The Claw, what could be causing it?

[slowandeasy]

So one of 3 NL girls is getting a tad bit of clawing downward. It is one week into flowering, and is growing very fast. They are in DWC and pH 5.6 right now. PPM went down 50-100 in 24 hours, it is about 600ppm right now. No leaf tip burn, but spotty old growth. Using FloraNova Bloom. Under 400 watt hps and CFL's. Don't think it is overfert because ppm went down. Any suggestions? Also thinking about adding cal-mag, because using RO water...think it would help? Should it be flushed? Thanks!

 

[Weedhound]

Not sure because I don't use flora Nova but I would wonder if you need to flush the system. If the plants are eating the number down then yes, they need more. But the claw can also be a sign of overnute. do you have a pic?

causes of claw could be:
1.. overnute
2. too much nitrogen
3. lack of aeration to roots (generally hydro)
4 root problems, root rot
5. heat stress
6. anormal ph.

A picutre would help alot and you have calibrated your ph meter recently, yes? Just to be sure.

 

[slowandeasy]

No pics sorry, calibrate meter every use. No root problems, no temp problems, pH is about 5.6 now and is kept between there and 6.0
They are in DWC and only one is doing it, it is the best growing one too. 8 days into flower, but showed signs of the claw for almost 2 weeks. What should be done? Could CFLs be too close? Raised them up the other day just incase. Also, cut off a few leaves and it looked like the liquid inside was tinted red. Never saw that before. Thanks!

 

[Weedhound]

oops I forgot cold temps can also cause the claw. I'm sorry but I can't answer your question about the nutes and CalMag as I've never used them and just don't know. I'm sure someone who uses that formula could tell you. Let's hope they come by soon.

Plenty of airstones in your res and what are your water temps?

 

[PrimoVG]

are the leaves rigid? dark green? and dry?

I think a flush is your best bet. I don't have experience with dwc or RO water, though.

 

[slowandeasy]

Yeah the leaves are dry and ridgid, kinda dark green, but under the HPS you can see what looks like maybe a cal-mag def.

Res temps 63, cab temps 77. It did get cold a couple days when lights were off, but other than that it is stable. Plenty of air in the res too. Never had to flush before in DWC, how long do you have to flush for? Thanks!!

 

[PrimoVG]

Well like I said, I'm unfamialiar with DWC...all I know is that the peeps that use DWC flush for 1-2 weeks, but that's for harvest.

I had this problem once (in soil). I just flushed 'til the oldests leaves started turning yellow.

 

[Weedhound]

Up your res temps to at LEAST 67----70 being ideal. Yes, that could be causing the claw.
A cheap aquarium heater should fix up your res.

good luck.

 

[jammie]

hey there slowaneasy. i've had some minor clawing on a couple of my sativa dominant strains, usually in early flowering. the first time it happened i freaked thinking it was root rot or something. but everything checked out ok, it never occurred on more than 10% of the leaves, but most important it didn't affect grow. so as long as the leaves look healthy and the plants growin- no problem

 

[slowandeasy]

70 degrees is not ideal for DWC WeedHound 62-68 is, anything above 72 and you will get problems. They were 67-70 when on 24 hours, but a steady 63-64 is good, way better than above 70. Not saying your wrong, they did dip down a few days.

Jammie, yeah it is only on one and it is the biggest and fastest growing one. PPMs went down, meaning they are hungry...but afraid to bump up too much because of the Claw. Will just keep an eye on them. Any other suggestions?

 

[whodi]

Maybe try adding some P/K

 

[mysophilia]

I saw this title and knew that you were running NL.. I have a NL that will do the "claw" too when she gets way over ferted.. Let me guess that she finishes up in 7 weeks too? Mine is super fast, and she gets super purple when it gets cold out.. Flush her out and she will bounce back fast !!

 

[slowandeasy]

Dont know how fast they will finish, but the stems are super purple. The one with the claw is growing the fastest, and is eating up nutes...so do not understand the overferting. They are in DWC, how long should it flush for? Thanks