A "Spotty" Problem

[crunkinshoe]

Hey guys, I've been gone for a while but am now back with a computer near me.
So heres the deal:

soil: 50% coco, 30% perlite, 20% compost, hydroton on bottom with a little mixed in
pots: 1 gallon
nutes: tap water (let vent for 24 hrs) and medium organic tea once sometimes twice a week
amount and distance of light: 40w fluoros light < 1 inch from top of canopy
age of plant: clone about 2-3 weeks in veg
Temp and RH: My temp is in the high 70s and RH is between 40-60%
pH: I havent tested recently but last time I did nutes were high 6's low 7's and runoff was low 6's
Ventilation: 1 fan w/ ac on fan also

Pics pretty much speak for themselves but I've had this problem before but on a different pheno and now its showing again. Leaves are affected from the bottom of the plant up with the upper leaves just starting to show signs. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Crunk

 

[daddyweez2000]

I have something similair cant wait to find out what

 

[ChaoticEntity]

I would say PH is probably off and a bit off on K and micronutrient lockout, a good flush with distilled water and a light dose of nutes should work, make sure your ferts have micronutrients in them.

get a basic PH test kit for aquariums, it'll at least let you know if your PH is really out of wack and costs like $5

 

[crunkinshoe]

I have a hanna checker, and Im not sure if it reads that accurately but...
I will take some new ph readings as soon as I mix another batch of tea and post the results. Also I just saw something semi similar in another thread and someone suggested to give the plants a little dark time as they might be stressed because of a 24-0 lighting cycle...

 

[crunkinshoe]

Ok well runoff after watering with tap water is 5.3, which I guess could be a little higher but I noticed a couple days a ago tons of little bugs coming out of the soil.... Im not sure what they are as there is no typical leaf damage from them but they look kinda like mites

 

[bartender187]

could possible be thrips? gnats?

5.3 is definately low for soil PH. I would work on raising that,,, sprinkle some dolimitic lime on the top of the soil or mix up a dolmitic lime solution and water them. keep an eye on the runoff ph for a week or so. should be around the 6.2-6.8 ish range.

 

[crunkinshoe]

The bugs actually look like a cross between an ant and a spider... not thrips or gnats I dont believe as I have delt with fungus gnats before.. and I dont think mites because there is no evidence on the leaves and they are definitely visable with the naked eye...

I am going to bring the ph up with a little lime and see how it goes

 

[daddyweez2000]

found out i had fungas gnats i wonder if that is what has been going on.

 

[Chronic Newfie]

For those that aren't sure if they PH testers are accurate or not should go out and get some 7PH and 4PH buffer solutions so you can calibrate or just check that its bang on before using to test your nute solutions.

Peace

 

[MTF-Sandman]

That's PH spotting for sure bro...what's the "compost" consist of? Sounds like it may have alot of peat in it...

 

[wildheart]

Magnesium Again!!!

Magnesium Again!!!

Hi Crunkinshoe,

Seems clear to me that you are experiencing a magnesium deficiency, something that is starting to become a problem for many, hence AmercanAgritechs Botanicare product called Cal-Mag.

The key factors in determining your deficiency are that the problem started lower on the plant and is working it's way up, the first two or three weeks were probably just fine and normal but now problems emerging, lower level fan leaves beginning to wash out, then soon after begin to burn along their tips and then Viola! the leaves will beging to CURL UP!

Magnesium deficiency. Easily cured!

Chronic Newfies advice is spot on... Hopefully you have a very good Hanna PH Tester - mine costs about $125 and I have two of them, and they are constantly calibrated with both solutions, 7 and 4, as well as stored in 'Storage Solution'. Again, if what you are doing is worth it to you, then I strongly encourage you to learn your water to an EXTREME degree!

Acording to consultations with AA and General Hydroponics, magnesium begins to be locked away from the plant at PH levels of 6.3 or 6.4 and below, leading to these types of problems within two to three weks. Cal-Mag is the way to go. add as necessary... you may find that you have to add cal-mag with every watering as I have found. Having tested my water I found that I have a source and water system that is mag. deficient. In that scenario I have to add Cal-Mag with every watering. People that use RO water are strongly encouraged to do the same. Rapid rescusitation can be acheived by a foliar of Cal-Mag (1/2 strength) as well as the watering.

Magnesium deficiency is considered fourth most common plant deficiency after Nitro, Phos and Potassium. With the foods and soils most of us are using the first three just aren't showing up that often anymore I would imagine, leading quietly to Magnesium deficiency now becoming most common??? I hypothesize...

Best regards,


Wildheart

 

[khaleel]

sorry - off topic

sorry - off topic

hey crunkin, sorry for the off-topic post, but i just wanted to say thanks for the rubber-band LST idea i got off of one of your posts. works like a charm.