Roots & watering
Roots look brown
Root colour is a clue, not a diagnosis. Compare texture and plant performance with a healthy plant before assuming every tan root is rotten.
Check with RhizaFind your next step →Plant doctor · WITH DR. COCO
Should dead leaves and roots be left on cocopeat surfaces?
Remove unnecessary crop debris as part of routine hygiene, while avoiding damage to living roots and stems.
Teral grower guidance · Updated 27 October 2026
Dr. CocoYour plant doctor guideTHE COCOPEAT CONNECTION
Why the root zone matters
Debris on a moist substrate surface can create shelter and complicate inspection for pests or disease.
01 / OBSERVE
Three checks before you change anything
- Distinguish fallen leaves from exposed living roots.
- Inspect whether debris is accumulating around stems and outlets.
- Review how waste is collected and moved out of the growing area.
02 / NARROW IT DOWN
What material is accumulating?
Choose the closest observation for a suggested next check.
Fallen leaves on the surface
Remove them carefully and check whether the shedding itself needs investigation.
Dead roots around an outlet
Assess root health and drainage before pulling material that may connect to living roots.
Debris from pruning across rows
Improve collection during crop work so residues are not redistributed among containers.
03 / TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Leave with something useful
Include surface and outlet inspection in the regular crop walk.
Keep in mind
Do not scrape away healthy roots simply to make a container look clean.
Discuss this with Teral →CONNECTED QUESTIONS
