Leaves Curling and a Bit Leathery

[Rusty Trichome]

I'd wait on liming the soil till the water ph and runoff is known. It might take the ph further out of range. Limestone dust (lime) has a ph of around 8.

Do you use Superthrive, or are you adding any micronute formula's? (CalMag, B-1, Botanicare Sweet, molasses, ...)

Rusty Trichome Reviewed by Rusty Trichome on 06-02-2009. Leaves Curling and a Bit Leathery My first indoor grow and the 4 week old plant's leaves don't look good. The first few sets of leaves were turning yellow and brown. As soon as I had more leaves I removed the first ones. I notices a few gnats so sprayed the remaining leaves and soil once with SchultzGarden Safe/ Fruit & Vegetable InsectKiller. Now the yellow/brown symptoms are gone but the leaves now are curling and look a bit leathery. Here is my questionnaire and I will add more photos in another post. I have been lurking on Rating: 5

[nevergetsold]

I'd wait on liming the soil till the water ph and runoff is known. It might take the ph further out of range. Limestone dust (lime) has a ph of around 8.

Do you use Superthrive, or are you adding any micronute formula's? (CalMag, B-1, Botanicare Sweet, molasses, ...)

So far I am just using tap water. I have Pure Blend Pro Grow and Pure Blend Pro Bloom but have not used them yet because I have been waiting for clues that it needs nute's. Should I just start nutes at a certain age regardless? Once I do I planned to start with the Grow. It is 36 days since I put the germinated seed in soil. Looks like my pH solutions will finally arrive tomorrow. How much water should I run through the pot before I measure the runoff pH?
Tks

[nevergetsold]

I'd wait on liming the soil till the water ph and runoff is known. It might take the ph further out of range. Limestone dust (lime) has a ph of around 8.

Do you use Superthrive, or are you adding any micronute formula's? (CalMag, B-1, Botanicare Sweet, molasses, ...)

Finally got the Hanna pH meter calibrated and the tap water pH is 7.5 and the runoff is 7.3. From what I have read 6.8 is better but I don't know if my readings are high enough to require intervention.

[McDanger]

I would adjust it. Be careful with the pH down, the stuff I have is concentrated so I only put it in a drop at a time then recheck after mixing. I take mine down to 6.5, so you have a full point to move.
I checked my runoff today and it is low (5.8) after being 6.6 going in. We are getting the same symptoms with different conditions so I don't know what to tell ya. keep workin on it. :thumbsup:

[nevergetsold]

I would adjust it. Be careful with the pH down, the stuff I have is concentrated so I only put it in a drop at a time then recheck after mixing. I take mine down to 6.5, so you have a full point to move.
I checked my runoff today and it is low (5.8) after being 6.6 going in. We are getting the same symptoms with different conditions so I don't know what to tell ya. keep workin on it. :thumbsup:

McDanger:
I just ordered SaferGro pH Down but won't have it for 5 day's or so. Can I use lemon juice or some other household remedy until then?

[McDanger]

McDanger:
I just ordered SaferGro pH Down but won't have it for 5 day's or so. Can I use lemon juice or some other household remedy until then?

I would use it with caution, one drop at a time and check ph after each drop.

[ditdotter]

You do not need any expensive ph down. Cheap apple cider vinegar will do the job nicely. This is what Mandala seeds recommends you use on their plants. Also ph the water after you add the nutes not before. My plants seem to like the ph set to 6.2 to 6.3.

[McDanger]

Never,
Are you still getting leaves with the problem? Old leaves will not get better.
I just did a mini flush on the 2 I have in flower and it seems I am in the same boat as you. pH 6.7 going in and 7.2 coming out so I think this may be a problem caused by too high pH. I think this is the same reason my clones are not making it. Mothers not in optimal health. I will not be using the soil mixture I made up in the future. This is my fault since I mixed the soil myself. I am 75% sure that at least my problem with this is caused by too much manure in the mix screwing everything up. I also checked my ppm. Going in is 160ppm dehumidifier water with the runoff at over 2400. I think the ph issue is causing lockout and the nutes are building up in the soil.
Just my :twocents:
It is odd that the leathery look does not start until there are 3 or 4 new nodes above it that look fine. At least I have somebody else to sort this out with since this does not seem common enough to find using the search function.
I'll check back in a couple days to see if it is getting any better.

[nevergetsold]

Never,
Are you still getting leaves with the problem? Old leaves will not get better.
I just did a mini flush on the 2 I have in flower and it seems I am in the same boat as you. pH 6.7 going in and 7.2 coming out so I think this may be a problem caused by too high pH. I think this is the same reason my clones are not making it. Mothers not in optimal health. I will not be using the soil mixture I made up in the future. This is my fault since I mixed the soil myself. I am 75% sure that at least my problem with this is caused by too much manure in the mix screwing everything up. I also checked my ppm. Going in is 160ppm dehumidifier water with the runoff at over 2400. I think the ph issue is causing lockout and the nutes are building up in the soil.
Just my :twocents:
It is odd that the leathery look does not start until there are 3 or 4 new nodes above it that look fine. At least I have somebody else to sort this out with since this does not seem common enough to find using the search function.
I'll check back in a couple days to see if it is getting any better.

McDanger:
The new leaves start out fine but as they age they develop the same darker green leathery look. The plant is 5-1/2 weeks old and is 9.5" which is guess is OK but I think it could be better if I could solve the problem. Based on your input and that of the other folks posting here, plus some searching, I have concluded that my problem may be a combination of a high pH, and a lack of potassium. By now it may be lacking the other nutrients as well. What I am going to do this weekend is feed it for the first time with my Pure Blend Pro Grow using a solution adjusted down to 6.0-6.5 pH, adjusted with vinegar. Since my tap water is around 7.5 that will hopefully pull down the pH. I'll take a few photos before and after and post them. Together we may solve this problem.
Tks

[nevergetsold]

You do not need any expensive ph down. Cheap apple cider vinegar will do the job nicely. This is what Mandala seeds recommends you use on their plants. Also ph the water after you add the nutes not before. My plants seem to like the ph set to 6.2 to 6.3.

Ditdotter: Thanks for the tip on the vinegar. I will try it this weekend. I already popped for the pH down but it won't arrive for several days. I will be posting results.