Pale, drooping, bottom fan leaves

Strain/seeds: Some bagweed with many many seeds I found in the lawn at my apartment. :D

Starting Method: Germination in dark cloth in tupperware. Planted them in the soil when they had a 1" sprout.

Soil: A mix of potting soil, homemade dirt/compost from a plant nursery up the road, smelly pond mud, and some coffee grounds from starbucks. I didnt add much mud or coffee ground to the mix. I added the mud because it was smelly with decaying matter, and the coffee ground for acidity.

Water Source: Tap water I let sit out for a day or more.

Current Lighting Sources:
100 Watt CFL (actual 100w, not the equivalent rating)
150 Watt High Pressure Sodium
30 Watt 2' Plant/Aquarium grow light

Background/Story: I dont smoke very often, but I decided to grow just for the hell of it. I planted the sprouted seedlings and let them grow for 1 week. I already had vacation plans the next week. So I gave them a large amount of water, went on vacation and hoped for the best. At this time I only had the 30 watt flour tube very close. Came back a week later and they were still alive and seemed to be doing pretty well. Then I acquired a CFL and HPS light and vegged them for 2 weeks. Last week I started adding some diluted nutes. The nutrients were Superthrive and water-soulable Peters Professional 20-20-20 with micronutrients. HERE IS A LINK TO THE FERTIZILER

Now I am starting the 12/12 flowering cycle and noticed the bottom leaves on the plants arent looking normal. On the bigger plant, the bottom leaves are droopy, pale, and really thin and brittle feeling. On the smaller plant, the bottom leaves are more crispy than the bigger plant, but more or less the same.

From reading THIS THREAD, it appears I have a pH problem. I've never tested the pH before, but I plan on picking up a meter. Also, from reading the fertilizer PDF, it seems that the nutes are acidic as well. What is the cheapest thing I can do to lower the pH?

FYI: this is my first grow

Also, all the new leaves and growth seem to be just fine.

The smaller plant was stunted and deformed because it dried out when on vacation and the soil was too compacted. I am mostly worried about the big plant and hoping its a female. I should know in another week!

For now, I plan on just giving them plain water.

I meant RAISE the pH in the starting post. :(

FIrst of all, never add coffee grounds to your soil. Unless you are growing roses.

Second, I have no idea why you would try and flower your plants at this time. Do you? Your plant is only now developing its first real secondaries and thats where you get most of your bud.

They arent anywhere near being ready to flower..IF you want any real harvest.

Thirdly, you are way OVER NUTING your plants. The only thing a dirt grow needs during VEG stage is some good nitrogen. THATS IT.

Start your nutes AFTER flower pistels show and your plant enters bloom stage.

Finally, you might as well just chop her now if you continue to water without checking your pH.

To raise your pH, Baking Soda.
To lower your pH, Vinegar.

Now that you have added nutes, coffee grounds and lord knows what else, your soil is probably way out of whack. There is no telling without some real serious equipment to test the soil.

IF I were you, here is what I would do:

Get a pH pen. A good one is 50.00. Set your pH to 7.0

Then I would flush your plant very very well....say three times.

Do not water again until complelety dry, add NO NUTES except some fish emulsion, lightly, and let them go another 3 weeks at least, in VEG.

Good luck.

Thanks man. I started this mini grow before I knew of this site. Plus, imma be moving soon and didnt wanna big setup.

yuo ought to just re-pot them in decent soil...you were blessed by a few sprouts...By using the outdoor stuff you used??? you promote disease in your grow,,,goodluck

llw

Re-potted them today in some new potting soil and homemade dirt/compost mixed. I sterilized the dirt first. Then flushed them with pure water and let sit in the sun today.