So all was well until I added a new light (10 solstrips at 5000k). I’m going to guess what my issue is, and what changes I’ve done since.
I setup the new light and ran it at 240watts about 16" away, and I’ve since backed it off to 24" and 160watts. Growing in Coco, RO Water, and ph is always in check before feeding. I’ve been doing well with small plants so I’m hoping it’s all due to this light blasting them too hard.
This one was underfeed, so I increased the feed to 600ppm. Just not sure if I should have flushed it out first when the lower leaves where turning yellow and browing.
Sorry I know it’s a lot of issues, and trying to keep a closer eye on my plants when I spot something. Outside of the light, I haven’t changed anything with my feeding etc. Am I on the right track?
Feed more! And use a TON less perlite in your coco mix…as that’s the issue for at least one of them (pic3) cuz I have a couple that did that… Constantly dry even after I would water… The rest just look hungry but still a great setup… just gotta get the plants to work right in it
Less perlite got it! #3 was doing amazing, but just hit a wall with her even though I was feeding everyday. I just feed her so ill see if she perks up in a few.
The rest, I know I should have upped the feed which I did yesterday. Should have been on the ball sooner. I was really hoping to nail it, i just keep messing things up lol
On a good note I do have one in flowering that is probably the best looking plant Ive ever had, which last time i said that all went to hell lol
I mean they are all photoperiod yea? If so there’s more than enough time to bounce back…
Plus that last one looks nice and green! Nah you got this lol adding things, especially more light, is usually gonna come with some adjustments as the plants have more usable light now
All autos, it’s all I grow for now. I know they are a tad small, only cause i waited too long to add the new light as I had them under a 45w light only.
But it was time to do my upgrade so it definitely changed something.
Anyway I’ve printed up some damn sheets so I can track my plants on when I feed and how much and go from there. I’ll nail it i swear!!! My other plant is doing amazing, been on top of her feed (though I messed up) thinking the yellow tips were nut burn when it turned out to be light burn lol
Disagree on less perlite. Perlite moderates coco’s weird effects on nutrients and lower pH. It also helps keep media evenly moist. Perlite holds almost as much water as coco, believe it or not. Due to how much air it holds, it is basically impossible to overwater 50/50 coco/perlite.
Looks like you’re dealing with low pH from the coco mix, try flushing with high pH solution until it adjusts. When I say high pH, sometimes you’ll need a couple of around 8.0 flushes to get it to adjust. Water a bit and check your runoff. I bet it’s around 5.0 (or even less).
Try feeding normal strength solution from the get go. It won’t burn your seedlings. I also feed every watering. Less swings in pH/nutrient concentration that way.
You said you were bottom watering, so the top doesn’t really get wet, but your media looks dry to me. Less water in the media means more stress for the plant and greater swings in pH/EC.
I’ve been starting full strength of MC once she sprouts and never a burn at all, plus I do feed with every watering. This is why it’s throwing me off, usually have great starts until stretch then I kinda mess up on feed strength at that point.
So was wondering if the cause was the light since that’s all i’ve changed since it went to hell. If it doesn’t get better I’ve got plenty of seeds to give it another go.
I’ll recalibrate my PH pen again, it’s been about a month or so and it was out last time by a bit which could explain a dip in PH if that’s the case.
So I’ve been flushing for awhile now…putting in water that is ph’d at 5, and i I’ve been dumping water for quiet sometime and still can’t get runoff below 6.
I’m about to throw them all in the garbage, but I’d rather not. Am I doing something wrong here?
My ph is at 6.5 in coco, and I’m trying to get it down. I’ve dumped ph’d water at 5, and i cant get it down, so feeding them would be pointless as that’s what ive been doing.
Yup calibrated it. PH was at 6.5+ which is way too high, feed was on point.
Damn. Next time ill be sure to prep my coco, just cause last batch was amazing, this new one sucked.
Once i get the ph run off to 5.8 ill get some feed in it. But just wondering why pouring water with a ph of 5 over 20 times is not dropping the ph from run off
I’ve never used coco except in an already mixed potting soil, but I see some great results with it, but also some real pains in the ass with it when it’s new. Is that the trick @99PerCent to soak the coco in epsoms for a while before use?
What kind of ph should you have in that type of medium? For sheer curiosity and learning sake.
A lot of that having to prep coco tends to do with how well the manufacturers rinse. Some coco coir is fine to hydrate and use, others need to be “seasoned”.
I bough a 50l bag and just did a run off test with 5.5ph in and came out at 6.3 which is a bit much. Considering some of them did a run off at 6.5+ which explains my issues.
My previous bag I didn’t even check and had no issues. I’m hoping they recover after flushing for 2hrs…5 pots yikes.
The coco is pre buffered also, I’ll have to start checking from now on.
Coco doesnt Like to be bottom Fed. You will get Salt build Up quick. Run off Ph is not important. Feed a Pot Till you get 10-20 percent Run off (Pot Volume) that ensures that Roots will have fresh nutrients/oxygen and exess Salts will be flushed Out. Don’t ever let Coco dry out it is Not Soil. Ph Swings will be so Bad causing plants to die quick.
I hand watered Coco Long Time IT’S Like a Love hate relationship Happy growing
