brown spots, not sure what

[master shake]

well after 3 weeks of veg I switched to 12/12 yesterday, they're all about 6 inches tall working on 6 and 7th nodes. I've fed them only 2 times (last 2 waterings) with Grow Big, first time 1/2 strength, second time full strength which was given yesterday. Now, I was just looking at em and noticed some brown spots on a couple of them. I saw a few spots on lower leaves BEFORE i started feeding so I figured they needed some food, maybe a K def. now I'm seeing spots appear on upper leaves. what could this be?

they're all CHRONIC bagseed (not the strain, but quality). one is supposed to be a sweet tooth but who knows...they are growing in FF Happy Frog. I give them spring water with a little tap added for Cal. I've searched around and couldn't find anything quite like it. I'm guessing it's a Mg def from what I've seen, but I don't know because this is my first real indoor grow.









thanks for stoppin by!

 

[Guest]

RELAX! they are doing fine.



i clicked on this thread expecting to see major ph problems or something....sheesh, worry worts

 

[Guest]

i got a pimple on my face..lol

 

[master shake]

so spots like that are normal?

 

[Guest]

no...i see one spot..or speck rather

 

[master shake]

no, look closer...

just took some better pics


many spots like this on random leaves



these 2 are a bit different

 

[Guest]

I am in the same situation, I have same spots showing up and it has happened almost overnight.

.

I will let you know if I find anything out, please let me know if you find a reason and cure as well.

I misted with epsom salt yesterday for mag def.
I think it may be ph related, my well water has risen in ph by at least 1 in the last few weeks, due to rain.
Hope you get through it and hope we can help each other.

 

[DD4Y]

I
I think it may be ph related, my well water has risen in ph by at least 1 in the last few weeks, due

What is the ph of the water you are using now? A high ph could definitely cause nutrient lockout and the cell collapse that seems to be showing. If you haven't already, get a ph tester or testing strips from a garden supply store.

Citric acid is a good ph down in a pinch but nitric or phosphoric acids are better.

 

[master shake]

What is the ph of the water you are using now? A high ph could definitely cause nutrient lockout and the cell collapse that seems to be showing. If you haven't already, get a ph tester or testing strips from a garden supply store.

Citric acid is a good ph down in a pinch but nitric or phosphoric acids are better.

yo I think your right man, didn't think of it. last watering I used like half tap (because I ran out of spring water) which is HARD around here, smells like a damn swimming pool. can I just use lemon juice or vinegar??


thanks dude

 

[DD4Y]

You could use lemon juice or vinegar, but neither of them are too stable. In my experience, the ph drifts back up within a day or so. YMMV.

 

[master shake]

You could use lemon juice or vinegar, but neither of them are too stable. In my experience, the ph drifts back up within a day or so. YMMV.

should I flush with plain water then? what pH should I be looking for in my water to correct this? since 6.4-6.8 is best for soil should I use water at 6 or less to correct it?

 

[DD4Y]

That would be a good way. Do you have a ph meter? If so.. do a test of the water you are pouring through before you start. Then take a reading of the first water that flows through. That will give you an idea of what you are flushing out. The rule of thumb is to flush with 3 x the soil volume in the container. Again, you can check what the run off water is like at that point and decide where to go from there.

 

[MsJones]

Those reddish brown spots are definitely a calcium deficiency. I would use Cal/Mag or some lime and drop that ph to 6.3 - 6.5. Tap water is much better when you let it sit out a day or so, preferably with an airstone bubbling air frm an air pump into it. Good luck!

Peace
MsJ

 

[master shake]

Those reddish brown spots are definitely a calcium deficiency. I would use Cal/Mag or some lime and drop that ph to 6.3 - 6.5. Tap water is much better when you let it sit out a day or so, preferably with an airstone bubbling air frm an air pump into it. Good luck!

Peace
MsJ

I let the tap water sit out at least 24hrs. I assume there is plenty of cal in my tap water because after I drink a glass of water and some of the drops evaporate there is white water spots inside the cup, which is calcium and other minerals right? am i better off using cal/mag and spring water and say hell with tap water?

 

[MsJones]

I use tap as well but my levels are good here. After a day or two of being in the sun and bubbled the readings are around 6.4 - 6.5 ph and 100-200 ppm..after adding cal/mag the ph comes down to around 6.3 and my ppms hit around 400. That white you see could als be from other minerals and salt in the water that eithe rmake it soft or what have you. Plus, if you have fluoridated water...well I just wouldn't want to use that on my plants. Stick with your tap water but use some cal/mag and bring that ph down a tad to the 6.3 - 6.5 zone. 6.5 being the max.

Happy growing!

Peace,
MsJ

 

[master shake]

well I've been doing some reading and I'm not convinced it's a pH issue. in the organic forum, the "organics for beginners" sticky talks about organic pH issues.

"Humates work to "buffer" the pH of organic mediums and the nutes you pour (or mix) into it..." "With an active medium rich in humates you can pour in nutes like Pure Blend Pro, Earth Juice and guano teas with pH anywhere from 4 to 9 without worry."


the Happy Frog soil I'm using says it has composted forest humus. So I guess all I should do for now is add some dolomite lime. how can I apply the lime now that the plants are already in the soil? if not I'll just buy some cal+mag

also I've been calling around garden shops and none have pH test kits, can I use one for aquariums from a pets mart?

thanks for all the help!

 

[MsJones]

That's cool...if you've got something that can handle the ph well then hey..that works out pretty handy for ya then huh : ) Yeah..lime I THINK can be watered in...just put some up top and it will go in with the water. Maybe you can put narrow holed into the soil and kinda spread some in those...

I have never added it after. Maybe someone else has a better idea.

Rock it,
Jonesy

 

[Lady 420]

Maybe someone else has a better idea.

Rock it,
Jonesy

If ph is low, you can topdress powdered/pulverized lime at 1 1/5 teaspoon per gallon of soil mix. Water in. Ph must be low! If ph is okay or high, you can add cal mag plus instead. 1/4 teaspoon calcium nitrate and epsom salts per gallon of water can be add instead of cal mag plus 100x cheaper. Calcium chloride could be used instead of calcium nitrate but will take the % ca and net weight of the bottle to give you a rate of 60 ppm ca. It might be sold under names like blossom end rot stopper for tomatoes.

Just because you have organics in your mix does not mean ph is non important.

Ph strips from a pet store are ok.

 

[MsJones]

Thank you, Lady 420. You said a lot of things I needed to know myself. I'm fairly new at trying my hand at support. If I screw up in my advice please people set me straight! Anything that can be added is also appreciated.


Thanks
MsJ

 

[master shake]

If ph is low, you can topdress powdered/pulverized lime at 1 1/5 teaspoon per gallon of soil mix. Water in. Ph must be low! If ph is okay or high, you can add cal mag plus instead. 1/4 teaspoon calcium nitrate and epsom salts per gallon of water can be add instead of cal mag plus 100x cheaper. Calcium chloride could be used instead of calcium nitrate but will take the % ca and net weight of the bottle to give you a rate of 60 ppm ca. It might be sold under names like blossom end rot stopper for tomatoes.

Just because you have organics in your mix does not mean ph is non important.

Ph strips from a pet store are ok.

hey Lady, thanks for tha info. I'll probably go with the cal-mag or alternative you suggested. I just got a liquid test kit for aquariums, it measures only between 6-7.6. I tested both the spring water and tap, both maxed out, so obviously its hard shit (smells horrible too so would you go with the calcium nitrate or CaCl? I haven't tested pH after adding grow big and molasses yet, will do that in a day or 2 when i water and go from there

and MsJones, you were a great help too, much appreciated.