Slow death

[Marc Benson]

I've come to the conclusion that this plant is on it's way out. Really bums me out too as it's the first female I've had show it's head. I think it may have been pH that's hammered it as I haven't been fertilizing these things hardly at all (maybe that's the problem!) so it can't be fert burn. No way. And no I haven't been using Miracle Grow. Flushed it with pH adjusted water (6.6+) but that was only a few days ago but I thought that would take care of the necrosis and overall unhappy look of the fans. Not. In fact it seems like it's creeping into the secondary growth shoots too which is a real bummer. Anyone have any ideas?

Soil grow

405 watts of CFL's

75-80 degrees

46 days old

17 days in flower (since showed sex)

Have been giving it a low to medium dose of Schultz Cactus 2-7-7 once a week

Watering by weight

Water pH was high 7.5+ but gave it some adjusted water 6.6 last time which was a few days ago.

Other plant is fine although flowering super slow. Different strain. Don't know what strain these are. Bag seed.


Thanks!

Marc Benson Reviewed by Marc Benson on 09-13-2005. Slow death I've come to the conclusion that this plant is on it's way out. Really bums me out too as it's the first female I've had show it's head. I think it may have been pH that's hammered it as I haven't been fertilizing these things hardly at all (maybe that's the problem!) so it can't be fert burn. No way. And no I haven't been using Miracle Grow. Flushed it with pH adjusted water (6.6+) but that was only a few days ago but I thought that would take care of the necrosis and overall unhappy look of Rating: 5

[rysk8er420]

Maybe since it's not a cactus, i wouldnt use cactus ferts... And also u should consider using organic ferts like guanos, fish, seaweed, worm-castings, etc.

What size pots do u have the plants in, and whens the last time u repotted?

Did u mix anything into the soil, or just use straight storebought?

[mand]

Oh dear Marc , it's really upseting to see Amanda like that (is it Amanda?)


When I posted the question regarding the light bulb's I lost a crop and they looked exactely like that but they died very quickly.
My problem was that the bulbs were old and worn out Are yours ok?

Just a thought Marc .......................love mand xxx

[Slimpickuns]

Marc, I've been having the same problem, I think its either Nute burn or the pest spray i've been using, but i'm still not sure.

Mand, can light difficiancy cause such a problem?

[Marc Benson]

rysk8er420 thanks for the response.

Maybe since it's not a cactus, i wouldnt use cactus ferts... And also u should consider using organic ferts like guanos, fish, seaweed, worm-castings, etc.

A lot of people use the Schultz Cactus and are successful with it. And I've had quite a few people that are what anyone would call 'experts' say that this particular fert is fine to use. But yes, organics would be better. Next time.

What size pots do u have the plants in, and whens the last time u repotted?

Containers are 3 gallon. A size that once again most 'experts' suggest are fine. Transplanted after about 2 weeks after they sprouted.

Did u mix anything into the soil, or just use straight storebought?

No mixing. It's a 'pro mix' from a garden center. All organic no added nutes.

mand thanks for the response.

"My problem was that the bulbs were old and worn out Are yours ok?"

All bulbs are brand new. I had someone suggest this affliction was caused by lack of light but I've see a number of very successful grows with less than what I'm using. And I've got the bulbs right down on them with plenty of air movement. I've ruled out light starvation.

And yes...alas...it is Amanda.

Slimpickuns thanks for the response.

"I think its either Nute burn or the pest spray i've been using"

Can't be nute burn as I haven't fertilized it much. Could be a nute deficiency though because we newbies get hammered with "DON'T NUTE!" all the time. I think sometimes people then take it to the extreme and starve the plants. I had one plant that I hammered with ferts and it grew like you wouldn't believe. Then started reading everyones suggestions and cut that way back. Kinda makes a person think sometimes. But I understand that nute burn is a reality for a lot of people so it is a concern for all to consider.

As for the pest control spray, that's the only thing I can think it might be as I did spray it down with a product called Concern which is an insecticidal soap. Had what's called thrips. Little bastards that will ruin a grow if not kept in check so I had no other recourse but to hammer it. But rinsed it off well with clean water.

All that said I'm going to try some things today as it can't hurt. So will take it out of the grow area and foliar feed/wash the whole plant down. And as an experiment to this 'procedure' I took one of the fans and put it in a concentrated solution of 2-7-7 and water. Paid it right in a big pool of it on a plate. Left it there all night and this morning it actually looked healthier!! And this is one that's been hacked off the plant! So it sort of makes me wonder if it's not just starving. So I'll give it a buffet!

Sorry I'm so long winded. Curse of being able to type fast.

[HARDDON]

MB...

Have you tried taking the plant out of the pot to get a look at its roots structure? Just lift her out and take a pic of the rooting system. the colors of the roots can tell a lot as can the tendens coming off the main root stems can as well.

3 gallons is small...yes its doable as i have done, but i allowed for extra oxygen with the lava rock.....perhaps yours are oxygens starved.

You can take fishing rod and poke long holes all the way thru the soil to improve the O2 flow.

But i would love to see the root system.

Come now, show us amandas pretty little panties

[HARDDON]

Oh one more thing MB...

I dont think anyway in hell it is lack of ferts. Lack of ferts usually shows itself in a shitty grow, with few leaves and general lethargy in growth.

Yours appears robust in terms of foilage growth.

Or at least she was at one point.

Have you tried calling her dirty names

[Marc Benson]

Thanks for the replies HD.

I thought of the roots but so far every plant I've had to trash (males) I've taken the roots out of the soil, washed them off, and had a good look at them. For sure none were ever root bound. But me taking that thing out of the container and trying to take a photo of it while trying to hold it by myself (no one to help) would be about impossible. Might be able to be done but she's right at 30.5" tall right now from dirt to top of her giant resinous cola (ha). With lots of longer secondary shoots. Of course also with giant..resinous..colas. I guess I'm a pussy and scared to try by myself. Sorry.

And yes she has grown fairly well. Have really stayed away from any ferts though. Feeding very sparsely. Have been feeding the two the new pH adjusted water though, so I'm hoping this will help. And as a side note, the other plant, which was perfect with no yellowing or spots or anything, now has some forming that are almost black. Just on the larger fans. Start at the tips and go back towards the stems. And is always interesting that when something like this happens, I've noticed that the two sets of fans opposing each other coming from the same place on the main stem, are the ones to start acting up...together. Almost like something is coming up the main stalk and branching out at those fans specifically. Interesting, but a bummer.

Do you think some Superthrive could help? I know you like that stuff and the roots on your sog look very healthy.

And hey I did throw up some mylar!!! Actually an emergency blanket I had from a hunting trip in the mountains. What a difference that made vs. the back side of foil!! I guess I've learned my lesson there! But a question. I believe this is 1ml stuff. Do you think a cfl lying up against it would melt it? I've got it away from them now but was just a question I had.

And next week I think I'm going to get an HPS!! Yehaa!

Man I'm verbose!!!

[HARDDON]

A CFL can get hot enuff to melt anything, but it depends on the actual true wattage.

My 125W bulbs will leave blisters on my arms, but my 55W will not.

You can always lay some water heater blanket material betweent the bulb and the plastic. The heater blanket will insulate even from the heat of a MH or HPS

Superthrive is a great stress reducer / preventer and it couldnt possibly hurt your plants at this stage.

[Marc Benson]

Thanks HD! Nothing's touching now. Just wondered though how tough it was.

But seems like some good news to be told. I was desperate and was going to do something to this plant today. Didn't care if it killed it or made it worse. Something was going to happen. So this is what I did.

Mixed up some 6.6 pH water with 1/2 tsp of dish soap and 28 drops of Schutlz Cactus 2-7-7. Sprayed the crap out of it. Soaked it. Washed off the underneath side of all leaves. Went around it probably three times. Let it sit and dry for about an hour to make sure the flowers were dry inside too so they wouldn't burn when put back under the lights. All newer growth is standing up like it's in 7th Heaven!! Where before it was drooping. So am pumped to see a positive reaction from this foliar feed. Just went in and checked it again and even more leaves are perking up! KICK ASS!!! Maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel after all. Will keep you informed.

All that said it could still be a root problem as HD suggested. Possibly the plant just couldn't get enough nutrients through the root system as it is and the foliar spray fed it much needed nutes. So will get some Superthrive (if I can find it locally) and start using it in waterings.

Question though for you HD. Do you use it every water? And how much would you use for a plant such as this being it's 48th day and into flower for 15 days? THANKS!!