Can't figure it out, HELP

Hey guys, I've been getting info from this website for a while and you guys are great! I built my own box and I've been having lots of troubles. They grow decent until they get to a certain point and then they sort of get droopy and brown spots and bottom leaves dry. I've talked to feed a few different people and heard many different things, like nutrient deficiencies, heat stress, pH problems. I've tried to correct some of these issues but I just really cannot figure it out… Please help me! NEED H

Looks like Magnesium to me probably a result of bad PH.

Canninoobis said:

Looks like Magnesium to me probably a result of bad PH.

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Thank you, when is the best time to check pH? Do I check my water or my nutes or my runoff from the bottom on my pot?

I check both in and out. Checking it from the runoff isn't very accurate but you can atleast get a picture of what your soil PH is. PH going in should always be between 6.5 and 7.0. That's all you should really be worrying about. I'm guessing your runoff is probably going to be more acidic (low 5's). DO NOT FLUSH YOUR PLANT. Keep your regular watering schedule. Oh and keep all dead leaves out of your pots man. Should only be soil in there. You are just gonna attract bugs leaving that crap in there.

Actually.... after zooming in on your pic, I noticed your new growth is already taking damage. What are you feeding her for nutes? What do your stems look like? Looking purplish?

Looks like you might be over watering too, soil looks very damp.

Kcbscrogger said:

Looks like you might be over watering too, soil looks very damp.

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Agreed. The perlite is a weird color too which is why I asked about nutes.

Canninoobis said:

I check both in and out. Checking it from the runoff isn't very accurate but you can atleast get a picture of what your soil PH is. PH going in should always be between 6.5 and 7.0. That's all you should really be worrying about. I'm guessing your runoff is probably going to be more acidic (low 5's). DO NOT FLUSH YOUR PLANT. Keep your regular watering schedule. Oh and keep all dead leaves out of your pots man. Should only be soil in there. You are just gonna attract bugs leaving that crap in there.

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Don't flush? You don't think its a nutrient lock up or anything? Ok, no leaves. Thank you.

Kcbscrogger said:

Looks like you might be over watering too, soil looks very damp.

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I went to my garden supply shop yesterday to ask some questions, and show them some pictures. The guy there's telling me that the pots I am using are too big, and to use smaller pots until it gets like a foot or more tall. But in the last couple grows that I had, my plant stopped growing and I couldn't figure out why so I pulled a couple out and they were root bound to shit. But they were about this height, so I'm not sure what to do? What do you think. What he said makes sense though because I think that the bottom half of my pots is still soaked, while the top half dries out so then I think it is watering time and I water it. Maybe the plant is not big enough to use a pocket full of water that big. So maybe that's why it looks like I'm overwatering. Does that make sense or no?

Is that a 5 gallon? I think it's fine for that size of plant. Best way to test if a plant needs water is to lift the pot. If it feels heavy at all it means you still have moisture in the bottom. I normally let my plants almost go to wilt before i water them. What type of nutes are you running and how much? Also how often do you water?

Canninoobis said:

Is that a 5 gallon? I think it's fine for that size of plant. Best way to test if a plant needs water is to lift the pot. If it feels heavy at all it means you still have moisture in the bottom. I normally let my plants almost go to wilt before i water them. What type of nutes are you running and how much? Also how often do you water?

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I water every 2 to 4 days, whenever it's dry up to my first knuckle. That's what I was told to do. I completely forgot about feeling the weight of the pots! And now that I think about it my first grow was more successful and I was doing that. Right now I'm running greenhouse seed company powder feed and just following the directions, I've tried giving it a little less before too but it didn't make a difference

TMTWiwannahavebluntz4dayz said:

I water every 2 to 4 days, whenever it's dry up to my first knuckle. That's what I was told to do. I completely forgot about feeling the weight of the pots! And now that I think about it my first grow was more successful and I was doing that. Right now I'm running greenhouse seed company powder feed and just following the directions, I've tried giving it a little less before too but it didn't make a difference

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I used to do the knuckle test too but some soil just drains way better than others. I always feel the weight of the pot now.... I'd go really light on the nutes and maybe purchase some cal/mag. Stuff does wonders. I add 1 tspn with every feed now and never have any issues.

Canninoobis said:

I used to do the knuckle test too but some soil just drains way better than others. I always feel the weight of the pot now.... I'd go really light on the nutes and maybe purchase some cal/mag. Stuff does wonders. I add 1 tspn with every feed now and never have any issues.

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Just with the feed? Not with the water? And how often should I be feeding, I've heard so many different things

I put it in my feed. Depending on your soil you shouldn't really need to feed them nutrients yet. I start at around 4 weeks. Try holding back on all the water. Every 2-4 days is too much for a plant that young. My plants now are being watered every 4 days and they are significantly larger than yours in the same size pot. You'd be surprised how long your plant can go without watering.

Canninoobis said:

I put it in my feed. Depending on your soil you shouldn't really need to feed them nutrients yet. I start at around 4 weeks. Try holding back on all the water. Every 2-4 days is too much for a plant that young. My plants now are being watered every 4 days View attachment 3623694 and they are significantly larger than yours in the same size pot. You'd be surprised how long your plant can go without watering.

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OK thanks man I appreciate it, I'll try water and less and giving less Nutes. How old are yours?

Have you checked the roots on that plant? I have a tiny plant that doesnt want to grow at all. I repotted yesterday and the roots only took up the first 3 inches of a 7inch or so pot. Below that was just a wet mess. Plus the roots it did have didnt look happy. The perlite looked the same on mine so might be from too much water not enough roots causing rot? Im no pro just a thought

backyardwarrior said:

Have you checked the roots on that plant? I have a tiny plant that doesnt want to grow at all. I repotted yesterday and the roots only took up the first 3 inches of a 7inch or so pot. Below that was just a wet mess. Plus the roots it did have didnt look happy. The perlite looked the same on mine so might be from too much water not enough roots causing rot? Im no pro just a thought

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Haven't yet but I will now, thanks

I shoulda took pics when i repotted. After seeing the roots i wondered how it was even alive better yet descently healthy looking besides suuuuper slow growth

backyardwarrior said:

I shoulda took pics when i repotted. After seeing the roots i wondered how it was even alive better yet descently healthy looking besides suuuuper slow growth

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So I can't pull my plant out and look, it's too stiff and I don't want to fuck it up. But I can see roots coming out the bottom holes so I think the roots must be penetrating The complete depth of soil

Bigger pot then?