Too soon for nutrient deficiencies?

[colour]

Drip
T5
Distilled water @ 5.8
69-72 F
40-42 RH
18/6 cycle
Watered 3x daily @ 10 min. increments.

These 2 are in the 9th day of light. T5 sits 3-5 inches from top of plants. I've noticed they have slowed in growth and developed leaf discoloration. From what I've researched it looks like a P deficiency. Is it too soon to have nutrient deficiencies...?

Before I forget - what about the roots? This setup is strictly vegetative, when the time comes they'll go into a flower room. The roots are starting to poke through the bottom of the rockwool...:wtf:Whats a good method to keep them in the dark without adding hydroton or anything that will stick to the roots?

Thanks!
-Colour

colour Reviewed by colour on 02-02-2008. Too soon for nutrient deficiencies? Drip T5 Distilled water @ 5.8 69-72 F 40-42 RH 18/6 cycle Watered 3x daily @ 10 min. increments. These 2 are in the 9th day of light. T5 sits 3-5 inches from top of plants. I've noticed they have slowed in growth and developed leaf discoloration. From what I've researched it looks like a P deficiency. Is it too soon to have nutrient deficiencies...? Rating: 5

[dejayou30]

Whats that brown stuff surrounding the plant in the hole in the rockwool? You shouldn't be feeding any nutes, only water at this point. They look stretched, might want to move the light closer.

[colour]

They're in Rapid Rooters. I too thought they looked stretched but was more concerned about the leaf color. Right on, moving the light a little closer may not be a bad idea.

--They haven't been given any nutes. Is it better to add CalMag when nutrients begin or do it now?

[Weedhound]

I'm wondering about ph of your rockwool....they look like your ph is off. They're all twisted and odd colors.

Something is off for sure but it doesn't seem like a nute def.

[colour]

I soaked rockwool in distilled water @ 5.8 for 24 hrs then rinsed them with 5.8 distilled prior to putting them in...Im going to check PH right now...

[colour]

Well, my PH was, in fact, off. I calibrated then tested and it was at 6.5. Will PH jump around from day to day?

[Weedhound]

I haven't used rockwool myself but I've HEARD of it's ph issues. Next time I'd probably soak the rockwool (and keep checking the ph) until it stabilizes at the ph I want. May take longer than 24 hours.......I know it does when prepping hydroton.

At this point, just keep checking and changing it back which you may have to do several times a day for now. The issue will improve when you get some nutes in there with their ph buffers.....and the problem WILL go away eventually as the medium stabilizes.

[colour]

Thanks Weedhound...its been a few hours, I'll check it again.

Before I forget - what about the roots? This setup is strictly vegetative, when the time comes they'll go into a flower room. The roots are starting to poke through the bottom of the rockwool...Whats a good method to keep them in the dark without adding hydroton or anything that will stick to the roots?

Anyone have suggestions on this one?

[Weedhound]

Well what exactly is your veg setup? Ebb and flow, drip or ?

[colour]

Drip. I didn't think of this until I noticed the roots peaking through.
What about putting visqueen plastic around the rockwool and poke holes on the bottom for the water to drain...? That make sense?

-Colour:hippy: