Could this be a Zinc Deficiency?

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the community and a new grower.

I switched my plants to 12/12 last week to switch to flower. This week, I notice that my usually happy green plants have an unusual discolouration.

Having scoured previous posts in the forums, the closest image i could find demonstrated a zinc deficiency. But I'm unconvinced.

I grow in Rockwool so I checked the run off. The ph had jumped up to 7.0. I didn't see that coming!
So, thought it might be wise to mix a new nutrient solution.

I'm using General Hydroponics' Flora series. My solution's EC is now 1.5 (was at 1.9) with a pH of 6.

Would you recommend keeping it as it is, or is there further action I could take?

I should also include that I drip irrigate these lovely ladies. They get two minutes of solution at 7am, Midday and 5pm. Lights on at 6am - Lights out at 6pm. I use rain water for my solution which has an Ec of 0.1. I include calmag in my mix at a ratio of 0.5mL/Litre. But honestly can't remember if I included calmag in my last mix....which now makes me question if this is a Cal deficiency.

Still ... I'd appreciate any thoughts.
 

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chemphlegm

Well-Known Member
MORE ZINC! HOORAY!
I actually don't know how to answer this.
exactly! me neither. some will tell you to add more zinc of course, or epsom, or cal mag. I'll share that I have never been able to correct a flowering plant issue with the addition of more nutrients/additives/bottles. Knowing I always have the perfect amount of everything I need the only time I am with issue is when I try a suggestion I find here, like cal mag, sulphurs, potassiums, pk, etc. otherwise a perfect finish every time. If there is a deficiency showing in my plants I fucked up feeding/watering, never been too little either, always too much.
I would remove ill leaves, follow directions on the bottle, but try water only for a couple times first, then resume feed.
I would also change up my nutrients, but thats just me
 

Borgarden

Well-Known Member
From my experience if a plant is lacking something due to underfeeding it will show it fairly quickly. If it comes on slowly sometimes with other symptoms beforehand usually it's there in the soil but it can't take it in due to an unbalanced ph. Like the other guy I've never been able to correct a problem by adding MORE stuff. I usually just flush and start adding nutes again bit by bit and It's never failed.
 

Los Reefersaurus

Well-Known Member
You've done well to dump and reload your rez. Just keep a closer eye on your ph and ppms, cut off the offending bits and pretend everything is normal. Looks like over fert and light burn to me you should be fine now.
 

chemphlegm

Well-Known Member
Change up my nutrients, as in the brand? Or the ratios?
for ratios I wouldnt use it any differently than advised on the bottles. In hydro I would move on to some more aggressive lines like advanced nutrients etc. I havent used a line that failed, even GH, as long as my environment was right and I followed instructions.
 
You've done well to dump and reload your rez. Just keep a closer eye on your ph and ppms, cut off the offending bits and pretend everything is normal. Looks like over fert and light burn to me you should be fine now.
Light burn, eh? I hadn't considered that. These girls have shot up a little recently and they were dancing quite close to my lights. (3000K LED) I raised the lights to accomodate, but didn't consider light burn. If this discolouration could be due to over fert, would you suggest it's wise to reduce the drip feeds from three times a day to one or two? As a new grower, I'm open and welcoming of any advice.
 
for ratios I wouldnt use it any differently than advised on the bottles. In hydro I would move on to some more aggressive lines like advanced nutrients etc. I havent used a line that failed, even GH, as long as my environment was right and I followed instructions.
Thanks so much for taking the time to offer your experience. I appreciate it.
 

Los Reefersaurus

Well-Known Member
Light burn, eh? I hadn't considered that. These girls have shot up a little recently and they were dancing quite close to my lights. (3000K LED) I raised the lights to accomodate, but didn't consider light burn. If this discolouration could be due to over fert, would you suggest it's wise to reduce the drip feeds from three times a day to one or two? As a new grower, I'm open and welcoming of any advice.
I cant tell you how often to feed, just use your finger and also lift the pots to feel the weight and water accordingly. Remember weed like to have dry feet so let it dry out sometimes, and by that I mean mostly dry not scorched desert dry
 

im4satori

Well-Known Member
Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the community and a new grower.

I switched my plants to 12/12 last week to switch to flower. This week, I notice that my usually happy green plants have an unusual discolouration.

Having scoured previous posts in the forums, the closest image i could find demonstrated a zinc deficiency. But I'm unconvinced.

I grow in Rockwool so I checked the run off. The ph had jumped up to 7.0. I didn't see that coming!
So, thought it might be wise to mix a new nutrient solution.

I'm using General Hydroponics' Flora series. My solution's EC is now 1.5 (was at 1.9) with a pH of 6.

Would you recommend keeping it as it is, or is there further action I could take?

I should also include that I drip irrigate these lovely ladies. They get two minutes of solution at 7am, Midday and 5pm. Lights on at 6am - Lights out at 6pm. I use rain water for my solution which has an Ec of 0.1. I include calmag in my mix at a ratio of 0.5mL/Litre. But honestly can't remember if I included calmag in my last mix....which now makes me question if this is a Cal deficiency.

Still ... I'd appreciate any thoughts.
that has nothing to do with zinc for sure

zinc looks like yellow banding in the top growth
plus at EC1.5 theres plenty of zinc in the GH 3part

its not likely your def at EC of 1.5 and you said it was as high as EC1.9 that's really high for rockwool drip

I think your over fertilizing and maybe out of balance

how are you mixing the 3 part mls per 1 us gallon (4 litres)

also tell which bottles you have

so far you have the grow, micro, bloom calmag,

do you also have the liquid Kool bloom// you don't need it just wondering if you already own it
 
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that has nothing to do with zinc for sure

zinc looks like yellow banding in the top growth
plus at EC1.5 theres plenty of zinc in the GH 3part

its not likely your def at EC of 1.5 and you said it was as high as EC1.9 that's really high for rockwool drip

I think your over fertilizing and maybe out of balance

how are you mixing the 3 part mls per 1 us gallon (4 litres)

also tell which bottles you have

so far you have the grow, micro, bloom calmag,

do you also have the liquid Kool bloom// you don't need it just wondering if you already own it
At the moment, I'm only using grow, micro, bloom & calmag. The rez is 100litres and I've added the nutrients based on the ratios specified by GH's charts and adjusted to keep the EC to 1.5.

I'll keep and eye on both the pH and EC and adjust accordingly.

I really appreciate all your help, everyone.
I'll be sure to share the love to future newbies when I've gained my green thumbs.

Peace.
 

im4satori

Well-Known Member
GH 3part

full strength per gallon

bloom
6mls grow
3mls micro
6mls bloom
5mls calmag

grow
7.5 mls grow
5mls micro
2.5mls bloom
2mls calmag
1/4 tsp Epsom salt



if your mixing more than this your over feeding them
 

im4satori

Well-Known Member
those a perfectly balanced mixes using the GH3part with a proper amount of calcium and magnesium to prevent errorin the cation between them and potassium

you don't need the koolbloom really

compare that to how your currently mixing ??
 
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