I’ve been using the Alaska Fish Fertilizer (5.1.1) this round too, and have had some of the same effects on one plant. I’m growing only two plants, and have been giving them identical treatment.
One is doing fine, but the other (the runt of the litter) seems to be showing that it wants more nitrogen. I give them both a misting of distilled water fortified with just a tiny bit of fish goo and cal-mag, at least once a week. Sometimes into the leaves, sometimes into the soil.
I chalk the difference in tolerance between the two plants up to their phenotype. One is simply more robust than the other.
I may lay off the fish goo completely for the next round though. It STINKS so badly!
The plants look great @Gonzo , but I think they’re hungry. They shouldn’t be starting the fade at 31 days. I top dress every two weeks regardless, but I’m using Dr. Earth dry amendments and EWC’s. If you’re using dry amendments, it’s really tough to overfeed them. You can do it, but it takes a lot.
You should be fine to add the potassium and the cal mag and then ph it to 6.5 with the silica. What’s the bone meal, phosphorus? That’s going to take a long time to break down anyhow. I don’t see why you couldn’t use that too. Better to start at a half dose. Especially if you’ve already been giving them top dresses. The only one I’d give a full dose on is the potassium. But you can always feed it again in a week if you don’t see any improvement. Cannabis is super potassium hungry in flower.
This is just what I do. One of many ways to top dress. If I’m starting out with something like Gaia green (which I really like) or Dr. Earth, I either mix it with worm castings or water with Recharge. The dry amendments need to break down and EWC’s will do it slowly, whereas Recharge will do it quickly.
I use the Tomato, Vegetable and Herb, and Flower Girl. I truly don’t measure anything. I think the recommended amount per gallon of soil is fine, but it’s so forgiving that I don’t worry about it. I’m certain I use more than that, but not too much more. I use recharge once in a while, but only when I get lazy. I mix up a bag of EWC’s (eyeballed), Dr. Earth (both), then water in Recharge to start the breakdown process. I keep it stirred up a couple of times a day for oxygen. You can smell the Recharge working, it will smell slightly anaerobic. Then when the smell is of fresh earth, I just let it sit until the plants need top dressing, which I do approximately every two weeks.
I’ve had the same small bag of Recharge for two years. You really don’t need much. I use it as an accelerant. There are over a billion microbes in every teaspoon of soil, so the breakdown is pretty quick with EWC’s, but if I don’t make up a bag of food ahead of time, I will use it. I use a 10 gallon grow bag to mix up the top dressing I’m going to need for the entire grow. Dr. Earth and Gaia Green both work really well, but Gaia is a little tougher to get in the states. What I have, I’ve purchased from Amazon.
I hate to admit it, but I am a lazy grower. I want the best return for the least amount of effort possible. I’m not knocking the hydro folks at all. I’ve seen the difference in bud size, vigor, etc. I have my gear set up to feed every couple of weeks and water when necessary. Rinse and repeat. That’s why my grow log is so boring. I don’t really have anything to show. “Well, they grew a little more this week.”
Hey @Ottafish how much of this 0-0-50 Potassium Sulfate should I add to a gallon & split between the 2 plants? I’ve done three 1/8th teaspoons so far & the fade isn’t slowing down. Should I go hard with like a a full tbsp?
Sounds like 1-1.5 grams or a half teaspoon. I don’t think it’ll be an immediate difference you see but maybe it won’t get worse. It’s hard to say but a little boost is good during flower just don’t over do it or you could cause other problems.
Your plants looks like they’re stacking some pretty nice buds. You could give them a little gypsum or Epsom salt for some sulfur if you’re not. Sulfur is good for flower and increases terpenes.
It’s hard to play the guessing game sometimes. That’s why I like to use a big mass of soil, because then the nutrients don’t start to run out.
@Gonzo nice job buddy what week are you on? And have you checked soil ph? Might need a good flush could have dry spots. Just a thought hope everything is good
Make sure to PH to 6.5 ish use the silica to PH up if needed. It matters in small pots more. You want your nutrients available. I try to always PH my teas. I’ve noticed the organics breaking down can lower the soil ph to undesirable levels. I also think it’s due to the plant eating all the calcium half way through flower when I grow big plants outside.
With 1/8th tsp of Potassium Sulfate & 1/2 tablespoon of Nectar of the Gods 0-6-0 the PH was right between 6 & 7. According to my GH ph liquid drop tester vial. I haven’t invested in a good PH pen yet so i gotta eyeball it.
Just gave them a full gallon of h2o for the first time. Here’s hoping we all good
Think I’ve slowed down the yellowing, doing deeper/more full waterings & recharge + adding plenty of PK. Haven’t had to remove any dead leaves in 3 days.
Plant YOYO’s are going up as the colas start to sag & will soon flop over.
