DWC clones dont start growing!

[potofloyd]

:( Hello!
This is my first DWC setup ever, and two weeks ago I managed to root two clones from bagseed. The reservoir is a 34 lts. one and does not use any medium, the plants's stem stay fixed to the lid by a couple sponge rings. The clones got rooted using the pseudo-aeroponic method, with another bubbler.
Now the question is, how much time would I have to wait until the plants start to grow? The root mass has developed a lot and is suspended in the air, being misted by the bubbles at 24/0 now. They're under 80W of fluoro lighting at 19/5. Temps are ok (air temp and water temp), pH is 7.0. I mixed 1/4 strenght nutes just because the leaves of one of the clones is getting real yellow and dying. I also put some H2O2 in it, but the situation hasnt changed since that. :confused: :confused:
As I said, this is my first time in hydroponics, so any help or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance. :thumbsup:

poto_floyd (_._)

PS: I dont speak english natively, so please excuse any spelling mistakes.

[The White Snoop]

PH for hydro is 5.3-5.9

[elcheapo]

Welcome aboard.
I'd give those babies 1/2 strength nutes if they already have well established roots. And try to keep the pH below 6.5. Growth should be explosive once they start to gather some new healthy leaves.
Do you have any pictures?

[LOC NAR1958]

If the roots are there they will come. The tops always look worrse just before they take off. A well established root system is the important thing.

[Zandor]

drop the Ph it's to high.

[potofloyd]

Hi! :dance:
Thanks alot for the replies! :D :D Sorry for the delay,I just moved (new home) and still have no internet connection :mad:

Ok,I know the pH must be a bit low for a good DWC grow, but I thought a neutral pH would have not presented any trouble. A friend of mine did a successful grow from start to finish with the same method I am using, and using just tap water (the water in my city is always neutral).
Anyways, I'll follow the experts' advice and lower the pH. I read that you can use vinegar, lemon juice, etc. but the recommended thing is phosphoric acid. Is this so? I ask cause I have only found really expensive pH-Down, cant afford it for now :(
And about the pics, sorry, dont have a digicam.
Thank all of you again! :thumbsup:

poto_floyd (_._)

[elcheapo]

Check the faqs on the correct pH for hydro. Neutral is not ideal.
I'm not sure if all nutrients do this but mine lowers the pH to the correct level then tends to hold it fairly stable. The more nutrients the lower and more stable pH stays. I also use tap water but run in to problems using nutrient concentrations below 1/2.
If it worked for your friend then find out what nutrients he was using, how much he was applying and how often.
It's a bit of a balancing act to grow a healthy plant without pH adjustment or a pH tester. But it can be done. I can go for at least a week without any maintenance of my setup. (Other than raising the light!)
Use things like vinegar and lemon juice at your own risk. I found I was better off staying away from them.

[latewood]

It worries me when a potential grower makes a statement
like; I can't afford that expensive ph down...
that's about the cheapest thing you can buy for hydro...lol

goodluck lw

[Opie Yutts]

Those that replied before me are right. PH needs to be about 5.2 or 5.3.

Use 1/4 or 1/2 strength nutes at first. Don't worry, if they are not dead yet and you do the stuff we recommended, they will really take off.

[potofloyd]

Hello! :D :D Sorry for bringing this thread up again, but I just wanted to thank you for the replies. I just read the *new* ones and have to agree absolutely with the using of lemon juice at own risk. I did it a few days ago and it successfully lowered the pH to about 5.5-6.0, but two days later, the roots had a strange ang ugly brown color all over them :( . They were also a little slimey. Obviously, I changed immediately to plain water and 10ml of H2O2 per litre of solution.
The pH down is really expensive here in my city (a chilean one ;)), so I'll check the phosphoric acid out for the first stages, where the nutrients still are not enough for lowering the pH to the correct levels. By the way, the nutes are called 'Phostrogen' and is the only thing that is widely available here. As you can see, hydroponics is still in seedling stage around here :confused:

Again, thank you very much and sorry for the delay. :p


poto_floyd (_._)