Plant Droopy & Older leaves yellowing..what should I do?

[dankuverymuch]

Hey folks,

I'm conducting a grow in a small tent with a 600w HPS (dimmed at 75%)

I'm growing four clones that I picked up from a dispensary about a week ago.

One of the plants was doing extremely well until today when I noticed it had started to droop. Also, its older leaves, which were once a lovely deep emerald, are now beginning to yellow.

I'm ruled out a couple of things (feel free to tell me if I'm wrong)
-Don't think it's underwatering because I generally water my plants every other day (based upon if the soil is dry ala knuckle test)
-I considered that it could be overwatering but the last time I watered my plant was 2 days ago so I figured I would've seen the symptoms sooner..right??
-I balance my waters PH to around 6 so don't think it's that
-I give my plants at least a week to settle before I add nutrients so I don't think its an overabundance of nutes...
-Don't think it's a root problem because the plant was doing well and I didn't need to leave the humidity dome on it very long as I do with most of my clones to ensure they transplant well..
-Temps are around 75 so I'm guessing they're okay?

So what could it be?
My tent is fairly small.. (4' wide, 4' tall, 2' across) and my light is pretty powerful (75% 600 HPS)..could the plant be receiving too much light/heat? should I dim it down to 50%?

Here's the plant (double dream which is a cross between blue dream & double star). It's a clone from a dispensary

 

[mike4c4]

they look dry to me

 

[Diabolical666]

IM going to say the opposite. You are probably overwatering and not giving them just enough water to dry out by feeding time. I wouldnt recommend feeding so young, but , its your plant. I save my nutes for flowertime or if they look like they are having a deficiency, I'll give a wee bit.

 

[Diabolical666]

 

[dankuverymuch]

IM going to say the opposite. You are probably overwatering and not giving them just enough water to dry out by feeding time. I wouldnt recommend feeding so young, but , its your plant. I save my nutes for flowertime or if they look like they are having a deficiency, I'll give a wee bit.

So I should be giving them water that has a PH of higher than 6 to ensure that runoff is at around 6? Last time I tested my runoff, it was around ~5.8 so maybe its too low?

Also, haven't fed them yet..was gonna wait at least a week to avoid shocking them.

Lastly, what should I do? Just wait it out till it dries itself?

 

[dankuverymuch]

Also, can I most probably rule heat stress out?

 

[Cpappa27]

I think its overwatering as well. There isn't much you can do other than let them dry out , perhaps bring your temps up a bit, not a lot a bit. Turn up the fans a little too they'll be fine.

 

[racerboy71]

So I should be giving them water that has a PH of higher than 6 to ensure that runoff is at around 6? Last time I tested my runoff, it was around ~5.8 so maybe its too low?

Also, haven't fed them yet..was gonna wait at least a week to avoid shocking them.

Lastly, what should I do? Just wait it out till it dries itself?

stop checking your run off imo.. it tells you nothing but the ph of your runoff, ie, it's a worthless number, and causes more issues then it helps..

 

[dankuverymuch]

I think its overwatering as well. There isn't much you can do other than let them dry out , perhaps bring your temps up a bit, not a lot a bit. Turn up the fans a little too they'll be fine.

Will the yellowed leaves remain active after the plant bounces back? Also, it's been about a day and the plants appearance looks around the same..not worse but not better..will it take a couple of days to recoop?

I'm assuming spraying them and putting a plastic bag on them for humidity won't do any good?

@racerboy71
Any suggestions for a good PH tester for soil that isn't expensive? I bought one off amazon for about 15 bucks and it turned out to be a dud

 

[Diabolical666]

So I should be giving them water that has a PH of higher than 6 to ensure that runoff is at around 6? Last time I tested my runoff, it was around ~5.8 so maybe its too low?

Also, haven't fed them yet..was gonna wait at least a week to avoid shocking them.

Lastly, what should I do? Just wait it out till it dries itself?

Follow the ph chart and dont worry about what runoff says. I get a very tiny amount of runoff, and only notice it when I come back an hour later to check. Let them dry out and start over with a lot less water. Let it dry out 75% before it gets more water everytime.

 

[Cpappa27]

If your worried about your ph level, then next time before you water it use some powdered or pulverized dolomitic lime, 2 tbs per gallon of soil. Put it right on top and use your fingers to mix it in then water it. Make sure its dolomitic lime. The finer the grade the better. You wont see immediate results but it will eventually bring your ph to a normal level if that's what you feel is wrong. Even if your Ph isn't far off the lime isn't really gonna hurt. Its hard to use too much of that. Good luck

 

[dankuverymuch]

Thanks for the advice so far guys..I'll definitely give the dolomitic lime a try..sounds like an easier way than having to rebalance the PH for every gallon I need.

Update:
Here ya go...Been about a day..so far the yellowing leaves have gotten more yellow but the other parts of the plants remain a
healthy green despite its droopy appearance..how many days should it take for the plant to bounce back?

Could it have something to do with my medium? I'm using 1/3 perlite, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 vermiculite