Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

My plants are developing this cotton like substance in the roots and they have mosquito like creaters living on the roots. My plants seens just fine but I am affraid the roots are dying. Anyone with information abiut what it is and how to control it please help. Here are some pics:

Well the roots are definitely dying now that you have uprooted the plant. Not an expert, but I would suggest that there is nothing wrong with the roots deeper in the growbed. It seems like some fungus/mouldy growth associated with the top part of the roots being kept damp for a long period of time. Flooding too high or the leaves around the plant does allow enough airflow near that top part of the roots.

root aphids? I use dunks on them in hydro but anyone ever have a problem with them in aquaponics? I think it says fish safe on the package IIRC

The mosquito like critters are probably Sciarid Fly, they are also known as Fungus Gnat because they like to burrow around in organic material such as compost heaps, garden mulch, leaf litter etc, where they inadvertently pick up fungal spores, which they then carry around on themselves until they find another cosy damp spot with organic material to lay their eggs... ie: your AP system

They lay their eggs in the growing media, tiny larvae (grubs) about 2-3mm long hatch out and chew their way through your plants root system.

Damaged root system, plus fungal spores = what you've now got!

To treat it I would hand water Dipel through your growing media every 4-5 days, this'll kill the larvae, and if you keep it up you'll knock off the adult population. Make sure the water you use for the Dipel solution is free of Chlorine/Chloramines, maybe use water out of your system, it's only going to end up back in there anyway.

You could also try hand watering some Eco-Rose through the growing media, this may knock off the fungus and also provide some extra Potassium for your plants. However, don't do this with the Eco-Rose if your system pH is already high, or it will increase it further.

Cheers.

Mr Damage

I was told to try spraying water with vinegar on the root and this seems to work for a while. I am going to try water Dipel and see what it does.

any more info on root aphids? i think i got em