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Root Health

Wilting plants with a full reservoir

Leaves droop and the plant looks thirsty even though the reservoir is full and the pump is running.

Commonly affects: All hydroponic crops

What you'll see

  • Plant wilts during the brightest part of the day
  • Reservoir level looks fine
  • May recover at night, then wilt again

Likely causes

  • Root rot (see brown slimy roots) — check first
  • Pump failure or blocked drippers — water not reaching roots
  • EC too high — reverse osmosis effect pulls water out of roots
  • Reservoir too hot, too cold, or out of oxygen
  • Heat stress on leaves (>30 °C with no airflow)

How to fix it (step by step)

  1. 1Lift the plant and inspect roots — if brown / slimy, treat as root rot
  2. 2Check that the pump is running and water is reaching every plant
  3. 3Test EC — if above crop max, dilute the reservoir
  4. 4Get reservoir temperature into the 18–22 °C range
  5. 5Add a fan and shade cloth if leaf temperature is the issue

Stop it happening again

  • Daily visual check on roots and reservoir
  • Backup pump or battery for power cuts
  • Keep one spare bottle of pre-mixed nutrients on hand

Need a second opinion?

Share dated photos, root observations, water readings and your mixing record so our team can assess the problem. Visual symptoms alone do not confirm a diagnosis.

Confirm the cause before treating the crop

Collect observations that distinguish possible causes

Record the first appearance of symptoms, the affected plants and whether old or new tissue is involved. Inspect roots, delivery and visible pests. Compare a healthy plant nearby. Record pH, EC, temperature and recent changes. Several causes may act together; the symptom title is a starting point, not a confirmed diagnosis.

Verify calibration and the complete mixing record. Product links explain nutrient roles; they are not instructions to use one bottle alone. Record your correction and assess subsequent growth because damaged leaves and fruit may not recover.

Escalate safely

Rapid wilting, collapse or spreading root symptoms need prompt checks of flow, oxygen and hygiene. Protect unaffected plants where practical and seek qualified diagnosis. Treatments must be registered for their intended crop and use and applied according to label, including harvest intervals.

When asking for help, provide dated root and leaf photos, water readings and mixing records. Do not combine nutrient changes with disinfectants or pesticides without compatibility advice. An online guide cannot confirm a pathogen or prescribe a universal chemical treatment.

Further reading

These sources support general cultivation guidance, not verified Nana Organics product performance. Current NaO instructions take precedence over another brand’s feeding schedule.