Alexander Supertramp
Well-Known Member
Using citric acid as your pH down will help with sodium build up. It is a bit more spending than some other pH downs but in your case it may be worth it.....
Fox farm nutes, What could be wrong?
- Thread starter learning05
- Start date
learning05
Active Member
So my plants are on the way to being recovered (or I hope). All three of them are growing daily and the new growth looks better. Together they have been drinking on average a gallon per day. I only have the res filled with 6 gal for the three plants. I have been topping it off daily with plain water bc the ppm doesn't seem to decrease much but the new growth seems fine. I got the cal mag and used it. It has seem to have help them recover and continue growing. I do a foliar spray 10 min before the lights go out with 1/4 tsp of cal mag mixed with a liter of spring water. I change the res every 5 days now and use the tap water conditioner at 1-2 drops for the 6 gallons.
I am concerned about how much water they are supposed to drink. Is a gallon/day for all three normal - for a cfl grow especially?
I have put them on 12/12 two weeks ago and the tall female has bud sites all over the horizontal branches but not many on the tall center stalk. And one of the plants has displayed only one pair of pistils near the new growth and nowhere else. The third plant hasn't shown its sex as yet. I am not sure what else I can do? Is this common?
I was thinking of maybe adding this 85w CFL 2700K but I am not sure if it is worth it? As of now, I have only one 85w 2700k and three smaller watt 2700k bulbs. Also one 85w 6500k which I move around for a dual spectrum. I want there to be a decent yield.
Also I am having a weird issue with my ph pen. All of the sudden, it keeps un-calibrating itself. I adjust it using a 7.0 solution then test a sample of my res water in a cup and then test the res directly and the readings are different. Also if I place the pen back into the calibration solution after it is suddenly +/- .3 .
I haven't gotten it wet besides the probe area. Could low battery cause this? What is the best way to measure the ph in dwc - any thoughts?
I am concerned about how much water they are supposed to drink. Is a gallon/day for all three normal - for a cfl grow especially?
I have put them on 12/12 two weeks ago and the tall female has bud sites all over the horizontal branches but not many on the tall center stalk. And one of the plants has displayed only one pair of pistils near the new growth and nowhere else. The third plant hasn't shown its sex as yet. I am not sure what else I can do? Is this common?
I was thinking of maybe adding this 85w CFL 2700K but I am not sure if it is worth it? As of now, I have only one 85w 2700k and three smaller watt 2700k bulbs. Also one 85w 6500k which I move around for a dual spectrum. I want there to be a decent yield.
Also I am having a weird issue with my ph pen. All of the sudden, it keeps un-calibrating itself. I adjust it using a 7.0 solution then test a sample of my res water in a cup and then test the res directly and the readings are different. Also if I place the pen back into the calibration solution after it is suddenly +/- .3 .
I haven't gotten it wet besides the probe area. Could low battery cause this? What is the best way to measure the ph in dwc - any thoughts?
RetiredMatthebrute
Well-Known Member
not sure about the PH pen but as far as how much they are drinking, they will drink more and more gradually as they go. they will drink what they need so i wouldnt concern yourself with it. if the water levels are decreasing and the PPM are staying the same that means they are uptaking nutrients. if they werent the PPM's would rise as the water levels fell.
learning05
Active Member
I think those are the N-P-K numbers for FF's Big Bloom. If I understand correctly they are essentially micro nutes. The TIGER BLOOM is FF "bloom" base nutes with higher P then N. Their Grow Big has a higher N and lower P. They have additional supps which they recommend for the different stages of growth but I don't use any of the additives. Just the trio base with some cal mag + for now.
learning05
Active Member
- I think I see a pistil coming out of the shortest-3rd one. If it turns out being female that will be AMAZING making all three females.
For $50 with shipping- I am thinking of getting:
- One 105w 2700K mogul cfl with 60 lumens per watt
- A reducer adapter to make the mogul (e28 ) fit my standard medium (e26) base.
- Two adapters which split a single standard socket into to two.
In total, I should have a 85w 2700k, a 105w 2700k, 2 40w 2700K. Also one 85w 6500k and two smaller watt 6500K bulbs. I figure I place them around the bud sites in hopes the dual spectrum will increase yield/potency. Is that too much light?
I am still getting a little browning on the tips of the new growth. And even after adding 3 tsp of cal-mag plus/6 gal, there appears to be a magnesium issue. I have also been foliar spraying 10 min before the lights turn off with 1/4 tsp cal-mag plus mixed into a 1.2 liters of water.
Majority of the yellow washout is from the 2700k bulbs. Without the lights very little yellow is visible. I can't seem to get a decent picture any other way. I guess, I may have to turn off all the lights besides the one 85w 6500k to get a clearer picture...but anyways here they are. Please let me know if you see something wrong or anything of concern!!
These two were on the left of the 85w 2700K cfl. They are not yellow as they appear but the "slight beige-brownish" spots are there. What could be causing that?
No clue why this keeps uploading upside-down:
Is my humidifier being so close to the plant bad thing? These leaves are right above it
RetiredMatthebrute
Well-Known Member
all the money you have spent on CFL's you could have bought a HID
http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Electronic-Dimmable-Reflector-Hydroponic/dp/B00521B894/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1367447239&sr=8-3&keywords=apollo+600w
i use these ballasts and they work great.
http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Electronic-Dimmable-Reflector-Hydroponic/dp/B00521B894/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1367447239&sr=8-3&keywords=apollo+600w
i use these ballasts and they work great.
learning05
Active Member
I was saying the same thing to myself earlier today! But the problem was I didn't have enough money at the time and had cfls from my last grow. But I realized I should have waited and invested instead.
This is what I currently have on: one 85w (3000k-4200 lumens), two 18 watt (2700k-900 lumens each), and one 25 watt (2700k-1600 lumens). I decided to go with two 42 w 2700K instead. Saved me some money and will allow me to position it around the budsites. Was doing the math and thinking, wow that isn't much its only 7600 lumens and may not even be because of penetration factors...
My grow-closet is 3.5 ft wide and 2.5 ft deep.
For my next grow I am planning on selling the cfls on ebay and getting something similar to the combo you posted.
GandalfdaGreen
Well-Known Member
Any chance your pH is off and creating a mag problem? It may not be a deficiency but a lockout. It looks it. I use FF also.
learning05
Active Member
I have been checking the ph twice a day and adjust it only once. I keep it in between the 5.7-6.1 range. Isn't that the recommended range for hydro? OR am I not putting enough mag? I have only added 3 tsp of cal mag plus to my 6 gal but the directions say to do 1 tsp/gallon.
How do you know how much of tiger bloom or big grow to use? I have used other nutes in my last grow in which the grow (veg) nutes were separate from the bloom (flower) nutes. With FF they say mix both. So my question is how do you know the right ratio of tiger bloom to grow big?
I know flowering stage requires more P than N and my cal mag plus has N in it. But I would love to know if there is a suggested ratio for the weeks of the plant or is it something you just experiment with?
How do you know how much of tiger bloom or big grow to use? I have used other nutes in my last grow in which the grow (veg) nutes were separate from the bloom (flower) nutes. With FF they say mix both. So my question is how do you know the right ratio of tiger bloom to grow big?
I know flowering stage requires more P than N and my cal mag plus has N in it. But I would love to know if there is a suggested ratio for the weeks of the plant or is it something you just experiment with?
mrCRC420
Well-Known Member
All your plants will want different levels of water; learn to read their signs. Crispy and drooping with dry soil vs heavy and drooping with high humidity and moist soil... There's no formula. Speaking of which, I bet you and 70% of your friends don't drink enough water. Everybody go "high-drate"
RetiredMatthebrute
Well-Known Member
well since its a hydro unit.....people should read when they comment
learning05
Active Member
How can ph pen be bad if it reads 7.0 on my calibration solution? There is still a problem that I haven't solved because the yellow patches are appearing on the leaves with brown tip but some of the saw-blade edges don't have any browning?
For those who didn't read the rest:
I am doing hydro
Using FF trio nutes
Switched to 12/12 about 3 weeks ago.
Have three females of unknown strain started from seed
Had a nute burn issue earlier but I flushed and they seem to be growing but there is a problem that hasn't been solved.
PPM is at 480 right now with 140 coming from my tap water. (The analysis of the water content has been posted)
RH= 30-40%
Temp= 72-79 F with lights on and drops to a 70 with the lights off door closed.
Res temp= 68-73 F (Rarely gets as high as 75)
Ph Range (People have said this looks like the problem) I keep it between 5.5-6.1 and have only had to adjust it down once daily.
Since I haven't been pouring water through the rockwool/hydroton could this be causing some of these issues? The 6-gal water level is 3-4 inches away from the netpot so some of the root mass exiting the netpot doesn't get as wet. Does that matter?
Need solutions any guesses?
For those who didn't read the rest:
I am doing hydro
Using FF trio nutes
Switched to 12/12 about 3 weeks ago.
Have three females of unknown strain started from seed
Had a nute burn issue earlier but I flushed and they seem to be growing but there is a problem that hasn't been solved.
PPM is at 480 right now with 140 coming from my tap water. (The analysis of the water content has been posted)
RH= 30-40%
Temp= 72-79 F with lights on and drops to a 70 with the lights off door closed.
Res temp= 68-73 F (Rarely gets as high as 75)
Ph Range (People have said this looks like the problem) I keep it between 5.5-6.1 and have only had to adjust it down once daily.
Since I haven't been pouring water through the rockwool/hydroton could this be causing some of these issues? The 6-gal water level is 3-4 inches away from the netpot so some of the root mass exiting the netpot doesn't get as wet. Does that matter?
Need solutions any guesses?
learning05
Active Member
gotta give some credit for effort. Appreciate the thought tho lol.
RetiredMatthebrute
Well-Known Member
eh, unfortunatly i see people do this way to much on here. No one should be giving advice without reading through the thread first, its a sure way to screw someone up and possibly make matters worse. People just look at the pictures and assume they know the whole story.
i see you have been by my thread, thanks for stopping in....should have some harvest pics up by end of weekend.
RetiredMatthebrute
Well-Known Member
and looking at the chart and your pics looks like either a N deficiency or a Zink deficiency..
what exactly does your Cal Mag have in it?
have you tried a product like this?
http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Nutrients-Micro-1-Liter/dp/B001GBVLT6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1367577377&sr=8-4&keywords=micro+nutrients
this is a 5-0-1 so it will contain Zink and Nitrogen.......wont hurt to give it a shot and its only 16 bucks...
as far as my experience i havent used it but Advanced is a fairly well known name in this hobby.
if your calibrating your pen and checking PH then you should be fine....check the PH of a glass of whole milk..should be between 6.5-6.7 if its not your meter may be messed up and causing the issues.
what exactly does your Cal Mag have in it?
have you tried a product like this?
http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Nutrients-Micro-1-Liter/dp/B001GBVLT6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1367577377&sr=8-4&keywords=micro+nutrients
this is a 5-0-1 so it will contain Zink and Nitrogen.......wont hurt to give it a shot and its only 16 bucks...
as far as my experience i havent used it but Advanced is a fairly well known name in this hobby.
if your calibrating your pen and checking PH then you should be fine....check the PH of a glass of whole milk..should be between 6.5-6.7 if its not your meter may be messed up and causing the issues.
learning05
Active Member
Botanicare Cal-Mag Plus is a 2-0-0 (NPK). Here is what it contains:
No I haven't tried Advanced Nutrients as yet. I got the FF HYDRO trio which has zinc in it.
Here are the amounts/ingredients for each of the Fox Farm Trio Nutrients -start-
Big Bloom (.01-.3-.7) with Earthworm Casting and Bat Guano
(Micro)
- Total Nitrogen (N) = .01%
-.002% Ammoniacal Nitrogen
-.001% Nitrate Nitrogen
-.005% Other Water Soluble Nitrogen
-.002% Water Insoluble Nitrogen
- Available Phosphate (P205) = .3%
- Soluble Potash (K2O) = .7%
Derived From: Earthworm Casting, Bat and Seabird Guano, Rock Phosphate, Sulfate of Potash Magnesia, Norwegian Kelp
Tiger Bloom (2-8-4)
(Bloom)
- Total Nitrogen (N) = 2%
- 0.10% Ammoniacal Nitrogen
- 1.90% Nitrate Nitrogen
- Available Phosphate (P205) = 8.0%
- Soluble Potash (K2O) = 4%
-.5% Water Soluble Magnesium (Mg)
- Boron (B)= .02%
- Copper (Cu)= .05% (Chelated)
- Iron (Fe)= .12% (Chelated)
- Manganese (Mn)= .06% (Chelated)
- Zinc (Zn)= .05% (Chelated)
Here is an image of a Older Tiger Bloom Label. Mine doesn't have Calcium or Molybdenum.
Grow Big (3-2-6)
(Grow/Veg)
- Total Nitrogen (N) = 3%
- 0.15% Ammoniacal Nitrogen
- 2.85% Nitrate Nitrogen
- Available Phosphate (P205) = 2%
- Soluble Potash (K2O) = 6%
- Calcium (Ca)= 2%
- Magnesium (Mg)= .5% Water Soluble
- Boron (B)= .02%
- Copper (Cu)= .05% (Chelated)
- Iron (Fe)= .10% (Chelated)
- Manganese (Mn)= .05% (Chelated)
- Zinc (Zn)= .05% (Chelated)
-end-
Both Grow Big and Tiger Bloom seem to have a little zinc in it. As of now my res is filled with:
- 6 gallons of tap water at 140 ppm
- 4 tsp of Cal-Mag Plus
- 3 tsp of Tiger Bloom
- 1 tsp of Grow Big (Since the cal-mag had Nitrogen I didn't want to put too much at one time so I may add 1/4 tsp of big grow when I add plain water to top it off back to 6-gals)
- 1 Tablespoon of Big Bloom
- I also added 1 tsp of 3% hydrogen peroxide as a preventative.
In total my ppm is at 590 with 140 from the water so 450. It is about 100 ppm higher than my last res change. I will top off with plain water until I see the ppm drop.
I've got 1% so I will buy some whole milk today. Ill get back with the update
RetiredMatthebrute
Well-Known Member
also sounds like you could be bringing the PPM up slightly. check your PH meter foirst and if thats dead on then i think it would be safe to raise the PPM to around 800, they may be on 12/12 right now but they still using lots of N for preflower stretch.
learning05
Active Member
I added a 1/2 tsp of Grow Big which has 3% N. ^Forgot to get the milk (going to do that right now). BUT from looking at these deficiency pictures, my plants look similar to FIGURE D images in the K and Mg pictures; Figure A of the N deficiency picture (there is some red on some of my steams but as little dots); and Figure B in the Zn deficiency image. So being in the 3rd week of 12/12 with a ppm of 600 - 140 (water) = 460. I will try to raise the ppms but as of now could they be deficient in all four of these or under-fed. What about the rockwool- could that be causing anything? Thoughts?
fig D: View attachment 2644303 Fig D: View attachment 2644305 Fig A: View attachment 2644312Fig B:
What should I do? The dead growth looks very ugly and I am all out of ideas...WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
fig D: View attachment 2644303 Fig D: View attachment 2644305 Fig A: View attachment 2644312Fig B:
What should I do? The dead growth looks very ugly and I am all out of ideas...WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
