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
How do I distinguish physical root damage from disease in cocopeat?
Use handling history and the progression of symptoms to guide investigation. Appearance alone may not reliably separate injury from infection.
Teral grower guidance · Updated 27 October 2026
Dr. CocoYour plant doctor guideTHE COCOPEAT CONNECTION
Why the root zone matters
Roots can be damaged during moving, cutting or container failure, while a damaged root zone may also develop secondary problems.
01 / OBSERVE
Three checks before you change anything
- Record recent lifting, transplanting, repairs or accidental disturbance.
- Compare damaged roots with untouched roots from a healthy plant.
- Track whether symptoms remain local or continue to spread.
02 / NARROW IT DOWN
What is the strongest clue?
Choose the closest observation for a suggested next check.
Damage follows a known handling event
Review support and handling, then monitor recovery without assuming all later symptoms are explained.
Deterioration continues beyond the injury
Arrange diagnostic assessment and check moisture conditions and hygiene.
No clear handling history
Treat the cause as unresolved and gather fresh root samples according to laboratory instructions.
03 / TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Leave with something useful
Keep the timeline, photos and root observations together for a crop-adviser review.
Keep in mind
Do not use the presence of a physical injury to rule out disease, or vice versa.
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