Zinc Deficiency

[TNJed]

Anyone w/ information on what would cause a micronutrient, esp. zinc(Bad!), defiency when the plants are being provided w/ micronutrients. I am running an aeroponic system w/ Pure Blend Pro, Cal/Mag+, Liquid Karma, Sweet, Hydroguard, and Hygrozyme. I also spray them w/ Sray-N-Grow once a week until the third week of flowering. Plants go into the system, veg. for a week or ten days, and are then put into flower. After a week or two, instead of flowering they show symptoms of an extreme zinc deficiency. Flowering is both greatly delayed and retarded. I have used this system in this manner for over a year with no problems, like this at any rate, and now three batches of clones have all responded the exact same way. 600w HPS, well vented, no light leaks, p.h. around 5.8, system has been thoroughly cleaned and rinsed between grows. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MTF-Sandman]

How about the details of yoru setup/environment and nute levels? Some pics would really help as well...

I'm running PBP, LK, CM+ & Banana Manna and have never seen a zinc def - most micro defs are caused by lockouts from excessive nutes or PH.

 

[Grat3fulh3ad]

Is it possible your nutes are old?

 

[powdergreen]

maybe its your mothers, are they show the def also. Excess of P will lock out zinc as well as other micros.

 

[MynameStitch]

I have only seen zinc deficiency's in soil setup's never seen one in hydro not once!

So it has to be something else, but like sandman has stated more information isneeded and pictures would help out a lot too!

 

[Hotgurl]

Too many alkaline earth metals can cause zinc def. This could be calcium and magnesium. Stop using sweet with magnesium and reduce cal mag.

 

[VanGrow]

If your doing exactly the same things youve done in the past I would think you should be able to back track and find the root of the problem...
could it be a temperature issue?
it is winter...dont know if your in a cold area...and the problem has apparently just started...as did the colder weather...
Humidity to low ???
dry heat = low humidity ( I had big problem from dry heat Last winter for a few weeks...humidity was under 30% and it was colder than id have liked at times when the heat or light wasnt on(12/12) ...Result --everything I put in that room for flowering went in healthy and then would show Defs overnight after the switch( stunted yellowing,crisping) only took 2 weeks to kill some of them...the room they came from ( veg room 24/7 light...in the other part of the house continued to thrive...
Unhealthy or struggling clones or clone mother?
You didnt mention PPM ....to much nutes?
If the clones are healthy until flowering....then start there...
If thats the case I would think its a water issue ( ie nutes ,temp,ph)
or an enviornmental issue ( temp,drafts,humidity etc)....
JMO (just my opinion)
Hope it works out...

Vangrow

 

[Guest]

Too many alkaline earth metals can cause zinc def. This could be calcium and magnesium. Stop using sweet with magnesium and reduce cal mag.

THE ABOVE ADVICE IS NOT TO BE USED!
How can you suggest this when there is no more info? SPROUTCO I know its you buddy! Dont start your shit again!

Now, Based on info given I agree with vangrow. Something water related PH, NUTES, or a enviornmental issue.

 

[10k]

TNjed,
why are you hitting them with the spray-n-grow every week until 3rd week of flowering ?
What week are the plants on right now ?

Spray-n-grow is only useful for a foliar kick of iron, but you also end up with a nasty shot of sodium bicarbonate in the process if you followed the label directions.
Your nute cocktail has pleanty of iron already and needs no additional iron imho, and also sounds a little heavy on the mg btw.

Perhaps all that foliar applied iron and sodium is a causative factor here ?

ime and imho, spray-n-grow should only be used one time if at all, and only if you need to fix an iron def

 

[10k]

TNjed ?

 

[B.C.]

Take a look at GreatfulHeads sticky on plant diagnoses

Take a look at GreatfulHeads sticky on plant diagnoses

To much micro-nutes,you know there's enough zinc in these nutes it's jus gettin locked up by too much of another nute.I'll Betcha!lol...Good luck with em,take care...BC

 

[TNJed]

I've already scrapped this group of clones, it wasn't a zinc defiency. I just really don't think it was a deficiency of any sort. Maybe some sort of micro overdose. I don't know. I am scrapping the Spray-And-Grow, except as a one time spray and then only after signs of a micro deficiency. I salvaged a couple of my best plants from the last round and put them in a mixture of two parts Foxfarm "Ocean Forest" pottting soil and one part Foxfarm Light Warrior Mix. I am feeding them 15ml/gal Pure Blend Pro(grow) and 5 ml/gal Liquid Karma. I am adding 5 ml/gal hygrozyme every theird or fourth watering. I also gave them 5 ml/gal Dyna-Gro K-L-N rooting compound (with B1 vitamin) for the first couple of waterings after pulling them out of the aero system and putting them dirt. It is supposed to cut down on transplant shock. The plants have made the transplant along w/ a few mothers that were in a soilless mix before the Foxfarm. The plants that came out of the system are living but not thriving. I cut a lot of the affected/infected stunted growth away and it appears as if the plants aqre trying to produce new growth but are in some sort of stasis. new green nubs have formed but have not advanced any further. To be honest, I didn't expect them to survive the transplant. They looked bad and I had to cut a good bit of their root systems away to get them out of the aeroponic system, for their roots had intertwined and had grown around parts of the system itself. They are in a room that is well ventilated, averages about 72-74 degrees Farenheit during the light hrs. and about 67-69 degrees farenheit during the dark. Daylight humidity is aound 40-43% and rises to around 60-65% during the dark hours because I do not run the exhaust fan full-time like during the light period. BTW, the nutrients are relatively new(six months old at the most) and have been stored in a cool dark area.

 

[Mackawber]

Somebody put and post those 2 soil and hydro nutrient availability / pH charts up again to settle this shit!

 

[TNJed]

I was thinking micro overdose before I moved on to my disease theory. To be honest, I have been in a state of panic and have been grabbing for straws trying to find an answer! As I just stated above I have backed off to combo. of Pure Blend Pro(grow) and Liquid Karma and they are in an excellant soil mix(Foxfarm). I have them under 18hrs. of light and am trying to nurse them back to health!! I am going to go with a just the basics approach and see what happens. Thanks again to everyone for all of your input and advice!!

 

[B.C.]

I think yer on the right track now

I think yer on the right track now

I'd like ta point out if yer usein fresh fox farm soil ya don't need any nutes fera while.A one time dose of LK for transplant shock is all ya need.Jus make sure yer water is in ph range of 6.5-7 and yer set,at least fer a couple of weeks.I think they'll straighten them selves out in no time like this.I get the impression you were lovin em ta death.The combination of products you were giving was redundant,meaning many had the same things in them.Hence the micro-nute problem.Jus remember ta try and keep it simple,I think ya know this now.So anyway if ya have any more problems jus hollar.Good luck wit em,take care...BC

 

[TNJed]

My obsessive/compulsive personality tends to lead me to overdo things. I am gonna back way the hell off and let mothernature do her thing w/o too mich interference from my big, dumb ass! Thanks again!