Only this one strain I have gets this problem help!

Ok I haven't grown out this strain in a while (it's unknown bag seed) but it really kicks ass, smells like lemon/citrus really strong and pepper sometimes really super stinky strong smell. Very nice indica effects.

But, it always has this problem around the end of week five, best I've been able to figure out is maybe leaf septosis? None of the other strains I've got going in the same tent ever have any problems. I guess this strain is just sensitive to something in my environment? I did a thorough cleaning of my grow area, and didn't have this issue for a long time (but only with other strains) and decided to give this one another go (I have multiple seeds that she made through rodelization). And sure enough same thing, end of week five flower and overnight it seems one of the fan leaves did this and was starting to curl upwards. Can anyone identify what this might be? As you can see for now the plant looks super healthy I think. All my other plants in the same tent will be fine I'm sure because it's done this before. Don't think it's bugs, have never seen a single one. Any advice appreciated!! It's only at the top, but will spread if I don't pick off the whole leaf which kinda sucks...

Oops here are the other photos, flowers, front/back...

Well, I think I figured out the problem finally. PH was too low, around 5.9. So probably a calcium deficiency caused by improper PH? Flushed it, watered with proper PH of 6.4 or so, and the problem has stopped! Just FYI...

hawse said:

Well, I think I figured out the problem finally. PH was too low, around 5.9. So probably a calcium deficiency caused by improper PH? Flushed it, watered with proper PH of 6.4 or so, and the problem has stopped! Just FYI...

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It always interest be when growers state a pH number and then says "or so". Following along, good luck!

Beachwalker said:

It always interest be when growers state a pH number and then says "or so". Following along, good luck!

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Ha ha, thanks, yeah I said that because I usually have multiple gallon jugs for watering and ph to a range usually of anywhere from 6.3 to 6.6 or so... based on how much of a hurry I'm in...

FWIW I did notice this issue only happened to the leaves at the top that were closest to the lights... Could it also maybe have been a little nutrient burn which also could have been made worse by bad PH?

hawse said:

FWIW I did notice this issue only happened to the leaves at the top that were closest to the lights... Could it also maybe have been a little nutrient burn which also could have been made worse by bad PH?

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What kind of lights and how high are they over the canopy?

Two 300 watt Viparspectra LED's, 14 inches or so above the canopy (been thinking that's too close maybe)

hard to see anything in the pic of the plant with colored lights on..only thing evident is you have a touch bit too much nitrogen. You havent yet mentioned what you are growing in exactly, and what you've been feeding up to now and how much. Those spotted leaves are not signs of a nutrient burn at all. It can be calcium for sure, if at the top of the plant and moving down. What kind of water do you use? As for ph 6.3 or 6.6 and 5.9...those are big differences depending on what your medium is! 5.9 is 7 times more acidic than 6.6!
Also..the manner in which you got these seeds, becareful, as those seeds will have a higher tendency to produce hermies!

OK yeah I still don't think i quite understand how to read my plants then regarding ph. I have read that you should use a range, so I usually try and ph to 6.5, but sometimes do 6.3 sometime 6.7, is this a bad idea? The 5.9 is what my runnoff was after using 6.8 water... It's just tap water. Soil is half Ocean Forest mixed with half Happy Frog, three gallon smart pots. This kind of problem could be caused by ph fluctuation?

I have been using fox farm trio about half strength, but very little grow big, probably haven't used any of that in two weeks (I'm in week six flower now). Here's maybe a better pic with the lights off and flash: You can see where the damage was done on the left cola (they are getting big and need to be propped up)... The smell is freaking fantastic though... Smells like dank lemon candy...

hawse said:

Ha ha, thanks, yeah I said that because I usually have multiple gallon jugs for watering and ph to a range usually of anywhere from 6.3 to 6.6 or so... based on how much of a hurry I'm in...

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.. you said it a again!

Not "a range", a range is for more experienced growers who can read their plants and know to adjust it up or down a bit, and know why they are doing it. Starting out best to keep 6.5 steady for best results.

Also best to use your nutrients according to manufacturers directions for properly balanced plant nutrition, start at 50% strength, adjust as needed, good luck amigo!

Beachwalker said:

.. you said it a again!

Not "a range", a range is for more experienced growers who can read their plants and know to adjust it up or down a bit, and know why they are doing it. Starting out best to keep 6.5 steady for best results, good luck amigo!

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Ok I think that's great advice and will start doing that... I've never really known what number to pick!

I assume the basic idea is that if your ph is off, you need to look at an absorption/ph chart and see if the deficiency showing on the leaves matches what is not being absorbed (i.e. the fix would be fix the ph first before adding nutes?) So in my case, ph was low which could cause calcium deficiency right? This sort of looks like one to me based on pictures... But I needed to fix the ph, not add calcium, especially since I'm using tap water, right?

Also thanks to all for the help!

I don't grow in soil but considering that you're in flowering and the purple hue to your leaves I would guess phosphorus deficiency?

hawse said:

Ok I think that's great advice and will start doing that... I've never really known what number to pick!

I assume the basic idea is that if your ph is off, you need to look at an absorption/ph chart and see if the deficiency showing on the leaves matches what is not being absorbed (i.e. the fix would be fix the ph first before adding nutes?) So in my case, ph was low which could cause calcium deficiency right? This sort of looks like one to me based on pictures... But I needed to fix the ph, not add calcium, especially since I'm using tap water, right?

Also thanks to all for the help!

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Its a bit of a better pic yes. The issue is very minor, and yes, it can be a slight calcium issue starting, but i wouldn't worry too much. Depending on the quality of your tap water, you may need to add a touch cal-mag. You definitely don't have a phosphorus issue based on the pic! Cut back on the nitrogen though! As for ph, yes, you need to make sure that is in range first before you start dumping food in or flushing. For your medium, you're best off keeping waterings in the low 6's..meaning between 6-6.3 is ideal. You can go a touch lower even to 5.8, but it's that window you are looking for where most nutrients are available (5.8-6.3). I don't think your issue would have been caused by low ph..as if it was the case, then at this stage, you would be seeing magnesium related issues as well.

Hmm, yeah, this darn strain is so problematic... It does hermie from time to time too as someone mentioned above... But since we're on the subject, maybe someone can recommend a better known strain that I could grow that is similar? Problem is, I've only ordered seeds twice, and the second time they were intercepted so I want to lay low for a while...

But does anyone know of a similar strain? Indica dom, smells and tastes really strong of sweet lemon with a tiny hint of pepper, just a hint of diesel maybe. Makes me very relaxed and sleepy, incredible body buzz... I've heard of Tangie before and thought that might be similar...

hawse said:

Hmm, yeah, this darn strain is so problematic... It does hermie from time to time too as someone mentioned above... But since we're on the subject, maybe someone can recommend a better known strain that I could grow that is similar? Problem is, I've only ordered seeds twice, and the second time they were intercepted so I want to lay low for a while...

But does anyone know of a similar strain? Indica dom, smells and tastes really strong of sweet lemon with a tiny hint of pepper, just a hint of diesel maybe. Makes me very relaxed and sleepy, incredible body buzz... I've heard of Tangie before and thought that might be similar...

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The issue may not be the strain, it's the manner in which you are 'creating' the seeds! To stress her out so she self-pollinates..well you're seeds that are produced will carry that same trait..so chances they will hermie are very good, since they come from a hermie'd mother
As for recommedations..you don't know what you are growing..there are literally dozens of strains that have those smells and are indicas.

I would treat it for cal-mag if it were me. Add some epsom salt to your water.

Blitz35 said:

The issue may not be the strain, it's the manner in which you are 'creating' the seeds! To stress her out so she self-pollinates..well you're seeds that are produced will carry that same trait..so chances they will hermie are very good, since they come from a hermie'd mother
As for recommedations..you don't know what you are growing..there are literally dozens of strains that have those smells and are indicas.

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Not really. If you have a stable mother, the traits will be stable. Stress does not change the genetics. Most of our "great" strains come from hermies.

hawse said:

Hmm, yeah, this darn strain is so problematic... It does hermie from time to time too as someone mentioned above... But since we're on the subject, maybe someone can recommend a better known strain that I could grow that is similar? Problem is, I've only ordered seeds twice, and the second time they were intercepted so I want to lay low for a while...

But does anyone know of a similar strain? Indica dom, smells and tastes really strong of sweet lemon with a tiny hint of pepper, just a hint of diesel maybe. Makes me very relaxed and sleepy, incredible body buzz... I've heard of Tangie before and thought that might be similar...

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If you like the black pepper check 8-Ball Kush from Barney's Farm, more like black pepper and hashish but I guess there's a little lemon in there too, I'm not so good at flavor type descriptions if I'm honest but you can believe the black pepper is real! It's one of my favorite overall smokes

althor said:

Not really. If you have a stable mother, the traits will be stable. Stress does not change the genetics. Most of our "great" strains come from hermies.

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It's not just genetic dependent. If a female produces pollen to self-pollinate, then the seeds of that plant, will be 50/50 in most cases as to whether they grow properly, or turn hermied. You can have a 'strong' family genetic..everyone lives to be a hundred, but if suddenly 2 siblings or cousins in that family reproduce with each other..suddenly you have a possible genetic mutation, and the offspring will not be in the same kind of health as the rest of the 'properly' produced members of that family. Yes, some our great strains were produced by hermies, but not in one instance..it took years of breeding and cross-breeding back and forth to make said seed, stable.