Cal/Maf Def (I think) - First Hydro Grow

[IllegallyAlive]

This is my first real grow. Noticed some discoloration and I do believe it to be cal mag from my research but I could be wrong, I would be a fool not to take advantage of this group's knowledge.

Currently only affecting middle plant.

Thank you

What STRAIN are you growing? Northernlights X BigBud Auto

What was the establishing technique? (Were the seed or clone?) Seed

What is the age of your plants? 20 days today

What PHASE are the plants in? (seedling, vegetative or flower) are the plants in? Veg 20/4

What Technique are you using? What substrate/medium are you using?(Hydroton, RockWool etc): Hydroton, rockwool, low pressure aeroponic

What is the Nutrient temperature 66 - 72

What Nutrients are you using: Technaflora Recipe for Success Starter Kit

What is the TDS/EC/PPM you are using? the cheap ones off amazon

What is the pH of the "Tank"? 5.8 -6.4

Are you sure your calibration is correct on your equipment? I calibrated when I got it and it was within range. Hasn't been a month

When was your last watering? Topped off yesterday

When was your last feeding change? (ie. grow-bloom-micro-additional): Monday was first full strength

What size bulb are you using? VIPARSPECTRA Reflector-Series 300W LED Grow Light Full Spectrum

What is the distance to the canopy? 36 in

What is your RH Factor? Don't even know what this is

What is the canopy temperature 66-73

What is the Day/Night Temp? (Include fluctuation range): 66-73

What is the current Air Flow? (cfm etc.): 6 inch sline fan and filter

Is the fan blowing directly at plants? Small fan in grow

Is your water HARD or SOFT? Soft

Has plant been recently pruned, cloned off of or pinched: No

Have any pest chemicals been used? No

Are plant's infected with pest's: No

 

[Douglas.Curtis]

Please use a full spectrum light for photos.

Even without a full color photo, the leaf damage does not look like it would be mag related. Looks pH related and 6.4 is too high for cannabis in hydro, stick to 6.1 max.

RH is relative humidity.

 

[IllegallyAlive]

My bad on photos. Doing some Christmas shopping will update photos with better lighting when I get home.

Thank you for your input

 

[IllegallyAlive]

Better pictures

Better pictures

Again sorry about the lighting in first photos. I am still new to this and won't do that again.

 

[Douglas.Curtis]

Ty for the photos, no need to apologize. Just helps paint a better picture.

In natural light it looks like pH and salt spotting issues. You're using soft water, from a water softener system, or just have a low ppm tap water source? I prefer r/o water, neutral pH and super low ppm.

 

[IllegallyAlive]

Ty for the photos, no need to apologize. Just helps paint a better picture.

In natural light it looks like pH and salt spotting issues. You're using soft water, from a water softener system, or just have a low ppm tap water source? I prefer r/o water, neutral pH and super low ppm.

Yes, my city's tap water is some of the best in the country and very low ppm out the tap I guess makes it shit for hydro.

So obviously lower the PH.

Now to take care of salt spotting do I use epsom salt? Cal Mag? Flush system add fresh nutes with increase cal mag and/or epsom salt?

 

[Douglas.Curtis]

Yes, my city's tap water is some of the best in the country and very low ppm out the tap I guess makes it shit for hydro.

Actually, the less 'shit' your water has the better it is for hydro. I don't buy the "Oh, your plants need calcium and it's in your tap water" bullshit. I've used R/O for 15 years and supply all the calcium I need with nutrients. If you're not using a water softener then you're just fine with low ppm water.

So obviously lower the PH.

Yep.

Now to take care of salt spotting do I use epsom salt? Cal Mag? Flush system add fresh nutes with increase cal mag and/or epsom salt?

You don't have additional salt from a water softener, I'd guess all that spotting is from pH issues.

Lower the pH and you should see nice and healthy new growth.

 

[IllegallyAlive]

Actually, the less 'shit' your water has the better it is for hydro. I don't buy the "Oh, your plants need calcium and it's in your tap water" bullshit. I've used R/O for 15 years and supply all the calcium I need with nutrients. If you're not using a water softener then you're just fine with low ppm water.

Yep.
You don't have additional salt from a water softener, I'd guess all that spotting is from pH issues.

Lower the pH and you should see nice and healthy new growth.

Thanks!

 

[windycitysmoker]

Ph problem

 

[Gramse]

Thats how my plants look when the ph drift and get too high.

 

[windycitysmoker]

Yup

 

[IllegallyAlive]

Ph problem

Thank you!

 

[IllegallyAlive]

Thats how my plants look when the ph drift and get too high.

Thank you for the info

 

[Shmavis]

Hi Illegally Alive.

Years ago I grew in a somewhat similar aero system. I always maintained a Ph of 5.8. Others have already pointed to that as your problem, so that’s not why I’m chiming in here. Can’t see in it full, but it looks as though your RH is twenty something? Saw your thread about your build - great job. (I hope you’re able to provide some quality medicine for your pain.) In that thread you show your dehumidifier... is it running to keep RH in the twenties? At this point in veg you want high humidity. Turn the dehumidifier off, if it’s on. You may need to get a small humidifier. Ideally you want at least 60%... 65% to 70% with your temp of 73 would be even better.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

 

[IllegallyAlive]

Hi Illegally Alive.

Years ago I grew in a somewhat similar aero system. I always maintained a Ph of 5.8. Others have already pointed to that as your problem, so that’s not why I’m chiming in here. Can’t see in it full, but it looks as though your RH is twenty something? Saw your thread about your build - great job. (I hope you’re able to provide some quality medicine for your pain.) In that thread you show your dehumidifier... is it running to keep RH in the twenties? At this point in veg you want high humidity. Turn the dehumidifier off, if it’s on. You may need to get a small humidifier. Ideally you want at least 60%... 65% to 70% with your temp of 73 would be even better.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

Thank you for your advice, Shmavis.

The dehumidifier is off and has been off.

During the summer when I was building it and testing the environment, I noticed the humidity getting high so I bought it just in case. Better to have and not need than need and not have type of purchase.

But now the winter months bring a much much lower humidity.


Would closing up the passive air intake and lowering the fan speed help to raise the humidity?

 

[Shmavis]

Thank you for your advice, Shmavis.

The dehumidifier is off and has been off.

During the summer when I was building it and testing the environment, I noticed the humidity getting high so I bought it just in case. Better to have and not need than need and not have type of purchase.

But now the winter months bring a much much lower humidity.


Would closing up the passive air intake and lowering the fan speed help to raise the humidity?

To what extent, I can’t say. But I would definitely try that. Dial down your fan as much as possible. Another option may be to get a humidifier for the bedroom. That way the air exchange will result in a higher RH entering through your passive intake.

Twenty something is just awfully low.

Best.

 

[IllegallyAlive]

To what extent, I can’t say. But I would definitely try that. Dial down your fan as much as possible. Another option may be to get a humidifier for the bedroom. That way the air exchange will result in a higher RH entering through your passive intake.

Will do

 

[IllegallyAlive]

Hi Illegally Alive.

Can’t see in it full, but it looks as though your RH is twenty something?

Past 24 hours

H - 33 rh
L - 22 rh

Current 28 rh

 

[Douglas.Curtis]

I'm in the opposite boat than most growers.

High humidity and temps will produce a lot of plant with a big stretch when you flip to flower. It's a high VPD environment like the tropics. I grow the same number of trichomes as a high VPD plant would grow, only I grow at 72F with 20-25% RH.

You don't get a huge stretch at flip, so you'll have to veg longer for the same yields. You'll get smaller buds with trichomes much closer together. Higher cannabinoid production per gram and amazing terpene production and retention.

Still a lot of naysayers on the subject, yet none from those who grow the way I do.

 

[megadude]

I'm struggling with the same RH issue. My setup is a little larger but I think we're probably in the same area w/the nice tap water and low winter RH/high summer RH.


Here's a link to a good chart. I just kinda got hip to VPD and noticed I'm way too dry.
http://www.just4growers.com/media/1315/vapor_pressure_deficit_relative_humidity_chart_small.jpg

According to that @ 73 degrees you'd want to be closer to 65% RH.
Check out house of hydro for what I'd imagine is probably the easiest RH solution. You might be able to get away with a 1-disc floating around in a 3.5gal bucket depending on size of tent. I have two small humidifiers running and its still not enough. Passive intake/exhaust makes low RH climate growing tough I guess.

As for the leaf issues, I'm mostly guessing but think it could be a cal/mag issue, which may correct itself if you can keep the Ph down a little.

another link - https://www.420magazine.com/gallery/data/500/Nutrient_Uptake_and_pH.jpg

I'm not familar with the nutrients you're using, but I've noticed while running "Lucas" Maxi Bloom the plants seem to like a little higher ph from what most people suggest. I'm usually in the 6.2ish range as opposed to 5.8

hope that helps. I'm by no means an expert but figured i'd throw some options in there worth checking out
S