Algae in CoCo? strange dilemma

[HvaSkjer]

Hey everyone,

I've got kind of a strange dilemma here. I've got three plants outdoors in coco that are flowering, about week 3 or so. Just recently, I looked at my RO filter and saw that there was a shit ton of green algae in the filters. I know algae is not good for roots. For the last week or so, I've been seeing some twisted growth on my plants, and couldn't figure out why, but now I've connected the dots and realize that it's probably because of the algae in the water I've been giving them. One of them is heavily affected, another only slightly, and the third not so much.

What would you guys do here? I suspect my root zone is compromised to a degree and am not sure how to restore it.

I put some h202 from the drug store at 3ml per gal as a little flush today. Other than that ive done nothing except stop using the RO filter as of yesterday.

Should I just blast with beneficials?
Should I get food grade h202 or another strong root cleaner to kill any rhizo life?
Just flush with plain? (not sure how that would help)

Anyway, any input or ideas are appreciated

cheers

 

[Boocoodinkydow]

Green algae is competing for the same nutrients that your plants are demanding. Additionally, by the time it invades the root zone it creates a barrier that further deprives absorption of nutrients.

In my early gardening experience a few years ago, I lost a crop to the same malady but I was slow in discovering the cause. At that time I couldn’t find anything that would kill the algae without being detrimental to the plant. Perhaps some new developments have been made in the last five years, however. H2O2 is good for pythium but I’m not sure of its efficacy with the green algae in concentrations low enough to not harm the plant.

Wish I could offer more but......

Good luck

 

[HvaSkjer]

thanks

 

[troutman]

Algae needs light to grow. Block the light from hitting the coco maybe?

 

[RB56]

HydroLogic has covers for filter housings to block light and prevent algae growth at the filter. Doesn't seem like algae would get enough light to survive inside the coir. You problem at be dying and dead algae. If that's the case, low level H2O2 flushes make sense.

 

[HvaSkjer]

Thanks for the replies guys.

The coco is covered and I will do another light h202 flush tonite just for good measure, then I will blast with bennies and continue to feed

One thing I'd like to add:

I did give them a VERY intense defoliation, one got the max and the other two rather mild. The one I did the most on has the most twisted leaf growth, so I'm wondering if that could also be contributing to the deformation .

Cheers thanks everyone for the replies.

 

[indagroove]

I don't think your issue is algae. You said the algae was in the filters, but unless it's somehow passing through your RO membrane, then the only issue it should be causing is slow flow through the filter. The pics don't really look that bad to me. Heavy defoliation seems unnecessary outdoor to me unless you have an exceptionally broad leafed variety. Is your ph on target? Just running straight coco outdoor or what? Nutes? Seen any critters in the coco?

 

[HvaSkjer]

I don't think your issue is algae. You said the algae was in the filters, but unless it's somehow passing through your RO membrane, then the only issue it should be causing is slow flow through the filter. The pics don't really look that bad to me. Heavy defoliation seems unnecessary outdoor to me unless you have an exceptionally broad leafed variety. Is your ph on target? Just running straight coco outdoor or what? Nutes? Seen any critters in the coco?

Hmm,

I keep my pH in range between 5.8 - 6

I have 5 outdoor, 3 in coco, 2 in soil. The soil plants are not exhibiting ANY of these issues

Nutes I'm running is nothing special: cal mag (botanicare) rhino skin silica, dutchmaster 2 part flower, and crystal burst as my booster

I do see some flying critters here and there, some white flies and thrips, but not in alarming numbers. Maybe its them?