I'm in a bit of a bind..

[bobj1598]

So the ladies have forced my hand. I had to break down and buy the fertilizer I really didn't want to. BUT I HAD NO CHOICE, the nitro deficiency is strong.

I went out and got this fertilizer https://www.promixgardening.com/en/product/detail/promix-organic-multi-purpose-granular-garden-fertilizer-7-3-3

for this problem (see attached photo)

It's OMRI listed, all organic materials, however, is there a chance I can add too much to my soil and burn it? I'm going on about day 2 or day 3 of having noticed this problem, leaves are now wilting and getting more yellow. I added some into the top mix, but I also have some sitting in a bowl of water breaking down for 24 hours to be added for immediate nutrition (1/4 cup granular fertilizer in 1L of water). I need to get this into my soil STAT. What's a safe way to administer it? I can add it as soon as the beginning of my next light cycle, tomorrow morning @ 6am.

 

[myke]

If that was fresh dirt what makes you think its a deficiency ?

 

[GroBud]

Agree those plants are too small/young if in soil to have depleted nutrients. If it's a organic base soil are you phing water? If in soil if you are unsure of issue or conditions always start by checking medium. Check ph to make sure the mediums ph is at a level suitable for nutrient uptake. Check medium ppms to see if there's food or none available for plants. Checking medium conditions helps eliminate or confirm causes.

 

[bobj1598]

If that was fresh dirt what makes you think its a deficiency ?

It was fresh dirt. Well, seed starting mix, to be specific.

And the reason I'm sure it's a nitrogen deficiency is because nothing has been added to it, and the leaves are yellowing from the bottom up, opposed to yellowing from the top down, which might signal light burn.

 

[bobj1598]

Agree those plants are too small/young if in soil to have depleted nutrients. If it's a organic base soil are you phing water? If in soil if you are unsure of issue or conditions always start by checking medium. Check ph to make sure the mediums ph is at a level suitable for nutrient uptake. Check medium ppms to see if there's food or none available for plants. Checking medium conditions helps eliminate or confirm causes.

Not Ph'ing anything, not yet. I should prob go get a PH testing kit. Will any PH test do?

 

[GroBud]

It was fresh dirt. Well, seed starting mix, to be specific.

And the reason I'm sure it's a nitrogen deficiency is because nothing has been added to it, and the leaves are yellowing from the bottom up, opposed to yellowing from the top down, which might signal light burn.

Several things can cause nitrogen deficiency pot doesn't have to be depleted of nitrogen to show nitrogen deficiency. Only way that pot was out of nutrients is if you were flooding the pot out every watering. I start often in pots half the size of solo cups usually for 3 to 4 wks before deficiencies start. Any will do a expensive blue lab will come calibrated and stay calibrated for years. No need to ph organic soil just making sure that wasnt what you were doing hindering soil nutrient ph availability

 

[bobj1598]

Several things can cause nitrogen deficiency pot doesn't have to be depleted of nitrogen to show nitrogen deficiency. Only way that pot was out of nutrients is if you were flooding the pot out every watering. I start often in pots half the size of solo cups usually for 3 to 4 wks before deficiencies start. Any will do a expensive blue lab will come calibrated and stay calibrated for years. No need to ph organic soil just making sure that wasnt what you were doing hindering soil nutrient ph availability

I did that once, but there wasn't any run off. But the soil did get a heavy soaking.

I prefer test strips, as the digital pens can be .01 inaccurate sometimes (so I've read).

 

[GroBud]

I did that once, but there wasn't any run off. But the soil did get a heavy soaking.

I prefer test strips, as the digital pens can be .01 inaccurate sometimes (so I've read).

You think .01 matters? Personal preference tho dont know any growers besides beginners who use strips over pens.

 

[bobj1598]

You think .01 matters? Personal preference tho dont know any growers besides beginners who use strips over pens.

Again, it was what I read. Just trying to get the most out of my gardening.

I've never before tested for pH. Don't know what I'm doing. Would this kit work? https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/root-farm-ph-test-kit-1590129p.html I'm not putting any chemical solution into my plants am I? Because I don't want any chems near them

 

[Budzbuddha]

Again, it was what I read. Just trying to get the most out of my gardening.

I've never before tested for pH. Don't know what I'm doing. Would this kit work? https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/root-farm-ph-test-kit-1590129p.html I'm not putting any chemical solution into my plants am I? Because I don't want any chems near them

Hate to break to you - your medium - your “ water “ has chemicals regardless of what you might think.

 

[GroBud]

Idk never used a test kit I just get a sample and stick my pens in sample. Reason I asked about ph is because phing a soil with a already neutral ph can lower that ph even more causing deficiencies. You weren't phing that isnt the issue I wouldnt think. Plants have everything they need from their seed case for the first 2 weeks of life round about. Your plants aren't a month old yet? Correct so they couldn't have used the 2 week casing food plus all the nutrients supplied within soil. Using granular feed with water that will need to be ph. Dry amendments are slow released and dont feed plants but feed the rhizosphere. Any liquid nutrient is readily available for plant consumption and does need to be ph

 

[GroBud]

Hate to break to you - your medium - your “ water “ has chemicals regardless of what you might think.

This makes more sense

 

[bobj1598]

Hate to break to you - your medium - your “ water “ has chemicals regardless of what you might think.

I know this, which is why I'm opting to refrain from using any additional chemicals in my medium.

 

[bobj1598]

Idk never used a test kit I just get a sample and stick my pens in sample. Reason I asked about ph is because phing a soil with a already neutral ph can lower that ph even more causing deficiencies. You weren't phing that isnt the issue I wouldnt think. Plants have everything they need from their seed case for the first 2 weeks of life round about. Your plants aren't a month old yet? Correct so they couldn't have used the 2 week casing food plus all the nutrients supplied within soil. Using granular feed with water that will need to be ph. Dry amendments are slow released and dont feed plants but feed the rhizosphere. Any liquid nutrient is readily available for plant consumption and does need to be ph

So if I was to purchase a $13 pH testing pen, you're saying it'll give me accurate measurements of my soil pH? I'd prefer to have a $100 pH testing pen, but I cannot afford that right now which is why I'm willing to opt for test strips. I should think a pack of $10-$20 test strips would be more accurate/reliable than a $10 made in CHINA device wouldn't it?

 

[GroBud]

So if I was to purchase a $13 pH testing pen, you're saying it'll give me accurate measurements of my soil pH? I'd prefer to have a $100 pH testing pen, but I cannot afford that right now which is why I'm willing to opt for test strips. I should think a pack of $10-$20 test strips would be more accurate/reliable than a $10 made in CHINA device wouldn't it?

If you think cheap stuff works get it, you'll find out sooner or later it's best to just get the better brands. Growing weed isnt cheap, cheaper than buying constantly but it's still expensive. Wish I had all the money back I spent on cheap products before I understood what I actually needed and why. I've probably spent over double attempting to save money vs just getting the good shit.

 

[weedstoner420]

You might just be overwatering...too much water can throw things off nutritionally too...but...if you want a fast-acting source of nitrogen that is also organic, you can find this at home depot: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Alaska-32-oz-1-qt-Liquid-Fish-Emulsion-Fertilizer-5-1-1-100099247/100131259

 

[bobj1598]

Growing weed isnt cheap,

ROFL my wallet found this one out the hard way haha

What about this pH device? Is this designed for soil? https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09FK73QKC/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?pd_rd_i=B09FK73QKC&pd_rd_w=mgnDM&content-id=amzn1.sym.c7dca932-da6a-44fc-af09-cc68d2449b34&pf_rd_p=c7dca932-da6a-44fc-af09-cc68d2449b34&pf_rd_r=MHAM7ZCGCE3DAGBJ4FBV&pd_rd_wg=sCsoe&pd_rd_r=dc68e7fa-5869-4af8-a53b-989491bab965&s=industrial&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExM0tUOUFJOURHVklIJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTQ5Mzk5MVgzRVk4STg2MUJUSCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTI3Nzc1MU5EMFkxQTFWODUwWSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

 

[xtsho]

I water plants in soil from seed to finish with tap water thats treated to 8.2 pH and ranges between 7.4 to 8.4. I've never pH'd my water in decades of growing.

You said the plants are in seed starting mix. Most of that is just peat, perlite, and vermiculite without anything else. Those plants are hungry. Give them some food. Fiddling around worrying about a pH meter isn't going to do anything. And if you're trying to grow organic in soil you don't need one anyway. pH is not your issue.

 

[bobj1598]

I water plants in soil from seed to finish with tap water thats treated to 8.2 pH and ranges between 7.4 to 8.4. I've never pH'd my water in decades of growing.

You said the plants are in seed starting mix. Most of that is just peat, perlite, and vermiculite without anything else. Those plants are hungry. Give them some food. Fiddling around worrying about a pH meter isn't going to do anything. And if you're trying to grow organic in soil you don't need one anyway. pH is not your issue.

I'm a first time grower, so please pardon my ignorance. Everything I'm using or intend to use has an organic materials sticker slapped on it. My seed starting mix, the soil I'll be transplanting into, my fertilizer(s).

That said, I amended my top soil with some of the granular fertilizer I bought, I then put 1/4 of a cup into a litre of water to sit out for 24 hours to be added into my soil for almost immediate nutrition. Is there any chance whatsoever that I can add too much or 'burn' my plants if or when I add to my soil? The stuff I added onto my soil doesn't seem to have had any effect as of yet.

 

[xtsho]

I'm a first time grower, so please pardon my ignorance. Everything I'm using or intend to use has an organic materials sticker slapped on it. My seed starting mix, the soil I'll be transplanting into, my fertilizer(s).

That said, I amended my top soil with some of the granular fertilizer I bought, I then put 1/4 of a cup into a litre of water to sit out for 24 hours to be added into my soil for almost immediate nutrition. Is there any chance whatsoever that I can add too much or 'burn' my plants if or when I add to my soil? The stuff I added onto my soil doesn't seem to have had any effect as of yet.

Yes you can burn your plants if you add too much. Granular fertilizer like you used is not going to have an immediate effect. It could take some time. Also, be careful dissolving that granular fertilizer in water and using it that way. You could easily fry your plants.

I'm assuming that you're planning on transplanting those plants into bigger pots of something other than seedling starter mix. If so just do it now. If you plant them into some decent soil that will take care of things for now. It doesn't make sense to fool around top dressing plants in small containers of seedling mix. Get them into something so they can grow.

Good luck.