Rust-colored roots on okra, wilting

14 years ago

I planted okra a week ago in my hoop house and it is looking pitiful. It wilts terribly during the day and recovers at night. I warmed the soil to around 77-78 degrees using plastic mulch and the weather is as warm right now as it can get up here (inside my hoop house, 60 at night to 95 during the day). The soil is clay, but I've been careful to avoid overwatering. I pulled some plants up and saw two things:

1. the bottom roots were rotted and wiry from the tip to about 1/3 up after which they look white and normal

2. new roots coming from the top of the root ball look thick and healthy except they are rust colored - is this normal?

Can I do anything besides wait and watch?

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Comments (5)

User
14 years ago
It's sounding kinda like nematodes. Are you seeing any nodules (bumps/balls) on the roots?
jean001a
14 years ago
Need pictures, please.
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Slimy_Okra
Original Author
14 years ago
Nope, no bumps on the roots, at least none that were obvious.

I think I saved a couple of the plants I pulled up...I'll see if I can post a pic.
User
14 years ago
First, props to you for growing okra in a 2b...i couldn't imagine.

Also, I hope it's not a fungal root rot. When the soil gets above 80F it tends to "activate" if that's the case. In severe cases you'll be able to see the white strings around roots, but it doesn't always get to that point before plant decline.

It's one of those things that persists in the soil without a good treatment aside from avoiding plants/varieties that are susceptible. Your drainage is also pretty important, but you seem to have a handle on your watering.
Slimy_Okra
Original Author
14 years ago
Update on my okra:

Following all my okra plants wilting and drying, I replaced all of them 10 days ago with extra transplants I had lying around (modified Mennonite advice: plant double what you need). This time, I added Serenade to the planting hole. It has also been unusually hot here, with temps. in the 80s outside (so 100+ inside the tunnel) and this batch of okra has really taken off. So I'm not sure what was wrong with the first batch, but keeping my fingers crossed...