To flush , or not to flush, that is the question!?

[KayaKing]

Hi all,
I'm a newbie - long time smoker, first time grower. I know a few people who grow, and I even have a Hyrdro store nearby, but I am constantly trying to diagnose new problems. At the moment I only have two plants growing for 1 month on 18/6 in Bio-bizz mix soil (with a bit of cocco mixed in) at around 70degrees, little humidity, and an open loft window for natural ventilation.
So, my main worry is whether or not to bother to flush this little plant of what little nutes it has. I have been watering them every day with tap water and only recently (3-4days) have been adding fert (Bio Bizz food) with water. Since they had recently been transplanted and my other surviving tree had the early stages of root rot (yellow, weakened stem, coming up from base, turning leaves yellow & dead in it's path upwards - I'm assuming that was the problem!?), I also added another mixture of superthrive & organic algae that I have been spraying at the base, under leaves, etc.. The root rot seemed to slow down, so I continued applying both solutions to both plants, until my healthy one, turned into the unhealthy one. It now has yellow/brown spots on the edges of the top fan leaves, the leaves are curling under, and drying up quickly. Now I desperately want to remedy my sloppy greenthumb, so should I flush or continue to feed with normal tap water only? I have been feeding both plants the same amount of water, so I'm assuming it's nutes, rather than overwatering - but they do say, assumption is the mother of all fuckups, so pls help me!!
Yr combined wisdom is greatly appreciated,
Peace.


PS - Is it a bad idea to flush a plant that has been over watered, or when in doubt should I always flush first, ask questions later!? Thanks.

KayaKing Reviewed by KayaKing on 02-11-2008. To flush , or not to flush, that is the question!? Hi all, I'm a newbie - long time smoker, first time grower. I know a few people who grow, and I even have a Hyrdro store nearby, but I am constantly trying to diagnose new problems. At the moment I only have two plants growing for 1 month on 18/6 in Bio-bizz mix soil (with a bit of cocco mixed in) at around 70degrees, little humidity, and an open loft window for natural ventilation. So, my main worry is whether or not to bother to flush this little plant of what little nutes it has. I have Rating: 5

[stinkyattic]

Okay lay off the foliar feeding for now.
What is your fert solution and runoff pH?
If you are concerned about waterlogging the plants, punch holes in the SIDES of the pots too, but if you have a pH problem (likely) you WILL need to flush.
Treat with Serenade (Bacillus subtilis and YAY! It's OMRI listed organic!) to combat root rot without overdoing the other stuff.

[KayaKing]

Forgot to mention that I had a small 1000 watt heater in the corner of the room that would occasionaly be set off by a thermostat control when the temp went below 70 - the weather is changing now so I unplugged her today. That is the only other variable I can think of.
Thanks in advance for yr time & help! :rastasmoke:

[Mr. Clandestine]

PS - Is it a bad idea to flush a plant that has been over watered, or when in doubt should I always flush first, ask questions later!? Thanks.

No, that's not a good mantra to live by! Sometimes it's water with an acidic/alkaline pH that's causing the problems, and will only be made worse by another flush. Test the pH of your tap water, especially since you haven't been using nutrients for all that long. The next time you need to water, water with enough pH-neutral water to produce some runoff from the bottom of the pot. Test the pH of the runoff.

This may or may not be contributing to some of your problems, but it's a good idea to know the pH of your water and soil. If things get too far out of whack, it'll pave the way for all sorts of other problems to happen.

[KayaKing]

Thanks for getting back to me so quick Stinky!
My fert solution is Bio-Grow 8.0-2.0-6.0 Liquid plant food, 3ml per litre.
Unfortunately I have not got a PH reader, but a Liquid PH test is in the post. The earth isn't too moist or smelly, so I haven't been too worried, but I will let you know the score... For now I will flush it.
As far as poking extra holes in side of pot, I'm gonna do that right now!
Having googled that Bacillus Subtilis I'm led to believe yr some sort of horticultural genius, that sounds amazing! Unfortunately I am a resident of the United Kingdom and they don't make/sell Serenade in the UK - is there any other alternative product? I've checked my Hydro superstore, but they don't seem to stock anything with a similar name - do you know GroWell > Hydroponics, Grow Lights, Grow Rooms & Plant Lighting , any ideas what the English version of Bacillus Subtilis might be?
Is it one of these :
GroWell > Plant Health Products

Thanks again!

[KayaKing]

No, that's not a good mantra to live by! Sometimes it's water with an acidic/alkaline pH that's causing the problems, and will only be made worse by another flush. Test the pH of your tap water, especially since you haven't been using nutrients for all that long. The next time you need to water, water with enough pH-neutral water to produce some runoff from the bottom of the pot. Test the pH of the runoff.

This may or may not be contributing to some of your problems, but it's a good idea to know the pH of your water and soil. If things get too far out of whack, it'll pave the way for all sorts of other problems to happen.

My other plant, which has been fed the same water, is looking very healthy with dark green leaves that can support themselves proudly! Plus I don't think this plant will survive another 3-4 days (while I wait for the pH reader) without a flush, if that's what it does indeed need. I also forgot to mention that the plants have yet to be flushed atalll!
Thanks for yr words of wisdom Mr C. - I will let you know the pH levels...

[stinkyattic]

Liquid pH indicator is fine- you said you have some?
B. subtilis is a species of bacteria that is an active component of a bunch of different products. I'm not sure what other names are hang on one sec google time.
Bacillus subtilis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia <-there's the stuff
Check out Botanicare Hydroguard. It's actually a couple different varieties of bacillus and was developed for use on .... CANNABIS! Whooo hoo!
I promise I'm not a hort genius. Just an evil genius.
Get the space heater AWAY from the plant. Hang it from the ceiling, turn it pointing away from the palnts, ANYHTING so it does not blow right on them. The pic does look like a plant that has been exposed to really arid conditions- the leaf-edge curl indicates drying.

[KayaKing]

Thanks alot for yr help guys, turns out it was a simple lack of air getting to the roots that was causing the majority of problems due to my foolish watering techniques, so I've been advised to replant with 40% vermiculite. I am re-potting later today & will put up photos of the hopeful progress that the plants will make in a week or so after they recover from the traumatic ordeal of my oafish greenthumb...
Got the Bacillus Subtilis at the ready, thanks again for dropping science Stinky!

[stinkyattic]

If you haven't re-potted yet, go with PERLITE over vermiculite for increased aeration. IT's superior.