What's wrong with these plants?

SmerkedOut

Well-Known Member
It looks like water on the leaves (light burn). Could be something else like a fungus or pest. But, I don't think it's a deficiency or anything ph related.

I've had ph swings cause bleached square blocks. It was more white or cream, and more like pigment loss. See these pics. (<< link) Yours looks more burned and round. The leaf on the left doesn't quite fit the beading of water, but it could have been a wet edge.
Yeah, that's probably it. I bet I got some water drops on the leaves when I watered, and that burned them like you said. So this will correct itself over time?
 

az2000

Well-Known Member
Yeah, that's probably it. I bet I got some water drops on the leaves when I watered, and that burned them like you said. So this will correct itself over time?
Those burned areas will become necrotic, dry and yellow/brown. It won't spread. The plant will continue to develop. Even if it were ph burn like I've had 1-2 times, it's the same way. The creamy pigment-loss becomes dead/dry area but the plant continues to grow, etc.
 

SmerkedOut

Well-Known Member
Those burned areas will become necrotic, dry and yellow/brown. It won't spread. The plant will continue to develop. Even if it were ph burn like I've had 1-2 times, it's the same way. The creamy pigment-loss becomes dead/dry area but the plant continues to grow, etc.
Hey, how do they look to you? Do you think the lightly colored areas are from low strength nutes, or is it light bleaching?
100_2636.JPG 100_2637.JPG 100_2638.JPG 100_2639.JPG
And here's my seedlings. They were planted 10 days ago, and they surfaced 6 days ago. Do they look like they're growing slow or about right? They're getting some SUPER light nutes because I'm using RO so I don't wanna starve them.
100_2640.JPG
 

az2000

Well-Known Member
Hey, how do they look to you?
They look perfect! GH Flora Series is good. I just posted some details about how GH Flora 3-part's different mixtures relate to NPK ratios and PPMs. (<<link). That might interest you. I also did it for the "useless" schedule too. That post links to the details for "useless" (which is a slightly stronger and more fine-tuned than the label's schedule. I never used the label's schedule. If I did, I'd cut it in half.).
 

SmerkedOut

Well-Known Member
They look perfect! GH Flora Series is good. I just posted some details about how GH Flora 3-part's different mixtures relate to NPK ratios and PPMs. (<<link). That might interest you. I also did it for the "useless" schedule too. That post links to the details for "useless" (which is a slightly stronger and more fine-tuned than the label's schedule. I never used the label's schedule. If I did, I'd cut it in half.).
So based on the Useless schedule, where would you say my plants are? Like what week of veg should I be feeding them?
 

az2000

Well-Known Member
So based on the Useless schedule, where would you say my plants are? Like what week of veg should I be feeding them?
For the 6-day old ones, I'd say they're seedlings and that the label's 1/4-1/4-1/4 dose would be safe. That's 1.25ml per gal. But, label strengths are usually too high. I'd do 0.5 to 1 ml in the first week. But, soils usually have enough nutes for the first week, and it doesn't look like you need to do anything with them. I don't think 0.5ml would hurt. But, I don't think you need it either.

I forget what you said about the older ones, how old they are. Assuming they're in the 1st week after seedling week, I used Useless's "week 1." But, again, it depends on whether your medium has any nutrients built into it. If they're 3 weeks old (Useless seems to start week 1 of veg after 1 week of seedling), I'd start at week one for the first feeding, then move up to week 2. Next week, week 3 (when the plants are 4 weeks from sprouting).

One thing I like about useless is that it directs a new grower's tendency to over manage their plant into something rather harmless. You can fiddle with various proportions, analyze them in the spreadsheet, watch how your plants respond to each week's new NPK ratio (and strength in ppm). It's like a guided experiment for a new grower (instead of just sitting in front of the plants willing them to grow, perhaps meddling and causing problems).

I didn't answer your question about the light-colored new growth. I think it looks normal. It could be a sign of needing nutes. But, it's not too unusual.
 

SmerkedOut

Well-Known Member
For the 6-day old ones, I'd say they're seedlings and that the label's 1/4-1/4-1/4 dose would be safe. That's 1.25ml per gal. But, label strengths are usually too high. I'd do 0.5 to 1 ml in the first week. But, soils usually have enough nutes for the first week, and it doesn't look like you need to do anything with them. I don't think 0.5ml would hurt. But, I don't think you need it either.

I forget what you said about the older ones, how old they are. Assuming they're in the 1st week after seedling week, I used Useless's "week 1." But, again, it depends on whether your medium has any nutrients built into it. If they're 3 weeks old (Useless seems to start week 1 of veg after 1 week of seedling), I'd start at week one for the first feeding, then move up to week 2. Next week, week 3 (when the plants are 4 weeks from sprouting).

One thing I like about useless is that it directs a new grower's tendency to over manage their plant into something rather harmless. You can fiddle with various proportions, analyze them in the spreadsheet, watch how your plants respond to each week's new NPK ratio (and strength in ppm). It's like a guided experiment for a new grower (instead of just sitting in front of the plants willing them to grow, perhaps meddling and causing problems).

I didn't answer your question about the light-colored new growth. I think it looks normal. It could be a sign of needing nutes. But, it's not too unusual.
My medium is Coco and perlite so there is no nutes in it. I've been feeding the seedlings right about 1mL/g of each.

And the older plants are 2 months from seed but they got stunted because people on a different forum told me not to feed, so they were starving. But size wise, how much should I feed them?
 

az2000

Well-Known Member
And the older plants are 2 months from seed but they got stunted because people on a different forum told me not to feed, so they were starving. But size wise, how much should I feed them?
They should be in week 3 of Useless. But, you could start at week 1, then 2 the next feed, then 3 the next.

Actually, they should be in transition or entering bloom (week 1 or 2 of that schedule). But, it sounds like you want them to veg longer. Whether you start at week 1, 2 or 3 depends on what you've been feeding lately, how much of a surprise any of those strengths would be. Week 2's probably safe as a first step to week 3.

Or, you could flip them to flower, start with week 1 of the bloom schedule and just get what you can as you start your seedlings on a regimen. (But, it would be interesting to see if they'll grow more with 2-3 weeks of full veg nutrients, week 3 of the schedule.).
 

SmerkedOut

Well-Known Member
They should be in week 3 of Useless. But, you could start at week 1, then 2 the next feed, then 3 the next.

Actually, they should be in transition or entering bloom (week 1 or 2 of that schedule). But, it sounds like you want them to veg longer. Whether you start at week 1, 2 or 3 depends on what you've been feeding lately, how much of a surprise any of those strengths would be. Week 2's probably safe as a first step to week 3.

Or, you could flip them to flower, start with week 1 of the bloom schedule and just get what you can as you start your seedlings on a regimen. (But, it would be interesting to see if they'll grow more with 2-3 weeks of full veg nutrients, week 3 of the schedule.).
Yeah, I'm doing scrog plus they're still TINY and my yield would be like 5g lol. So I need to veg for probably at least 3 more weeks. Right now, they're getting 2.5mL/g of gro micro and bloom. So what would you recommend doing?

Also, when do I start feeding my seedlings the week 1 veg strength?
 

az2000

Well-Known Member
Yeah, I'm doing scrog plus they're still TINY and my yield would be like 5g lol. So I need to veg for probably at least 3 more weeks. Right now, they're getting 2.5mL/g of gro micro and bloom. So what would you recommend doing?
I'd feed half of them at useless's week 2 (veg), and half at week 3. See what happens, how the results compare.

Also, when do I start feeding my seedlings the week 1 veg strength?
If they're ready to water Fri or Sat, I'd feed half of them at half-strength of useless's week 1. Half of them at full strength. Again, just to see for yourself how they respond to two different strengths. If they're 8-9 days old, and the medium has no nutrients, they should be ready for 5-2.5-2.5.
 

SmerkedOut

Well-Known Member
I'd feed half of them at useless's week 2 (veg), and half at week 3. See what happens, how the results compare.



If they're ready to water Fri or Sat, I'd feed half of them at half-strength of useless's week 1. Half of them at full strength. Again, just to see for yourself how they respond to two different strengths. If they're 8-9 days old, and the medium has no nutrients, they should be ready for 5-2.5-2.5.
The big ones need some time to dry out because for some stupid reason they're showing overwatering. They were fine being watered every day and all of a sudden they're drooping.... It's 50/50 perlite coco, and it drains great... Yet it's overwatered.

But the seedlings need watered every night. That medium is very well aerated so it drains crazy fast. So I'll try that on them when they get fed tonight.
 

az2000

Well-Known Member
Do leaves just droop during their dark period?
I think so. I don't look at my plants much when lights are out. I have a green CFL I use for just 5-10 minutes. (I rarely do it. If I did it more frequently I'd invest in a green LED. I don't believe green-coated CFLs emit perfectly green light and could, over time, interfere with the plant.). It seems like I've noticed them being a little droopy like they're sleeping. Leaves not raised to the light like when the light is on.
 

SmerkedOut

Well-Known Member
I think so. I don't look at my plants much when lights are out. I have a green CFL I use for just 5-10 minutes. (I rarely do it. If I did it more frequently I'd invest in a green LED. I don't believe green-coated CFLs emit perfectly green light and could, over time, interfere with the plant.). It seems like I've noticed them being a little droopy like they're sleeping. Leaves not raised to the light like when the light is on.
Alright. In that case, I'm gonna mix up those different batches of nutes and feed my plants and seedlings. And I'm gonna keep a notebook to keep track of what I feed and when... I should have done that all along but I was lazy and stupid.
 

az2000

Well-Known Member
And I'm gonna keep a notebook to keep track of what I feed and when...
That's useful info to keep. On a future grow, if you're hesitant about when to feed, or if you try another product and wonder what's a safe PPM for that age plant, you can look back at what you did previously.

I'd recommend recording runoff ph and ppm too. That's handy to have if something goes wrong (the trend). After you have things dialed in you don't need to waste your time. But, I think it's good info when starting something new.

Pictures are good to keep. You'd be surprised how easy it is to forget what a plant looked like at some age.
 

SmerkedOut

Well-Known Member
That's useful info to keep. On a future grow, if you're hesitant about when to feed, or if you try another product and wonder what's a safe PPM for that age plant, you can look back at what you did previously.

I'd recommend recording runoff ph and ppm too. That's handy to have if something goes wrong (the trend). After you have things dialed in you don't need to waste your time. But, I think it's good info when starting something new.

Pictures are good to keep. You'd be surprised how easy it is to forget what a plant looked like at some age.
Based on the useless formula, I'm gonna use almost a gallon of bloom through my grow.... I'm gonna have to find a way to reduce that.
 

sherman420

Well-Known Member
Hey Man,

Great job bringing those little ones back to health. It's so nice to have people who know their stuff at your disposal to give advice or assistance. And yes, leaves do droop in the dark cycle, it's perfectly normal.

Good luck.

Sherman420
 

az2000

Well-Known Member
Based on the useless formula, I'm gonna use almost a gallon of bloom through my grow.... I'm gonna have to find a way to reduce that.
I imagine you're referring to the expense. Buy some Jack's Classic or the Grow More Sea Grow I use. $50 buys 12 lbs of Grow More Sea Grow. That's 3000 gallons. Using the spreadsheet I linked to earlier, you can mix 2-3 things to get Useless's NPK ratios.

You can use your leftover GH 3-part to contribute to a desired NPK. Each of the bottles is just another source to get your NPK ratio and PPMs where you want it to be.

But, that's a lot of messing around for a first grow. The nice thing about GH 3-part is that it has ph buffers which help hold your medium stable. And, the Useless schedule is like training wheels. You don't have to "read your plant" like using less regimented schedules. You won't know how to read your plant without first seeing a relatively trouble-free grow. I think GH 3-part and useless is one of the best (mindless?) ways to have a good first grow.

EDIT: This guy has been involved with GrowMore for a long time. He published a schedule for Sea Grow here.(<<link). Look for the "Active Soil" and "Small Scale" section. Using the spreadsheet, his ratios come out to:

-------------------------------------- RATIOS
------------------------------- N-P-K --------- K-Ca-Mg ----- PPM

Seed to 2 weeks before bud 1.58-1.00-1.00 - 10.47-1.00-6.12 - 296
Prebloom ----------------- 1.26-1.48-1.00 - 13.94-1.00-6.11 - 389
2 weeks Bloom ------------ 1.00-2.40-2.40 - 20.74-1.00-5.46 - 424
Bloom through harvest ---- 1.00-3.71-2.57 - 26.92-1.00-5.46 - 609


I haven't tried it yet. I'd like to get the Maxi-Cal and Jump Start so I could try the schedule without trying to recreate it combining other things (using the spreadsheet to get close).

At the price of those products, it's not expensive to try. If it works, you have a lot of fertilizer for many grows. The guy who developed that schedule posts to the Nutrients forum.
 
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SmerkedOut

Well-Known Member
Hey Man,

Great job bringing those little ones back to health. It's so nice to have people who know their stuff at your disposal to give advice or assistance. And yes, leaves do droop in the dark cycle, it's perfectly normal.

Good luck.

Sherman420
Thanks man! I really was amazed at how well they came back from the dead. And like you said, I definitely couldn't have done it without the awesome people that have helped me!

I imagine you're referring to the expense. Buy some Jack's Classic or the Grow More Sea Grow I use. $50 buys 12 lbs of Grow More Sea Grow. That's 3000 gallons. Using the spreadsheet I linked to earlier, you can mix 2-3 things to get Useless's NPK ratios.
Not so much the expense, but the suspicion of buying 2-3 gallons of nutes every couple months. I think I'll do the GH for this grow and then I'm gonna look into aquaponics afterwards. I'm already mostly set up for it, and it's cheaper, easier, and organic

But one of my seedlings is having a weird problem. The tips of the leaves are curled straight down. The other 4 are in the same exact environment and are fine. Any guesses? I will try to get pics soon
 
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