. This will also provide nutrition to your plants and improve the structure of your plants, making it a win-win situation.
Follow a controlled watering regimen to avoid overwatering. Make sure to let the soil dry out between watering sessions. One way to find out whether the plants need more water is to pick up the container and check their weight. If it’s too light, they need more water. If not, they are okay and you don’t have to water more. You can also insert your finger into the soil to check whether it’s dry. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to overwatering because it causes lots of problems later.
Ensure there’s proper air circulation between your cannabis plants. Proper spacing helps reduce humidity levels and creates an environment that's less favorable for root aphid infestations. Also, avoid overcrowding the plants and place them at least 1 foot apart. This will give you some space to perform maintenance tasks and prevent the pests from jumping from one plant to another.
Before introducing plants to your cultivation area, carefully inspect them for any signs of aphids or other pests. It's a good idea to quarantine new plants at least for a short while to monitor their condition before incorporating them with your other healthy plants. In addition, check the health of your soil, including the pH levels. A balanced soil ecosystem always helps to grow healthy plants and deter pest infestations.
Introduce microorganisms into your soil to promote a healthy microbiome. You could also include mycorrhizal fungi and predatory nematodes that create an effective ecosystem to naturally suppress pest populations like root aphids.
Although this isn’t possible and won’t make sense if you’re growing cannabis plants indoors, you can try this outdoors if your plants are being repeatedly attacked by pests like root aphids. Crop rotation disrupts the life cycle of root aphids and reduces their impact on your plants.
Many breeders work with plants to create strains that are resistant to mold and other problems. Similarly, they also offer strains that are resistant to pests by exhibiting a natural resistance or tolerance to them, including root aphids.
Plan ahead and include combinations of preventive measures from biological controls to using insecticides. You should also monitor the plants regularly to ensure the treatment has been successful.
Clean your growing equipment including trays, containers, and tools. Sanitize them frequently between uses to prevent the eggs or larvae of pests from transferring from sick plants to healthy ones.
You must act quickly once you detect a root aphid infestation in your cannabis plants. The faster you identify and act upon it, the better the chances. As root aphids attack the roots, delayed action will result in lower yields and even death of the plants.
The good news is that there are various ways, ranging from organic and cultural methods to chemical interventions to treat the plants. Your choice will depend on various factors including the severity of the infestation and personal preferences. Here are some different treatment options you can consider for managing root aphids in cannabis:
Introduce predators like predatory beetles, parasitic wasps, or predatory mites into your growing environment. These beneficial insects feed on root aphids and offer an eco-friendly solution. However, this option works slowly and you may not be able to save your plants on time, especially if the infestation is too severe.
Nematodes, particularly species like Steinernema feltiae have proven effective against root aphids. These tiny worms first paralyze the pests and then destroy them. Some growers have witnessed positive results with releasing nematodes in the soil, so you can try them.
Moreover, nematodes pose no threat to the living organisms in the soil, like earthworms, for instance. Once you identify the presence of root aphids near the roots, administer a treatment of nematodes to damp soil.
Beauveria bassiana is a fungus that occurs naturally in soil. It has the potential to destroy many pests without harming the plants. In short, it acts as an agent that targets pests specifically without any major impact on the soil and other organisms. Thanks to its versatility in targeting many pests including aphids and root aphids, you can use it safely to get rid of pesky intruders.
BB is nontoxic to humans, pets, and other organisms making it a safe choice for cannabis cultivation. It’s also compatible with other predatory insects like predatory beetles and wasps. The best part is that it’s eco-friendly, unlike other synthetic pesticides.
BB uses a multi-faceted approach against most pests. First, it infects the aphids upon contact by attaching itself to their layer or cuticle. Then, it enters the body of the aphids, and reproduces inside, eventually killing them. Pretty brutal, huh?
One way to use BB is to target the root zone as a soil drench as root aphids typically reside in the soil. This fungus establishes itself in the soil and actively seeks out and infects root aphids upon contact. You could also use it as a foliar spray on the leaves to kill the aphids above ground and prevent them from migrating back into the soil.
To increase the effectiveness, try and apply BB during the early stages of infestation. This will prevent rapid multiplication and your plants will be spared from a lot of damage.
Pyrethin is obtained from chrysanthemum flowers and works against many pests. This natural insecticide is super powerful, but it can also harm beneficial insects like ladybugs and honeybees, so don’t use too much and apply only when it’s absolutely necessary.
You can use chemical insecticides such as imidacloprid or thiamethoxam as a foliar spray or soil drench. Once the plants absorb them, the aphids ingest them while feeding and perish eventually.
Derived from the neem tree, neem oil is pretty popular among gardeners for its ability to fend pests away. It can disrupt the life cycle of root aphids and also act as a deterrent. However, make sure you dilute the oil according to the instructions from the manufacturer as concentrated neem oil can kill your plants. You can also mix neem oil with insecticidal soaps and make a spray to apply on the leaves and on the soil as a soil drench.
There are many plants you can use to make your own concoctions to prevent pests. However, you should be cautious not to burn your plants. Examples include citrus, garlic, and cinnamon as pests are deterred by them. However, if the infestation is severe, it’s best to go for stronger insecticides as the plants need immediate help.
Diatomaceous earth is made up of the fossilized remains of diatoms. It is abrasive in nature. No, it won’t harm humans but can pierce the pests’ exoskeleton. You can dust the soil with diatomaceous earth and they will perish once they crawl on them.
Regardless of the approach you choose, make sure to consider the severity of the infestation and the stage of growth your plant is in. For instance, it’s easier to control pests with stronger pesticides or insecticides when your cannabis plants are still in their vegetative stage; however, it becomes very challenging to do the same when they are in their flowering stage. Also, never spray the buds with anything, except water. Since you’ll be smoking these buds, you don’t want to do anything that may cause harm or change the taste later.
There are various pests that can create problems when you grow cannabis indoors or outdoors and root aphids are one of them. Although their cousins, the regular aphids, thrive on stems on leaves or the upper parts of the plants, root aphids love the roots.
The fate of a plant depends on its root health, and since these aphids attack the roots, they can quickly damage the plant, eventually reducing yields and killing the plant. If you don’t take care of these pesky critters on time, they can reduce the quality of your harvest. The plants will show stunted growth, and the leaves may appear discolored.
You may confuse these issues with nutrient deficiencies. Thus, if you suspect a nutrient deficiency with the leaves changing colors, inspect the roots first to identify any signs of aphid infestation. You may or may not see some of them crawling near the root ball, but one sure thing to identify a root aphid infestation is the presence of white waxy secretions at the base of the plant. These secretions attract other insects like ants that fight against other beneficial insects to protect the aphids. While this is an amazing display of barter in Nature, it doesn’t bode well for your cannabis plants. Therefore, take care of those pests before they finish off your plant.
There are various ways to treat root aphid infestations and you choose from chemical insecticides to homemade DIY neem oil solutions. You can also use fungi like Beauveria Bassiana to kill the pests. No matter what you choose, try and avoid the buds while spraying anything. Also, it’s easier to control pest issues in the vegetative stage compared to the flowering stage.
When it comes to root aphids, prevention is better than cure, so ensure you protect your plants by keeping your grow room clean and maintaining proper levels of humidity. Stay tuned to learn more about other pests that can attack your cannabis plants.
