Pot Plant Problems, a Visual Guide

potpimp

Sector 5 Moderator
Heat Stress


Look closely, and you'll see the brown leaf edges that are indicative of heat stress. This damage looks a lot like nutrient burn, except it occurs only at the tops of the plants closest to the lamps. There's only one cure for this...get the heat away from the plants, either by moving the lamps or moving the plants.
View attachment 1900063magnesium def.jpg
Figure 1


There's a good chance that this plant was subjected to nutrient solution burn. These symptoms are seen when the EC concentration of hydroponic solutions is too high. These symptoms also appear when strong nutrient solution is splashed onto the leaves under hot HID lamps, causing the leaves to burn under the solution.

Figure 2
Many hydroponic gardeners see this problem. It's the beginning of nutrient burn. It indicates that the plants have all the nutrients they can possibly use, and there's a slight excess. Back off the concentration of the nutrient solution just a touch, and the problem should disappear. Note that if the plants never get any worse than this here, then the plants are probably just fine.​
Figure 3
Figure 4 is definitely nute burn. The high level of nutrients accumulates in the leaves and causes them to dry out and burn up as shown here. You must flush with clear, clean water immediately to allow the roots to recover, and prevent further damage. Cannabis can get by with too little nutrients better than too much. Too little and they just slow their growth; too much and they can die quickly.


Figure 4
Over Watering

Your plants should only need watering every 3 days or so if you are growing in soil or a soil mix. You should use your finger to test to see that the soil has completely dried out before watering. It is better to give too little water than too much. Too little water shows by drooping leaves.

Figure 5


Both of these leaves in figure 3 and figure 4 are from the same plant. It could be over fertilization, but more likely it is due to the pH being off. Too high or too low a pH can lock up nutrients in the form of undissolved salts and compounds, some of which are actually toxic to the plants. What then happens is the grower tries to supplement the plants diet by adding more fertilizers, throwing off the pH even more and locking up even more nutrients. This type of problem is seen more often in soil mixes, where inconsistent mixing of the medium's components leads to "hot" spots.

Figure 6
Figure 7
Ozone damage typically found near the generator. Although a rare problem, symptoms generally appear as a Mg deficiency, but the symptoms are localized to immediately around the generator.

Figure 8
Root stunting is characteristic of calcium deficiency, acidity, aluminum toxicity, and copper toxicity. Some species may also show it when boron deficient. The shortened roots become thickened, the laterals become stubby, peg-like, and the whole system often discolors, brown or grey.


New shoots unopened; young leaves distorted; dead leaf tips; pale green plant = copper deficiency
New shoots withered or dead; petiole or stem collapse; shoots stunted; green plant = calcium deficiency
Young leaves pale green or yellow; rosetting or dead tip; die back; dark green plant = boron deficiency


Mobile elements are more likely to exhibit visual deficiencies in the older leaves, because during demand these elements will be exported to the new growth.


Nitrate - Ammonium is found in both inorganic and organic forms in the plant, and combines with carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and sometimes sulfur to form amino acids, amino enzymes, nucleic acids, chlorophyll, alkaloids, and purine bases. Nitrogen rates high as molecular weight proteins in plant tissue.
Plants need lots of N during vegging, but it's easy to overdo it. Added too much? Flush the soil with plain water. Soluble nitrogen (especially nitrate) is the form that's the most quickly available to the roots, while insoluble N (like urea) first needs to be broken down by microbes in the soil before the roots can absorb it. Avoid excessive ammonium nitrogen, which can interfere with other nutrients. Too much N delays flowering. Plants should be allowed to become N-deficient late in flowering for best flavor.

Nitrogen Deficiencies
Plants will exhibit lack of vigor, slow growth and will be weak and stunted. Quality and yield will be significantly reduced. Older leaves become yellow (chlorotic) from lack of chlorophyll. Deficient plants will exhibit uniform light green to yellow on older leaves, these leaves may die and drop. Leaf margins will not curled up noticeably. Chlorosis will eventually spread throughout the plant. Stems, petioles and lower leaf surfaces may turn purple.


Figure 9
As seen in figure 10 consumption of nitrogen (N) from the fan leaves during the final phase of flowing is normal but can be lessened by the addition of N.

Figure 10

Leaves are often dark green and in the early stages abundant with foliage. If excess is severe, leaves will dry and begin to fall off. Root system will remain under developed or deteriorate after time. Fruit and flower set will be inhibited or deformed.
With breakdown of vascular tissue restricting water uptake. Stress resistance is drastically diminished.


Phosphorus is a component of certain enzymes and proteins, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), ribonucleic acids (RNA), deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) and phytin. ATP is involved in various energy transfer reactions, and RNA and DNA are components of genetic information.
Figure 11 is severe phosphorus (P) deficiency during flowering. Fan leaves are dark green or red/purple, and may turn yellow. Leaves may curl under, go brown and die. Small-formed buds are another main symptom.
Phosphorus deficiencies exhibit slow growing, weak and stunted plants with dark green or purple pigmentation in older leaves and stems.
Some deficiency during flowering is normal, but too much shouldn't be tolerated. Red petioles and stems are a normal, genetic characteristic for many varieties, plus it can also be a co-symptom of N, K, and Mg-deficiencies, so red stems are not a foolproof sign of P-deficiency. Too much P can lead to iron deficiency.
Purpling: accumulation of anthocyanin pigments; causes an overall dark green color with a purple, red, or blue tint, and is the common sign of phosphate deficiency. Some plant species and varieties respond to phosphate deficiency by yellowing instead of purpling. Purpling is natural to some healthy ornamentals.

Figure 11
Figure 12 shows Phosphorus (P) deficiency during vegatative growth. Many people mistaken this for a fungus, but look for the damage to occur near the end of leave, and leaves the color dull greyish with a very brittle texture.

Figure 12

This condition is rare and usually buffered by pH limitations. Excess phosphorus can interfere with the availability and stability of copper and zinc.


Potassium is involved in maintaining the water status of the plant and the tugor pressure of it's cells and the opening and closing of the stomata. Potassium is required in the accumulation and translocation of carbohydrates. Lack of potassium will reduce yield and quality.

Older leaves are initially chlorotic but soon develop dark necrotic lesions (dead tissue). First apparent on the tips and margins of the leaves. Stem and branches may become weak and easily broken, the plant may also stretch. The plant will become susceptible to disease and toxicity. In addition to appearing to look like iron deficiency, the tips of the leaves curl and the edges burn and die.
Potassium - Too much sodium (Na) displaces K, causing a K deficiency. Sources of high salinity are: baking soda (sodium bicarbonate "pH-up"), too much manure, and the use of water-softening filters (which should not be used). If the problem is Na, flush the soil. K can get locked up from too much Ca or ammonium nitrogen, and possibly cold weather.

Figure 13
Figure 14

Usually not absorbed excessively by plants. Excess potassium can aggravate the uptake of magnesium, manganese, zinc and iron and effect the availability of calcium.


Magnesium is a component of the chlorophyll molecule and serves as a co-factor in most enzymes.

Magnesium deficiency will exhibit a yellowing (which may turn brown) and interveinal chlorosis beginning in the older leaves. The older leaves will be the first to develop interveinal chlorosis. Starting at leaf margin or tip and progressing inward between the veins. Notice how the veins remain somewhat green though as can be seen in figure 15.
Notice how in Figure 16 and 17 the leaves curl upwards like they're praying? They're praying for Mg! The tips may also twist.
This can be quickly resolved by watering with 1 tablespoon Epsom salts/gallon of water. Until you can correct nutrient lockout, try foliar feeding. That way the plants get all the nitrogen and Mg they need. The plants can be foliar feed at ½ teaspoon/quart of Epsom salts (first powdered and dissolved in some hot water). When mixing up soil, use 2 teaspoon dolomite lime per gallon of soil.
If the starting water is above 200 ppm, that is pretty hard water, that will lock out mg with all of the calcium in the water. Either add a 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of epsom salts or lime (both will effectively reduce the lockout or invest into a reverse osmosis water filter.
Mg can get locked-up by too much Ca, Cl or ammonium nitrogen. Don't overdo Mg or you'll lock up other nutrients.
magnesium def.jpg

Figure 15
Figure 16
Figure 17

Magnesium toxicity is rare and not generally exhibited visibly. Extreme high levels will antagonize other ions in the nutrient solution.


Zinc plays a roll in the same enzyme functions as manganese and magnesium. More than eighty enzymes contain tightly bound zinc essential for their function. Zinc participates in chlorophyll formation and helps prevent chlorophyll destruction. Carbonic anhydrate has been found to be specifically activated by zinc.

Deficiencies appear as chlorosis in the interveinal areas of new leaves producing a banding appearance as seen in figure 18. This may be accompany reduction of leaf size and a shortening between internodes. Leaf margins are often distorted or wrinkled. Branch terminals of fruit will die back in severe cases.
Also gets locked out due to high pH. Zn, Fe, and Mn deficiencies often occur together, and are usually from a high pH. Don't overdo the micro-nutrients- lower the pH if that's the problem so the nutrients become available. Foliar feed if the plant looks real bad. Use chelated zinc. Zinc deficiency produces "little leaf" in many species, especially woody ones; the younger leaves are distinctly smaller than normal. Zinc deficiency may also produce "rosetting"; the stem fails to elongate behind the growing tip, so that the terminal leaves become tightly bunched.


Figure 18

Excess Zinc is extremely toxic and will cause rapid death. Excess zinc interferes with iron causing chlorosis from iron deficiency. Excess will cause sensitive plants to become chlorotic.


Immobile elements will show their first symptoms on younger leaves and progress to the whole plant.


Sulfate is involved in protein synthesis and is part of the amino acids, cystine and thiamine, which are the building blocks of proteins. It is active in the structure and metabolism in the plant. It is essential for respiration and the synthesis and breakdown of fatty acids.

The initial symptoms are the yellowing of the entire leaf including veins usually starting with the younger leaves. Leaf tips may yellow and curl downward. Sulfur deficiencies are light green fruit or younger leaves with a lack of succulence. Elongated roots and woody stem. Although it's hard to see in figure 19, the upper stems of this plant are purple. Although many varieties of cannabis do get purplish stems, the trait generally extends the entire length of the plant's stem, and not just near the top as in this specimen.

Figure 19

Leaf size will be reduced and overall growth will be stunted. Leaves yellowing or scorched at edges. Excess may cause early senescence.


Calcium plays an important role in maintaining cell integrity and membrane permeability.

Young leaves are affected first and become small and distorted or chlorotic with irregular margins, spotting or necrotic areas. Bud development is inhibited, blossom end rot and internal decay may also occur and root may be under developed or die back. Deficiency will cause root tip die-back, leaf tip curl and marginal necrosis and chlorosis primarily in younger leaves. Symptoms: young leaves develop chlorosis and distortion such as crinkling, dwarfing, developing a strap-like shape, shoots stop growing and thicken.

Difficult to distinguish visually. May precipitate with sulfur in solution and cause clouding or residue in tank. Excess calcium may produce deficiencies in magnesium and potassium.


Iron is an important component of plant enzyme systems for electron transport to carry electrons during photosynthesis and terminal respiration. It is a catalyst for chlorophyll production and is required for nitrate and sulfate reduction and assimilation.

Pronounced interveinal chlorosis similar to that caused by magnesium deficiency but on the younger leaves.
Leaves exhibit chlorosis (yellowing) of the leaves mainly between the veins, starting with the lower and middle leaves.
Caused by factors that interfere with iron absorption of roots: over irrigation, excessive soluble salts, inadequate drainage, pests, high substrate pH, or nematodes. This is easily corrected by adding an iron supplement with the next watering.
Fe is unavailable to plants when the pH of the water or soil is too high. If deficient, lower the pH to about 6.5 (for rock wool, about 5.7), and check that you're not adding too much P, which can lock up Fe. Use iron that's chelated for maximum availability. Read your fertilizer's ingredients - chelated iron might read something like "iron EDTA". To much Fe without adding enough P can cause a P-deficiency.
Note that when adding iron to the solution, it is often necessary to not use fertilizer for that watering. Iron has a tendency of reacting with many of the components of fertilizer solutions, and will cause nutrient lockup to occur. Read the labels of both the iron supplement and the fertilizer you are using before you attempt to combine the two.

Figure 20

Excess accumulation is rare but could cause bronzing or tiny brown spots on leaf surface.


Manganese is involved in the oxidation reduction process in the photosynthetic electron transport system. Biochemical research shows that this element plays a structural role in the chloroplast membrane system, and also activates numerous enzymes.

Interveinal chlorosis of younger leaves, necrotic lesions and leaf shredding are typical symptom of this deficiency. High levels can cause uneven distribution of chlorophyll resulting in blotchy appearance. Restricted growth and failure to mature normally can also result.
Mn gets locked out when the pH is too high, and when there's too much iron. Use chelated Mn.

Toxicity:Chlorosis, or blotchy leaf tissue due to insufficient chlorophyll synthesis. Growth rate will slow and vigor will decline.


Chloride is involved in the evolution of oxygen in the photosynthesis process and is essential for cell division in roots and leaves. Chlorine raises the cell osmotic pressure and affects stomata regulation and increases the hydration of plant tissue. Levels less than 140 ppm are safe for most plants. Chloride sensitive plants may experience tip or marginal leaf burn at concentrations above 20 ppm.

Wilted chlorotic leaves become bronze in color. Roots become stunted and thickened near tips. Plants with chlorine deficiencies will be pale and suffer wilting.

Burning of leaf tip or margins. Bronzing, yellowing and leaf splitting. Reduced leaf size and lower growth rate.


Boron biochemical functions are yet uncertain, but evidence suggests it is involved in the synthesis of one of the bases for nucleic acid (RNA uracil) formation. It may also be involved in some cellular activities such as division, differentiation, maturation and respiration. It is associated with pollen germination.

Plants deficient in boron exhibit brittle abnormal growth at shoot tips and one of the earliest symptoms is failure of root tips to elongate normally. Stem and root apical meristems often die. Root tips often become swollen and discolored. Internal tissues may rot and become host to fungal disease. Leaves show various symptoms which include drying, thickening, distorting, wilting, and chlorotic or necrotic spotting.

Yellowing of leaf tip followed by necrosis of the leaves beginning at tips or margins and progressing inward before leaves die and prematurely fall off. Some plants are especially sensitive to boron accumulation.

Copper is a constituent of many enzymes and proteins. Assists in carbohydrate metabolism, nitrogen fixation and in the process of oxygen reduction.

Symptoms of deficiency are a reduced or stunted growth with a distortion of the younger leaves and growth tip die-back. Young leaves often become dark green and twisted. They may die back or just exhibit necrotic spots. Growth and yield will be deficient as well.

Copper is required in very small amounts and readily becomes toxic in solution culture if not carefully controlled. Excess values will induce iron deficiency. Root growth will be suppressed followed by symptoms of iron chlorosis, stunting, reduced branching, abnormal darkening and thickening of roots.

Molybdenum is a component of two major enzyme systems involved in the nitrate reeducates, this is the process of conversion of nitrate to ammonium.

Often interveinal chlorosis which occurs first on older leaves, then progressing to the entire plant. Developing severely twisted younger leaves which eventually die. Molybdenum deficiencies frequently resemble nitrogen, with older leaves chlorotic with rolled margins and stunted growth.

Excess may cause discoloration of leaves depending on plant species. This condition is rare but could occur from accumulation by continuous application. Used by the plant in very small quantities. Excess mostly usually does not effect the plant, however the consumption of high levels by grazing animals can pose problems so she might not be too good to smoke.

Sodium seems to encourage crop yields and in specific cases it acts as a protective agent against various toxic salts. It may act as a partial substitute for potassium deficiencies. Excess may cause plant toxicity or induce deficiencies of other elements. If sodium predominates in the solution calcium and magnesium may be affected.

Silicon usually exists in solution as silicic acid and is absorbed in this form. It accumulates as hydrated amorphous silica most abundantly in walls of epidermal cells, but also in primary and secondary walls of other cells. It is largely available in soils and is found in water as well. Inadequate amounts of silicon can reduce tomato yields as much as 50%, cause new leaves to be deformed and inhibit fruit set. At this time toxicity symptoms are undetermined.

Cobalt is essential to many beneficial bacteria that are involved in nitrogen fixation of legumes. It is a component of vitamin B12 which is essential to most animals and possibly in plants. Reports suggest that it may be involved with enzymes needed to form aromatic compounds. Otherwise, it is not understood fully as to its benefit to plant growth, but it is considered essential to some animal health issues.
 

goten

Well-Known Member
Now if people will read through first to see whats wrong maybe it will cut down on questions thats been asked 1,000 x over lol

Rep
 

potpimp

Sector 5 Moderator
lol i saw that site somewhere on the net
Yep, I is in another forum on here but has no pix. It's also on another site but with a lot of errors. I fixed all the errors, bad spelling, different size fonts, missing picture numbers, etc. I spent a couple of hours getting the bugs worked out and posting. This does need to be stickied; I'll talk to the boss.
 

dragnit

Well-Known Member
Yep you guys got it right, if we could just get all the answers in book form we could just stop all those stupid questions everybody asks and just get rid of all these silly forums. Sorry I just couldn't help myself.
 

Rj41

Well-Known Member
Yep, I is in another forum on here but has no pix. It's also on another site but with a lot of errors. I fixed all the errors, bad spelling, different size fonts, missing picture numbers, etc. I spent a couple of hours getting the bugs worked out and posting. This does need to be stickied; I'll talk to the boss.
PP, that's cool that you took the time to do this.

Shouldn't this be in the plant problems section with the other one(s) though?
It might be easier to find there, should somebody want to take a look at it or save a copy on their computer.

EDIT: Hey, wait a minute......... was this a joke?
I just went back and started reading it and it's all Eff'd up.

Dude, you need to proof read before posting shit like this.
That thing needs to be corrected or deleted.
 

potpimp

Sector 5 Moderator
PP, that's cool that you took the time to do this.

Shouldn't this be in the plant problems section with the other one(s) though?
It might be easier to find there, should somebody want to take a look at it or save a copy on their computer.

EDIT: Hey, wait a minute......... was this a joke?
I just went back and started reading it and it's all Eff'd up.

Dude, you need to proof read before posting shit like this.
That thing needs to be corrected or deleted.
There is one like it (or close) in the "Plant Problems" forum but it doesn't have any pix. That's as useless as tits on a boar hog without pix.

I don't see anything that needs correcting. I spent quite a bit of time doing that already and it looks good; maybe it's a browser issue. If something is wrong I can edit it.
 

o0adam0o

Well-Known Member
This is the old guide from whats left of the overgrow site and i dont think the pics are as helpful as they could be. I would love to see a new one created by RIU members. Over the time ive spent here i reckon ive seen better examples of each deficiancy posted by the members here and I myself have had some better pics. Like, what the shit is that figure 20 pic? straight out of the 80's by the looks of it. We could all make a much better guide than this i reckon. Sorry if that seems a bit trolly and i dont mean to have a go at the original poster, this very guide has helped me overcome a couple of problems, I would just like to see RIU update it.
Peace
 

potpimp

Sector 5 Moderator
This is the old guide from whats left of the overgrow site and i dont think the pics are as helpful as they could be. I would love to see a new one created by RIU members. Over the time ive spent here i reckon ive seen better examples of each deficiancy posted by the members here and I myself have had some better pics. Like, what the shit is that figure 20 pic? straight out of the 80's by the looks of it. We could all make a much better guide than this i reckon. Sorry if that seems a bit trolly and i dont mean to have a go at the original poster, this very guide has helped me overcome a couple of problems, I would just like to see RIU update it.
Peace
No offense taken Adam and I totally agree. I'll work on it but it might take some time. I agree that the pix really suck. :)
 

Rj41

Well-Known Member
<snip> If something is wrong I can edit it.
I only got part way through it.
but if you look here:

There's a good chance that this bud was subjected to nutrient solution burn
-- what bud?

The plants in Figure 1 were on a continous drip system
Huh? Which one?

Don't be thrown off by the fact that the plants in Figure 2 are sitting in still water
I think you mean figure 5.

Both of these leaves in figure 3 and figure 4
Maybe 6 and 7?

That's as far as I got.


 

potpimp

Sector 5 Moderator
I only got part way through it.
but if you look here:

There's a good chance that this bud was subjected to nutrient solution burn
-- what bud?

The plants in Figure 1 were on a continous drip system
Huh? Which one?

Don't be thrown off by the fact that the plants in Figure 2 are sitting in still water
I think you mean figure 5.

Both of these leaves in figure 3 and figure 4
Maybe 6 and 7?

That's as far as I got.


Thanks RJ; I corrected the parts you pointed out and a few more. I just skimmed over this before starting to work on it. It seems that this same set, with the same explanations is all over the net. I'll be working on collecting some good pix and coming up with my own explanations. Thanks for the help!
 

Rj41

Well-Known Member
Sorry to come off sounding like a dick.
When i went back to edit it i was like PHUCK, you already quoted it.
 

Chiceh

Global Mod, Stoner Chic
This used be in the old growfaqs and yes all over the net. Way to go for taking the job on of updating it. :D
 

potpimp

Sector 5 Moderator
Sorry to come off sounding like a dick.
When i went back to edit it i was like PHUCK, you already quoted it.
No, you came across just fine. I knew you were not trolling and I really appreciate the input. One thing I don't want to do is give out bad info here. BTW, I have a photo of an LED; how many lbs do you think I can get if I use that as my light? :)
 

lime73

Weed Modifier
Very good post + rep , just hope that people will take the time to read the info....that's provided here.
 

potpimp

Sector 5 Moderator
Thanks Lime!!! I hope so too. It should help eliminate a lot of the same old questions every newbie asks. If we could just teach them to use the search feature, LOL.
 
Top