Sick plant 30 days flowering, plz help.

[fasteddie]

I am in need of help, I cant figure out what is wrong with my girl.

she is 31 days flowering and heres a little info

400w hps

6.8 ph (checked with digi pen)

1 foot 6 inches tall

was given 1/2 strength nutrients 4 days ago (mg bloom) and tiny bit of grandmas molassas

In a mix of mg soil and perilite in a 1.5 gallon pot

ventilation is pretty good, have duct fan and regular fan

temps around 80-82 degrees

humidity around 30% to 60%

watered once every 4 to 7 days as needed

I think I am giving it plenty of nutrients but maybe i am diluting it too much. I dont want to give it more ferts and kill it, dont want to let it starve. I thought of transplanting but its so 25 days from harvest so it seems like a bad idea. I see no sign of bugs and soil is moist from checking the ph.

 

[Brother_Monk]

Looks normal to me. Perhaps next time, give 'em veg nutes for the first 2-3 weeks. They will use up the big fans first. If you are concerned, give 'em a quick shot of N for the duration, but seeing as how you are gunna harvest in 3-1/2 weeks, that would probably be counter productive. Grow and learn.

They still look healthy for the most part. How long has it been in that pot? Sometimes rootbound plants will yellow quicker.

 

[stinkyattic]

Your plant is functionally rootbound in a pot that is not draining correctly.

The built-in trays trap moisture.
When you re-pot, to a pot about 3 gallons with nice light soil, you will find that there is soggy, unuseable soil in the bottom couple inches of that one, resulting in a wasted space that would give the impression that the pot size is adequate, when in fact the plant can only use about half the soil in there.
At teh VERY least, rip off the tray thingy and check the drain holes, and prop the thing up so that the low part fo the soil actually dries out more between waterings.
Got a power drill and a set of paddle bits? Aww yeah, 1/2" holes ftw...

 

[Johnny Rotten]

^^^^Spot On !!

Those pots have built in rez's at the bottom for lazy housewives that forget to water.

You can just make sure you tip it after watering and drain all the water from the tray.

There is a poster on GardenWeb named tapla who has some very interesting ideas on potted plants and soil composition.

He touches on the idea that even if you have porous soil, potting mixes still hold a reservoir of water in the bottom of the pot from water tension pressures and fibrous roots wont develop there, in effect reducing the soil capacity in your pots.

Next time you water, wait a bit and tip the container 45 degrees and water will pour out still. It is because you are lowering the lowest point in the pot.

To fix this problem, he suggests adding a piece of wickable rope out of the bottom of the pot which lowers the water retention point and helps you get the full capacity of your pot and avoid overwatering.

 

[fasteddie]

Yipes, so I am guessing my best course of action is to transplant? Or should I just drill drainage holes. I am worried a transplant would lead to shock and stop the growth as the nugs are REALLY filling out. Im just worried as the rate of yellowing seems to be a tad fast and though I think the plant would last 3 weeks it would be close and I dont want to hurt the nugs. The plant has been in the pot for about 2 months. This is my first proper grow so I am doing my best and appreciate the help!

 

[stinkyattic]

IF you transplant correctly, without jostling the root ball so that it breaks up, the plant will only benefit from a drier, airier home.
Let the soil dry out pretty well before you transplant (rip off the drain tray, like, yesterday), because a sodden root ball is prone to crumbling under its own weight.

 

[fasteddie]

Well I transplanted to a bigger pot, about 2.5 gallon by the looks of it. I figured better to do it sooner than later, I tried to be gentle and the everything went smooth. Sadly all I had was miracle grow soil with nutrients, I mixed with perilite. Im hoping it will be fine if I just dont give it any more nutrients aside from some molasses, I want it to be a little under fed come harvest.