These are pictues of UberWensch from Grimms Bros. Planted 10/6 and tranferred to current pot on 11/11. Growing inside with 18 hours light. Notice the leaves are droopy and some of the leaves are duller green than others and covered with brown spots.
I’m wondering what is going on. Based on my limited research, I’m coming up with phosphorous deficiency. But I am by no means sure. ALSO, I’ve read that deficiencies can be caused by actual deficiency OR by a pH problem, whereby the plant can’t suck up the nutrient in question due to a bad pH value (too high or low). In southern california, we have “hard” water that has lots of salts and high pH. Perhaps I need to treat my water with some acid? And then of course I’d need a recommendation on a CHEAP way to test the water to see that it is in the correct range. If memory serves, 6.5 was touted as good pH. I believe our water is more like 7.5-7.8. And it’s southern california, so no rainwater ever :).
Thanks!
Hey bud hows ya holidays going? As for concern it could be the ph issue causing a lockout and if your water is roughly that high in ph and “hard” i suggest a good flush with like ro or distilled water and then if got to use the tap water grab some ph down, ph meter, and calibration solution and water at around 6.5 ph range for rest of the grow. You can get the 3 items needed to measure your ph for like $30 on amazon or little cheaper. Plants have a good green color im just thinking the salt buildup of the water is finally stacking up and creating a lockout
Based on other threads at this site, I might get some phosphorous supplement. Any recommendations?
Thank you!
P.S. If I’m reading the chart you provided correctly (the one for soil). At 7.6 ph is where you will start to have problems getting phosphorus (and other stuff) into the plant.
P.P.S. Maybe just using distilled water is enough, and skip the product above? I mean, distilled water is 7.0 (I think!) which is not 6.5, but perhaps close enough?
The 3 steps sound like good ideas and the ph down by gh is ok to use ive used it on multiple plants and as for using distilled at 7.0 you probably could get away with as your microbial life in soil thrive better off a 7.0-7.5 range which will help breakdown nutes in soil faster but on the flip side the plant uptakes those nutes best at a 6.5 ph range so im thinking it should be okay but honestly thats just me thinking and not actually knowing as ive only ever watered in around 6.5 except for seedling i just used distilled water to keep soil moist. Hopefully sj can cover that question better than me
Where you at in socal? I’m in Orange County and my ph is pretty spot on but maybe I’m just lucky! My house is close to a reservoir so maybe that’s why? You’re in the right spot to figure it out tho, these guys (and girls) on here are awesome!
San Diego. 7.6-7.8 is what my wife said the pool pH kit said. She’s a chemist and much smarter than me so I’m guessing that’s about right unless the kit is really messed up. Plus, I’ve always heard San Diego water is “hard” and alkaline. I can also say we have lots of problems with appliances (dishwasher, washer, faucets, etc.) getting hard deposits on them.
Honestly, getting control of your ph is the most important thing you can do. Any attempt to grow without it will result in massive headaches and a merry-go-round of endless issues.
For the sake of 20 or 30 bucks you can save yourself a lot of stress, and your plants (and hairline!) will thank you.
Transplanting won’t help, you will still have the same issues. Distilled water might but then you would have to add cal-mag, which would again alter ph.
Also adding more phosphorous won’t help if you have a lockout. You could add a metric ton and if the plant cannot uptake it it won’t help one bit. To the plant, when ph is out, uptaking nutrients is apparently like trying to suck a ping pong ball through a straw. Just ain’t happening lol.
The way it normally works, assuming you are adding nutes to the water, is you add all your nutrients to your water, then you adjust the ph to around 6.5.
This is standard, because it works. If you try to piecemeal it, you will have a nightmare. Just get a ph meter lol.
Thanks @SJ1 . I think you’ve finally convinced me to get over my cheapness and buy something. I know I’ve asked before (on other threads) but do you or others (@Smokey101 ) have recommendations of a relatively cheap, easy to use meter? Again, as mentioned in other threads, I’m pretty color blind so it needs to be not dependent on distinguishing colors (like a swimming pool chemistry kit) . That is a digital readout or needle that points to the number would be much preferred. I’m guessing they all need to be calibrated?
Here’s one (that I think I discovered from another thread): Amazon.com
Everyone thinks when starting out it’s as easy as growing a houseplant. Which on one hand it is. On the other, if you want it to produce good “fruits” then you have to give it what it needs. Which is intense light, the right environment, and the right foods etc.
Anyway this is the pen I got. I was told those supercheap ones on amazon are not reliable. Can’t say for sure as I never used them.
I used aquarium drop testing when I started to check PH. Like you I was having problems with the colors. You can call me crazy:crazy_face: , but I got a 6 stage RO system from Walmart for less than $200. The water is 6.2 PH and another plus side it’s safe to drink…might be better for your family as well than city…and it’s easy to install.
Seems like a lot I know but if you think about the long run buying PH adjustment , distilled and bottled water you would end up saving money.
Google translated @Maks response as: “А может быть банальным переливом причем постоянным, растение бледное.” = “Or it could be a banal overflow and a constant one, the plant is pale.”
Now I’m wondering what “banal overflow” is :). My guess would be “water overflow”, i.e. too much water.
I am trying to wait until the soil is quite dry each time before watering.
Thanks for all the responses everyone!
@Papakat420 you got a link for the RO system for < $200? I’ve never seen them that cheap. I have been thinking (for years now), I should get a whole house water filter for an entirely different reason… Our hard, alkaline water gums appliances, faucets, etc. with its buildup of “salts” or “minerals” or whatever the heck the appropriate term is.
