(first grow) Lower leaves only are yellowing

[eccentric]

Hi all,

This is my first time trying to grow. I have two plants (ministry "carnival" strain) which are ~3 weeks old each. One plant has been doing much better than the other ever since they popped out of the soil, as you can see in the first pic. In the last few days, they've both started seriously yellowing and drooping in their lower leaves, though the top ones still seem quite healthy. I've read a lot of problem-diagnosing threads but have no idea what to think. I'm no gardener! I'd really appreciate the opinions of you experienced folks.

Some details (exactly the same for both plants):

Light: 10k lum, 2'x1' in a closet, flo. t5 bulbs (18/6 cycle)
Soil: probably around 20%perlite, 30% plain "top soil", 50% MG organic potting soil (with veg nutes enough for "2mo" as the bag claims)...
Watering: My last attempt, both plants suddenly died of underwatering. I suspect I was not watering enough each time, though I was watering every-day. This time I've been watering each plant exactly the same: between every day and every other day depending on soil dryness. But each time I soak the soil until water drips out the bottom. 2 weeks ago I got a cheap ph kit and have been keeping all the incoming water at 6.5ph. I don't know how to test the soil, but I bought all the stuff at the store, so it should be good...
Air: I have a cheap 80cfm fan pulling air through a carbon filter and out of the closet; kinda whimpy but it should be providing decent air exchange...


I've attached some pics. I'd really love specific advice. Thanks!! :jointsmile:

eccentric Reviewed by eccentric on 02-18-2011. (first grow) Lower leaves only are yellowing Hi all, This is my first time trying to grow. I have two plants (ministry "carnival" strain) which are ~3 weeks old each. One plant has been doing much better than the other ever since they popped out of the soil, as you can see in the first pic. In the last few days, they've both started seriously yellowing and drooping in their lower leaves, though the top ones still seem quite healthy. I've read a lot of problem-diagnosing threads but have no idea what to think. I'm no gardener! I'd Rating: 5

[bkbbudz]

how many t5s? 2 foot or 4 foot? how far are they from the girls? There is a ton of info available on this and many other sites on line. GL! :thumbsup:

[MEDEDCANNABIS]

Hi all,

This is my first time trying to grow. I have two plants (ministry "carnival" strain) which are ~3 weeks old each. One plant has been doing much better than the other ever since they popped out of the soil, as you can see in the first pic. In the last few days, they've both started seriously yellowing and drooping in their lower leaves, though the top ones still seem quite healthy. I've read a lot of problem-diagnosing threads but have no idea what to think. I'm no gardener! I'd really appreciate the opinions of you experienced folks.

Some details (exactly the same for both plants):

Light: 10k lum, 2'x1' in a closet, flo. t5 bulbs (18/6 cycle)
Soil: probably around 20%perlite, 30% plain "top soil", 50% MG organic potting soil (with veg nutes enough for "2mo" as the bag claims)...
Watering: My last attempt, both plants suddenly died of underwatering. I suspect I was not watering enough each time, though I was watering every-day. This time I've been watering each plant exactly the same: between every day and every other day depending on soil dryness. But each time I soak the soil until water drips out the bottom. 2 weeks ago I got a cheap ph kit and have been keeping all the incoming water at 6.5ph. I don't know how to test the soil, but I bought all the stuff at the store, so it should be good...
Air: I have a cheap 80cfm fan pulling air through a carbon filter and out of the closet; kinda whimpy but it should be providing decent air exchange...


I've attached some pics. I'd really love specific advice. Thanks!! :jointsmile:

well ph could be a factor, however id say your overwatering now. topsoil may be too rich. you definately you need to transplant. they are short and bushy with thick stalks, that means more roots. most bottom leaves yellow and die through attrition so dont worry too much. just dont overcompensate. use an oscillating fan also.

[eccentric]

The t5s are sorta U-shaped with a special plug (2g11 or something like that, if I remember). They are each 2' long. I'm keeping the light around 1-2" from the top of the taller one. Last time around I had it probably a foot away, but I think this was a mistake.

I was thinking they'd need to be re-planted soon: should I be using the same soil as before, or do you think that it was no good? Any way for me to test the soil's PH with my ph kit? It requires me to put a liquid into a clear container and mix in a chemical that changes it's color. I think it's meant for water and hydroponic solutions.

I have some containers that around around 1-1.2gallons, but perhaps they are too small. How large should I let these get so they'll both fit under my 1'x2' light, before flowering? And then based on this, how large of contaners should I be using to transplant them into?

I can appreciate that the lower leafs might naturally die, but they are also turning yellow, which seems like some kind of more serious problem. And the smaller plant does look more entirely droopy and unhealthy. Any ideas?

Thanks for the continued help!!

[bkbbudz]

so how many lights do you have? what 'color' are they? I agree with the transplant thoughts. But on first thought w/o knowing what the lighting is it also sounds like you may not have enough. Maybe I just don't understand the measurement 1' x 2' for the light? the room? what's the code? LOL!

[eccentric]

so how many lights do you have? what 'color' are they? I agree with the transplant thoughts. But on first thought w/o knowing what the lighting is it also sounds like you may not have enough. Maybe I just don't understand the measurement 1' x 2' for the light? the room? what's the code? LOL!

The lamp is 1 foot wide, by 2 feet long (= 1'x2'), and is white light (6400k I believe). The lamp has two bulbs in it, each 2' long, each putting out 5000 lum (From what i've read 5000lum per sq. ft. should be fine). I bought two replacement bulbs which are the same, except 3000k and orange spectrum for bloom. Right now my plants are only 3weeks old or so.

The "room" is a closet, probably 5 foot wide, 2 foot deep, 8 foot tall, by my guesstimation.

[cturner1984]

i have the same problem everytime i use a soil with added nutes.
as there so small watering often releases the nutes and the leaves just yellow
tried and tested used a soil with no nutes and no yellow leaves.
dont worry about it just pull them off,aslong as no more go yellow its all good:thumbsup: