Leaves are drooping

J

johnsharp

Member
I am using the following grow box, http://hydroponicsgroup.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=23.

I had these plants under T-5's for the first two weeks and I just moved the plants to the large grow space and the large hydro set up.
It continually drips through the grey straws into my medium. The medium is really wet but I suppose that is the correct method? Not sure about that, I thought it should be dry to some extent.

I used 1/5th of the recommended dosage for Fox Farm nutrients in the solution.

But they seem to be drooping right in front of my eyes.

They were all standing up and proud when I made the transfer. They are in rapid rooters. Should I only use the rapid rooters and the rocks. I worry about using the rapid rooters and then putting them on top of the rock wool. Doesn't this make it really difficult for the roots to grow down?
 

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J

johnsharp

Member
This drip part of the system has been running since I moved the plants into this chamber. But should I only be running the drip aspect a half an hour a day? Could this be the problem?
 
lordjin

lordjin

Well-Known Member
They're just waterlogged. Your cubes are too wet. They should be moist but not soaking.

Don't continually drip on those. That's what's causing the droop. Is your drip on a timer? I'd say wet it for a few minutes like every three hours. but let it dry a bit before you re-start any drip cycle.

Edit:
If you were worried about the rockwool being an obstacle to your roots, why did you plant them on top of them? It shouldn't be a major concern, but if the roots haven't penetrated it yet, I would take them out and just bury that rapid rooter in pellets.

Edit2:
And watch your ph. Those rapid rooters suck for clone regenerating.
 
J

johnsharp

Member
Thanks a bunch, I didnt have the concern until after the leaves started drooping and then I began second guessing myself.

I am going to do exactly as suggested.

Do you recommend I absolutely change from the rockwool to the pellets or should the rockwool be fine once I sort out the drip.

lordjin said:
They're just waterlogged. Your cubes are too wet. They should be moist but not soaking.

Don't continually drip on those. That's what's causing the droop. Is your drip on a timer? I'd say wet it for a few minutes like every three hours. but let it dry a bit before you re-start any drip cycle.

Edit:
If you were worried about the rockwool being an obstacle to your roots, why did you plant them on top of them? It shouldn't be a major concern, but if the roots haven't penetrated it yet, I would take them out and just bury that rapid rooter in pellets.

Edit2:
And watch your ph. Those rapid rooters suck for clone regenerating.
Click to expand...
 
lordjin

lordjin

Well-Known Member
johnsharp said:
Thanks a bunch, I didnt have the concern until after the leaves started drooping and then I began second guessing myself.

I am going to do exactly as suggested.

Do you recommend I absolutely change from the rockwool to the pellets or should the rockwool be fine once I sort out the drip.
Click to expand...
How long since you plugged those rapid rooters into the rockwool cubes? I wouldn't want you to pull one and shock it to death if the roots have already penetrated.

But here's the thing with rockwool. It's intended as a base plug to start your roots (like the rapid rooter plug). Plants can be grown in the rockwool as a medium, but it's better suited as a starter core surrounded by hydroton pellets. The rockwool is dense and holds a lot of water, while a collection of hydroton drains really well and has many air pockets... while retaining just the right amount of moisture.
 
J

johnsharp

Member
They had only been there less than 24 hours, I just made the switch. They drooped immediately even more. I will leave it alone and check in the morning.
 
lordjin

lordjin

Well-Known Member
johnsharp said:
They had only been there less than 24 hours, I just made the switch. They drooped immediately even more. I will leave it alone and check in the morning.
Click to expand...
If they haven't been in there that long, it might be okay to gently pull them and plant the rooters in pebbles. If you can pull it off without damaging anything, the plants will do better with the pellets. Make sure any pellets you use are rinsed and ph'd at 5.5-6.0.
 
L

lancs

Member
johnsharp said:
I am using the following grow box, http://hydroponicsgroup.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=23.

I had these plants under T-5's for the first two weeks and I just moved the plants to the large grow space and the large hydro set up.
It continually drips through the grey straws into my medium. The medium is really wet but I suppose that is the correct method? Not sure about that, I thought it should be dry to some extent.

I used 1/5th of the recommended dosage for Fox Farm nutrients in the solution.

But they seem to be drooping right in front of my eyes.

They were all standing up and proud when I made the transfer. They are in rapid rooters. Should I only use the rapid rooters and the rocks. I worry about using the rapid rooters and then putting them on top of the rock wool. Doesn't this make it really difficult for the roots to grow down?
Click to expand...

thats a basic simple overwatering example
 
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