Potash levels extremely low throughout.

Doing soil tests on our plants last night and we discovered that our Potash levels on all plants are extremely low (thanks to those who suggested that was the problem.). I'm using Tiger Farm Grow Big, Tiger Bloom and Big Blossom, with Open Sesame Bud Setter. All our stems on our plants are turning (turned) purple. Its not a temperature and our PH is practically perfect. Are there potash stakes out there? Ya know like the Nitro sticks I see at all the nurseries for trees?. Or does this purple look like it should be there? PH is 6.9, we're in soil, and our temp is usually 76-78, 55% humidity, under a 1000Wt Merc Vap bulb.

USMC_PotOphile said:

Doing soil tests on our plants last night and we discovered that our Potash levels on all plants are extremely low (thanks to those who suggested that was the problem.). I'm using Tiger Farm Grow Big, Tiger Bloom and Big Blossom, with Open Sesame Bud Setter. All our stems on our plants are turning (turned) purple. Its not a temperature and our PH is practically perfect. Are there potash stakes out there? Ya know like the Nitro sticks I see at all the nurseries for trees?. Or does this purple look like it should be there? PH is 6.9, we're in soil, and our temp is usually 76-78, 55% humidity, under a 1000Wt Merc Vap bulb.

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Ummmm, Mercury Vapor Bulb? Surely you mean High Pressure Sodium? What soil tests did you do that showed low Potassium levels? The Potassium level is probably low in the soil because the plant is using large quantities of it which need replacing. Also purple stems is not a sign of Potassium deficiency it's a 'possible' sign of Phosphorus deficiency but it can also be a 'genetic' trait.

From the picture, your plant looks very healthy, what are you concerned about specifically? The purple stems?

aren't mercury vapor lamps simliar to metal halide?? i've never paid them much attention because everyone says hps or mh and thats that...

lumberjack_ian said:

aren't mercury vapor lamps simliar to metal halide?? i've never paid them much attention because everyone says hps or mh and thats that...

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It's similar in the sense that it's a member of the same High Intensity Discharge group of lamps that also includes High Pressure Sodium and Metal Halide, but not similar in the sense that you can grow plants with it - it doesn't output the correct colour spectrum for growing plants.

Mercury vapor or MV lights were used many years ago in indoor grows.They would be closer to mh lighting but dont have the true color or lumnes output for the energy they use.The purple stems are fine most plants get that.In rare cases a purple stem in conjunction with other signs could indicate an issue but the plant looks healthy and fine so relaxe enjoy the expirence and keep on doing as you are looks fine right now good luck

haha ok.... like i said i've never looked into them much, just remember seeing them in with hps and mh on some sites (which i guess makes sense now)

his plant seems to be doing fairly well then with improper lighting spectrum.

the purple streaked stalk shows up in lots of different varieties, generally nothing to worry about unless it becomes more prevalent, i'd think

babygro said:

but not similar in the sense that you can grow plants with it - it doesn't output the correct colour spectrum for growing plants.

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This is what I have heard... MH, MV, and HPS can and are used to grow plants. Each light puts off a different spectrum of light. Red's and Yellow's (HPS) are best for flowering. Blues (MH and MV) are best for Veg. No one uses MV anymore cuz they don't create the amount of light/lumens desired for the amount of energy they use. However the MV bulb is cheaper in the stores, and I can't really complain about it too much when someone just gives me the bulb for free. I do have a 1000wt HPS but we're gonna continue to use both until I can get 2 sun-agro's (spelling?). But for now the HPS is over the flowering girls, and the MV is above the Veggers.