I looked at a bunch of pictures online but I just don’t know. Looking for some help. After reading some articles I think it might just be from overwatering, maybe I underestimated the time needed to dry this pot out. I also think it looks like a calcium+magnesium deficiency but I’m not confident in that.
Strain is Blue Cheese from bagseed, in happy frog soil. Probably 4 weeks but I didn’t track when I planted it (dumb yeah I know). It’s under a “130 watt” Fecida grow light from amazon (turned off for these pictures). I started it in a solo cup of Happy Frog soil and transplanted 2 weeks ago into the pot, also HF. I haven’t been PH’ing my water (dumb yeah I know x2) but when I checked in the past it’s always been around 6.5. I’ve never needed to alter it before so I stopped checking. Also, my water goes through a softener then RO for drinking water. I’ve been using the softened non-RO water.
I fed it for the first time when these symptoms appeared a few days ago because I thought it just meant the soil was depleted. Problem did not improve and seems to be continuing to worsen.
Okay pictures
This is just an overview. The tupperware contains a clone.
I think the newest growth is mostly healthy. Problems are clearly visible on the “middle” growth (not the oldest growth but not really new either)
closeups of one of the affected fan leaves below. It’s striped basically, and the tips are pointing down. I also noticed some of the leaves are asymmetrical in shape. I don’t know if that’s normal or not but it probably isn’t related to the main problem.
Down toward the bottom are these two huge fan leaves (compared to the others anyway). They don’t have the stripes but they do have tips pointing downward, and I noticed when taking the pics that one of them has a tiny brown spot.
That’s all I’ve got. I’m no photographer and if these aren’t enough to ID I can upload more. TIA for any info or advice you can provide.
7 Likes
Looks over watered and or overfed. Under 130 watts and using fox farms, you can probably get by with a lighter feed until it starts showing you it wants more. It’s also good to pay attention to the midrib and leaf veins. The midrib may start to go red or purple if it’s hungry. Petioles are green, stems are green, leaves are a bit dark and starting to curl. Those things tell me overfed or underlit. Excited to see you rock it out though! It’s certainly doing just fine and shouldn’t be anything to panic about at this point. Give it a lighter feed or straight water and see if that helps.
8 Likes
Starting to look a bit overwatered and maybe short some mag judging by bluing edges and yellowing inside the margins…
6 Likes
That could be the main issue. Water softener’s usually use salt, sodium chloride, to do the job. Plants don’t like that. Literally salting the earth. I’d look at using the RO water or water that hasn’t been softened.
8 Likes
I agree: Soft water can be bad to use continually. It definitely looks like a calcium Magnesium deficiency, soft water is known to be lacking in Calcium and Magnesium and, the added sodium ions can accumulate to the point of toxicity. Your plants are only starting to show issues, it is good you are on it and can fix it. Using either RO or unfiltered water will help lower the salt levels, but I wouldn’t continue to use the soft water.
Here is a link to an analysis that concluded that a plant died due to salt poisoning from soft water
2 Likes
Multi-replies aren’t a feature I guress but all of these comments are pretty helpful. Thanks!
Definitely overwatered because I put it in a huge pot way earlier than it needed to be. Can’t be getting dry enough.
Totally agree on the soft water too. I’ll have to figure out what to replace it with.
Follow-up question: Should I add calmag or let the issue go away on its own?
1 Like
Usually bigger pots means u can water the girls more often and don’t have to worry about over watering, personally using pots with 10gal quality soil, now towards the winter the humidity tends to drop some and requires watering more often. Good thumb rule is to lift the pot when dry to see how much it weights and then water when light and dry, if on the fence, considering watering or not, wait til next day
Plants gonna b fine. What are you usinf for nutrients?
That’s my thought too. He should use the water before it goes through the softener. I’ve heard outside faucets usually aren’t connected to the softener so that might be an option.
2 Likes
Maybe you can poke a saddle valve in the water line before the softener, to a float valve in a collection tote.
@Bayarealivingsoil happy frog trio, big bloom + grow big is what I gave it the other day, at 1/4 strength. I don’t really think it needs it yet so I’ll be waiting a bit before adding any more. Honestly nutrients have been one of the more confusing things for me, everyone does it differently.
@PadawanWarrior If the outdoor spigots aren’t connected to the softener that explains why my outdoor never experienced this. You’re probably right and I’ll have to check that.
@webeblzr overkill for right now but I’m making a mental note of this for future DWC ambitions
3 Likes
I would put my money on a Mg deficiency. I have successfully worked this out a few times. 1 Tbsp of Epsom salt to a gallon of water and pH to 6.5. Feed two times in a row. If you’re doubting your tap water, get a couple gallons of spring water. They should look good in about 6-8 days.
This is good info, thanks! I came back to ask if I need calmag. It turns out all my water is softened, so I switched to RO for watering. Plant was drooping today so I watered and it perked up, but still has the deficiency aesthetic. It grew a lot today so I think we’re recovering.
Your tent looks great, is that another 3x3? I’d love to pack them in like that sometime.
1 Like
A lil Mg def, but you are overdoing it with N
Back up a lil.
No that’s a 2x2. I believe in maximizing space 
