STRANGE WHITE SPOTS!

Hi again Mistaswift. Im pretty sure it's not spidermites that are causing the damage I can see in your pics. The white spots are on the leaf tip marhins and from your description.. it seems to be moving up your plant from the bottom. Spidermite damage creates a random pattern of tiny white flecks on the leaves where the little bastards have sucked the chlorophyl from the leaf from the underside.

Im no expert and I'm suprised a few of the more experienced growers on here haven't nailed it for you. The symptoms look disttinctive to me but I've never come across them personally.

Ive done some searching and the thing that seems to match ur problem is a Zinc deficiency.
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ZINC (Zn)
White areas form at leaf tips and between veins. Occurs in alkaline soils. Zn deficiency can be treated by burying galvanized nails in the soil. Chemical fertilizer containing Zn can also be used.

Your soil is ph 6.8 you say... which is not a major issue. A ph of 6.4 may be better but I cant see that bieng the prob. I'm wondering if there is any Zinc in tap water and it is bieng removed by the filtration. Or any other metals for that matter.

We need an emergency 'call stinkyattic' button on these forums. She would get to the bottom of it.

Can u take some more pics that show the 'little white spots everyehere' you mentioned in the last post.

We will get to the bottom of it eventually :rasta:

It may not be causin any probs but I would switch from the fridge water to tap water for now. It wont do your plants any harm and u never know. Tap water has trace amounts of calcium, sodium and magneium I think and maybe other minerals which are beneficial.... I cant help wondering if the fridge filter is removing some of the micro nutrients u need.

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Originally Posted by Wobster

Tap water has trace amounts of calcium, sodium and magneium I think and maybe other minerals which are beneficial.... I cant help wondering if the fridge filter is removing some of the micro nutrients u need.

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Thats sounds like its worth looking into.
Check your rep Wobster.:jointsmile:

Thankyou Greenthing... much appriciated :D

Just switch to plain tap water, at about room temperature- it should be refreshingly cool if you stick your hand in it, but not cold. Cold water can cause funky soil chemistry.
That's the strangest symptom I've seen yet. It looks like Zinc lockout, but too white!
Make sure your water is the correct temperature, stop using your Brita or whatever, and only water when the pots feel light.
Next time the soil gets dry, do a runoff test by testing your water pH, then pouring it through the pot and testing what comes out.
Report the results of both tests.
I'm only chiming in now because you described mite damage perfectly, but the pics show something weirder.
FYI, charcoal filters remove particulates and organic compounds, such as chloramine and other disinfectants, but do not remove dissolved ionic substances such as Ca and Mg in any appreciable amount.

hmm so a possible zinc defficiency...

i have another question about water while we are on the topic, no matter how hot /cold the water is should i always let it adjust to the temperature in the room? i have been doing that and letting it sit for a couple days before using to evaporate the chlorine etc.

it makes sense that the "filter" may even be removing trace amounts of some of the possibly benificial minerals that may have been needed, so i will switch back to the tap.

so galvanized nails can provide zinc, any other simple solutions such as that?

i have a hydro shop nearby if ther are any products you can suggest i use to provide that little extra bit of zinc, if it contains other benificial nutrients as well that would be nice.

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Originally Posted by mistaswift

hmm so a possible zinc defficiency...

i have another question about water while we are on the topic, no matter how hot /cold the water is should i always let it adjust to the temperature in the room? i have been doing that and letting it sit for a couple days before using to evaporate the chlorine etc.

it makes sense that the "filter" may even be removing trace amounts of some of the possibly benificial minerals that may have been needed, so i will switch back to the tap.

so galvanized nails can provide zinc, any other simple solutions such as that?

i have a hydro shop nearby if ther are any products you can suggest i use to provide that little extra bit of zinc, if it contains other benificial nutrients as well that would be nice.

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try too take better picture of affected leaves you said there is white speckling on leaves or is it just the tips ? and a picture of the whole plant is always good

=mistaswift;1934541]hmm so a possible zinc defficiency...

Quote:

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i have another question about water while we are on the topic, no matter how hot /cold the water is should i always let it adjust to the temperature in the room? i have been doing that and letting it sit for a couple days before using to evaporate the chlorine etc.

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Yes water should be at room temperature. I use a fish tank heater to get the tap water to the correct temperature then mix up a batch of nutes in a large container two days before I need to use them, In the container I have a large fish tank air stone to keep the mix oxygenated.
I keep a check on the PH and Nute strength and the Temperature and adjust if necessary.

ty for the info green,


i will have better pic up soon

A pic of the full plant sure will help.

But its a very strange symthom. Those spots are so white...

for sure its not a mayor element lacking. And its rare a micro deff shows first on the bottom. And those that do, dont match with those white spots.

I believe its probably related to have shocked your plants by watering with cold water. But ive never seen that symthom before. So if still continues advancing after using ambient temp water, i think we may think on a rare toxicity.