Surface Roots Exposed

[stinker]

Any idea what causes surface roots to want to come up out of the soil and harden off like this? This has happened before, but to a much lesser extent. This plant seems to send roots up as well as down and out.

When I look up the symptoms, it mostly suggests being root bound. That has never been the case with this plant.
Thanks

 

[jaybirdz]

It could be that container is too small or shallow, the soil is hard and compacted under and around plant, the plant is root bound.

Another thought I had because you mentioned this has happened before, did your previous plant live on your patio also with a dolly to move it around?
Its possible that heat radiated upwards from the concrete is creating a temp differential within the container, hotter in the bottom, cooler towards the top. A plant will grow roots where the moisture is AND where the soil temp is in their comfort zome.

If that's the case you could experiment with a dolly that is wider on the sides and insulated from heat radiated upwards.

How do you water this plant?

It does look happy and healthy otherwise.

 

[stinker]

Thanks jaybirdz The plant was just recently uppotted into the 20 gal from a 5 and went from a 2 to a 5 before that, the soil should of been loose. There were a few green roots before the last transplant, after they just grew and greened up fast. Previously I would get a few green top roots, never a cluster like this. I topwater slowly, but let the water puddle on top.

 

[Joe Brewster]

Cannabis plants are survivor's, They make roots like that because they drink up the most moisture in the morning, when the dew is at the surface of the dirt

Its possible that heat radiated upwards from the concrete is creating a temp differential within the container, hotter in the bottom, cooler towards the top. A plant will grow roots where the moisture is AND where the soil temp is in their comfort zome.

jaybirdz may be right maybe, the heat is pushing your moisture to the top of the pot

 

[jaybirdz]

Hi stinker,

I would call those roots "aerial roots", not necessarily a bad thing but there are reasons why a plant creates those type of roots.

Maybe familiarize yourself with aerial roots in plants, lots of theories as to why they are developed, this may lead you to why they were developed in your specific growing environment.

Also because they are green they have chlorophyll in them and can photosynthesize. Pretty cool. If they are being used to photosynthesize then maybe the plant feels a need to supplement the leaf photosynthesis?

 

[stinker]

Hi stinker,

I would call those roots "aerial roots", not necessarily a bad thing but there are reasons why a plant creates those type of roots.

Maybe familiarize yourself with aerial roots in plants, lots of theories as to why they are developed, this may lead you to why they were developed in your specific growing environment.

Also because they are green they have chlorophyll in them and can photosynthesize. Pretty cool. If they are being used to photosynthesize then maybe the plant feels a need to supplement the leaf photosynthesis?

Thank you jaybirdz for the line on the areal roots, this plant was odd from the beginning in that its leaves were variegated. It was only after 5/6 weeks that the new growth was less and less variegated, until it appears to have stopped. Maybe this caused a need for more photosynthesis and that is why its growing these areal type roots? It’s an interesting theory. I’ll see if I can learn more. Here are a few pics from when it was fully variegated. It will be interesting if it comes back in flower.

 

[jaybirdz]

Thanks for sharing those earlier pics. I'm curious going forward how that plant flowers and smokes.

 

[BlackPeter]

I don't know but it looks like you didn't plant it deep enough when you potted ...of course I could be very wrong lol anyway nice plant

 

[stinker]

Thanks for sharing those earlier pics. I'm curious going forward how that plant flowers and smokes.

Its always been an interesting plant. I have a journal for this plant if interested . If the variegation is there in flower is should look cool. In The Greenhouse

 

[Morda Grown]

I have seen this before but, not to that extent. I think it looks awesome. Just a thought... Wonder if it has to do with the altitude you at.

 

[stinker]

I have seen this before but, not to that extent. I think it looks awesome. Just a thought... Wonder if it has to do with the altitude you at.

I'm not that high. 750 meters / 2400'

 

[Braddah Waiheesohai]

Just had a plant with LOTs of those, I think in my case it was due to the small 3gallon pot size.

 

[stinker]

Just had a plant with LOTs of those, I think in my case it was due to the small 3gallon pot size.

Nice looking plant. Top heavy.

 

[Koolbudz]

Any idea what causes surface roots to want to come up out of the soil and harden off like this? This has happened before, but to a much lesser extent. This plant seems to send roots up as well as down and out.

When I look up the symptoms, it mostly suggests being root bound. That has never been the case with this plant.
Thanks

I doubt that plant has outgrown that pot all ready but I could be wrong.

I suspect it was root bound in a smaller pot, you transplanted and the plant roots got freedom and have bulked up.

I personally would put soil over the roots to keep from drying or sunburn.

 

[Nunyabiz]

Thats actually a good thing.
Fabric pots create a massive root system as they air prune it creates a mat of roots like a peat bog.
Best thing you could do would be to add a 1" layer of nice aged compost and then about 4" layer of barley straw mulch.

 

[HayStack]

You don't need to do anything. This happens a lot to my plants both indoors or outdoors. Just keep them watered and fed and you'll be fine.

 

[Hash Hound]

this is indoor but same issue. This is in a SIP and I have bags of Growstone Gnatblock in paint strainer bags I use as gnat deterrent and a mulch. The roots are so packed I couldn't scratch in the top dress, I had to poke holes in instead.

P173 CWW w4rts.jpg

• Hash Hound
• Jul 18, 2021

 

[Koolbudz]

You can tell watering style differences between all these plants with visible roots.

 

[Hash Hound]

now i know why they put the trench of nutes on top of the Earth Boxes

 

[cherub21a]

Any idea what causes surface roots to want to come up out of the soil and harden off like this? This has happened before, but to a much lesser extent. This plant seems to send roots up as well as down and out.

When I look up the symptoms, it mostly suggests being root bound. That has never been the case with this plant.
Thanks

I have the same issue each year, when I dump the pots at the end they often seem to be all root. Never really affected my crop though!