Leaves turning yellow, dying from the bottom up (pix included)

[elimuir]

Hi,

This is my first grow... I've done a lot of reading on the subject before I jumped in, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what is going on here.

My 6 week old plant seems to have leaves turning yellow, then dying from the bottom up. The Ph seems to range from 6 to 6.5 when I test, so I do not think it's that. I'm not overdoing it with nutrients. I water every 4 to 7 days, depending on how quickly the dirt dries out.

Is this something that is natural? Something to be concerned about?

The first picture shows the plant in general, the second shows the leaves on the bottom turning yellow.

elimuir Reviewed by elimuir on 02-12-2012. Leaves turning yellow, dying from the bottom up (pix included) Hi, This is my first grow... I've done a lot of reading on the subject before I jumped in, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what is going on here. My 6 week old plant seems to have leaves turning yellow, then dying from the bottom up. The Ph seems to range from 6 to 6.5 when I test, so I do not think it's that. I'm not overdoing it with nutrients. I water every 4 to 7 days, depending on how quickly the dirt dries out. Is this something that is natural? Something to be Rating: 5

[bashmans]

i wouldnt be too concerned, the plant is looking well. i would put it down to nutrient strength. try just plain water for a feed or two to flush out any build up of salts etc. either that or possible slight heat stress?

im not the most experienced but thought id give an opinion seen as though no one has contributed yet.

apart from the slight burn its a nice plant. good work!!

[elimuir]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I wasn't sure if that was a common thing or not, so you've put my mind to rest.

Also, thanks for giving me the tip on the burn. I wasn't sure what was causing that (or if it was burn). I have since moved my light source higher. Out of curiosity, how much space do you usually allow for between the plant and the bulb? I had it at 2 to 3", but the burn seems to point out that it's too close.

Cheers.

[polishpollack]

Well hate to say this but bashman isn't right. It's not burn, you have a low nitrogen condition in your soil. In times like this I usually recommend people use Dynagro 7-9-5 as it is a complete fert, having the calcium and magnesium needed, along with the other nutes. It's kind of pricey as you get a rather big bottle for just one or two plants, but the good news is it will solve you fertilizer issues. Just follow the instructions on the back where you use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of fert in a gallon of water. I'd probably go with 1/2 tsp as it looks like your plant needs a shot of nitrogen. The yellow on the lower leaves indicate that your problem is too little nitrogen in the soil, not too much. Just be careful how much fert you use in the future as you can easily overdo it. The leaf tip burn that bashman mentions isn't from the light. It's caused by an over-fert condition but as I mention, this isn't your problem. Flushing the soil will only make things worse. Give some dynagro fert from your local hydro shop and you'll see the plant green up in a couple of days.

[PhatJay]

Also, thanks for giving me the tip on the burn.

I think bashmans was referring to the nute burn (the brown tips on the end of the leaves) this is caused by your feed being a little bit too strong. Heat stress will show as a "lip" forming on the edge of the leaves.

You ask what height to put your light at but you don't mention what kind of light. I am assuming it is CFL, if you want some decent answers, provide some better information.

[elimuir]

Well hate to say this but bashman isn't right. It's not burn, you have a low nitrogen condition in your soil. In times like this I usually recommend people use Dynagro 7-9-5 as it is a complete fert, having the calcium and magnesium needed, along with the other nutes. It's kind of pricey as you get a rather big bottle for just one or two plants, but the good news is it will solve you fertilizer issues. Just follow the instructions on the back where you use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of fert in a gallon of water. I'd probably go with 1/2 tsp as it looks like your plant needs a shot of nitrogen. The yellow on the lower leaves indicate that your problem is too little nitrogen in the soil, not too much. Just be careful how much fert you use in the future as you can easily overdo it. The leaf tip burn that bashman mentions isn't from the light. It's caused by an over-fert condition but as I mention, this isn't your problem. Flushing the soil will only make things worse. Give some dynagro fert from your local hydro shop and you'll see the plant green up in a couple of days.

Thanks for the suggestion. I picked some up today... we'll see how it goes.

[elimuir]

I think bashmans was referring to the nute burn (the brown tips on the end of the leaves) this is caused by your feed being a little bit too strong. Heat stress will show as a "lip" forming on the edge of the leaves.

You ask what height to put your light at but you don't mention what kind of light. I am assuming it is CFL, if you want some decent answers, provide some better information.

Yes, CLFs. I didn't know there was different heights for different bulbs.

[PhatJay]

Yes, CLFs. I didn't know there was different heights for different bulbs.

During veg/flower for best results you should aim for 2-4" in my experience. A lot will depend on how good the airflow and extraction is within your setup and what size bulbs you are using. If you see a lip forming on the edge of your leaves they are getting a little too warm. If you do try and keep your lights really close, be extra careful during first 2 weeks of flower when the plants are stretching, you will find yourself having to adjust your lights every 1 or 2 days.

[polishpollack]

Leaf tip burn isn't usually caused by heat. It's too much nitrogen. The yellowing that shows on the upper leaves is mimics overfert but it's actually the same yellowing that is down below. In time, the rest of the leaves will turn yellow. If the leaf tips turn yellow, then brown, that's overfert. Let us know what happens after some dynagrow.

[elimuir]

During veg/flower for best results you should aim for 2-4" in my experience. A lot will depend on how good the airflow and extraction is within your setup and what size bulbs you are using. If you see a lip forming on the edge of your leaves they are getting a little too warm. If you do try and keep your lights really close, be extra careful during first 2 weeks of flower when the plants are stretching, you will find yourself having to adjust your lights every 1 or 2 days.

Thanks for your input. I was trying to stay to the 2" rule but got a little worried with the leaf tip browning, which I then moved them to about 4", but seeing that is most likely a fert issue I've gone back to 2". Thanks mate.