A thing that bothers me is I don’t know what the problem is, why the old lower leaves are turning yellow and falling of.
I grow in organic soil in fabric pots, 30 litres or 7 gallons. It is hot here, pots are some black some white and water goes through them fairly fast. (I got 2 humidity testers to see how the soil is 10-20 cm under and have to water daily in some pots.
I measured the ph runoff and it is 7.0. I have well water and lower the ph to 6.0 to 6.8, depending on batch. I pump the water into 200 l barrel.
I’d like to post some pictures, but not today because it’s raining.
I use the changes in the older leaves to time my transplanting. I believe that is symptom of root stress.
If I leave it, I will find brown and rotting roots. Catch it early and the roots are still quite white and healthy.
Your 7 gal bags should have plenty of room, might be worthwhile inspecting one of the root balls.
How hot and are all the plants doing it? Both white and black pots? Just how old are these plants…clones or seeds? Where did the soil come from? Any flies like fungus nats? Have you ever let the pots dry right out till the plants wilt a little? What fertilizer are you feeding them? Indoor or outdoors? Is there a air stone in the 200L barrel? Has the water ever been tested? Do you collect the rain water to feed the plants? More info would be helpful…thanks for the post and good luck.
Thanks both for replying. @Stoner, Hmm, root stress? In what way and what causes it?
@bandit306, hot around 36-39C it started to happen slowly, first one plant, others followed.
Soil is bought, organic good quality. Plants are feminised about 2 months old.
No bugs of any kind, I let it dry like that once or twice. I don’t think there’s root rot, because it’s kind of hard to do in fabric pots.
I’m feeding them some Biobizz and General hydroponics brands grow food.
The water is pure, not tested, from a good well, and usually I feed recommended portion and twice a week more less.
The photos uploaded so please take a look. I can take some more.
to my eyes it looks like they are cannibalizing the lower leaves…have you been increasing the food as they grow?? Do you feed organic food? I like to let my pots dry out between feedings…i learned i love them too much and can over water. Also i would suggest collecting the rain water and using that when you can…it seems you like organic and prefer that. Hope that helps…did you do anything a week or 2 before the problem started? Worm castings are a good organic food source and its pretty hard to burn them with that
Hey hey - In my current 4x4 tent grow, which is kinda over packed with 10 plants my plants are doing the same thing… I am pretty sure, at least in my situation it is just natural for the plant to pull nutrients and drop the lower leaves that aren’t really helping to provide much as they are almost sitting in the dark.
I think I will increase the food a bit, it kind of looks to me as they are hungry
The weird thing about the rainwater is it’s got ph 9+. I mean I’ve never seen rain water with such high ph. I didn’t believe it at first… Normally it is 5.5 to 6.5, so don’t ask why, (collected in clean plastic barrel) I have no clue and the ph meter is good quality. ADWA - AD11…
Reading around the web, people with similar problems had nutrient lockout low on Nitrogen…
Anyway it’s a bummer to see them yellow like that .
I’ll let them dry out a bit and do a good feeding.
ph 9 water is very caustic, the opposite of Acid Rain.
You could be down wind of a cement plant or other source of caustic dust.
I would be inclined to dump that water and start fresh. If not, you need a lot acid to correct the range.
Tested with calibrating solution for ph 7.
I don’t like those coloured strips.
I agree with you that ph 9+ for rain water is pretty much impossible.
Ok, just now I recalibrated to 7 and tested again and it’s 6.7ph.
You are right @Tinytuttle, @8k_feet
I got this measurement when it rained just a bit after some time of no rain and I just added a rain gutter. Maybe some pollution from the roof the first time?
Can you upload a pic of the plant as a whole? I’m thinking it needs a transplant, but can’t tell from top down pic. I’m an outdoor grower, don’t think it’s lockout, just need a better pic
Leaves have a certain lifespan. Old leaves will eventually yellow and fall off, like hair on an animal. Nutrient levels in organics tend to be overall lower, you can probably ratchet up the dosage of whatever amendments you’re using, but at the same time don’t be too alarmed if older leaves near the bottom of the plant yellow, especially if the rest of the plant looks fine and is growing well.
Of course @meesh sorry for the quality, there is too much sun ATM.
They seem to have gotten better in last few days, I started to pay more attention to dryness started to give food every time.
