Leaf discoloration

[wildmustng87]

Hey everyone,

Sorry to make a new thread but the sticky for posting problems doesn't seem to get many responses, and I wasn't able to diagnose it after looking through the forums.

This is my second grow, but really my first real one. First time I just threw some seeds in a pot and put them outside and hoped for the best... they died lol. This time I am using CFLs in a closet grow room, following the Buds for Less book.

These plants are about a month old, were planted in Miracle gro potting soil with extra perlite added, and newspaper lining the pot to prevent the perlite from escaping through the rather large drainage holes in the pot I used.

The leaves are showing some yellow blotching between the veins (can easily be seen in the photos) and they are looking kind of bumpy/wrinkly (which can also be seen in the photos somewhat). I wanted to start flowering soon but I want to get a handle on this first.

Help is GREATLY appreciated, Thanks!!!!

 

[wildmustng87]

Sorry to bump this, can anyone please tell me what they think is wrong?

 

[hardroc]

could be the very starting of nute burn, what are you using for nutes? and is your soil time released ferts in it? How often do you water? It also could be a ph fluctuation

 

[Rusty Crutch]

Its nothing to worry about dude. Is it on the lower part of the plant? It could be a slight magnesium deficiency or you could be over feeding/watering it. How well does the pot drain now that you've blocked the holes?

 

[wildmustng87]

could be the very starting of nute burn, what are you using for nutes? and is your soil time released ferts in it? How often do you water? It also could be a ph fluctuation

When planting I mixed Miracle gro continual release plant food into the soil, and have not added anything more yet. the plant food has 10% N, 10% phosphate, 10% potash, and 20% total Sulfur. The plants are watered as needed, but they haven't been allowed to dry out too much (My roommate is taking care of them with me and I have told her not to water so much!) so if this could happen from overwatering that might be it. We use rain water, I haven't checked it in a while but the pH was remaining pretty constant in the soil, I will have to go check it now.

 

[wildmustng87]

Its nothing to worry about dude. Is it on the lower part of the plant? It could be a slight magnesium deficiency or you could be over feeding/watering it. How well does the pot drain now that you've blocked the holes?

well theres about 2inches of perlite in the bottom on the newspaper, and it drains just fine. Thats why I put the newspaper in, so the perlite wouldn't just run out the holes. It is actually on the entire plant, even the brand new leaves have a bit of yellowing like the leaves in the photos, that's why it alarmed me.

 

[hardroc]

yea, you gotta be careful with the time realeased nutes and soil, because they're released everytime you water them. That's why it's SUPER important not to water too much while using these nutes. Do you have any cal/mag? or epsom salts? next watering I'd use 1/2 a teaspoon of either in a gal of water. How old are your plants?

 

[wildmustng87]

yea, you gotta be careful with the time realeased nutes and soil, because they're released everytime you water them. That's why it's SUPER important not to water too much while using these nutes. Do you have any cal/mag? or epsom salts? next watering I'd use 1/2 a teaspoon of either in a gal of water. How old are your plants?

alright, I'll make sure we don't water until needed, and try the epsom salts. I would say they are about a month old, no older that 6 weeks.

 

[hardroc]

how long are you going to veg for?

 

[wildmustng87]

how long are you going to veg for?

Was planning on switching the light cycle to 12/12 today but I wasn't sure if I should until I got this problem solved... which it sounds like it is overwatering. I have read to start flowering early under CFLs because they don't penetrate that well.. so should I start flowering now? The plant is about 8in tall now.

 

[jawbrodt]

Looks like you are seeing the beginning of a magnesium deficiency. I'd start using some Cal-Mag with each feeding, and monitor the problem to make sure it doesn't get worse(assuming that the PH is okay, etc...).

 

[crazycanuk]

I have read to start flowering early under CFLs because they don't penetrate that well..

this can be fixed by adding more light, ones under the plant or from the side it dont hurt either, gets that light below that canopy you speak of.. since cfl's are cool you can get away with this

 

[hardroc]

you can start flowering whenever the nodes start to alternate. Just the longer you veg the more bud (most of the time),
How many cfls and what watt are you using?

 

[cannabluntcies]

time released nutes eh. Id back off on adding ferts to the soil and flush. that looks like mild salt buildup causing burn. It starts dark green (almost black) in color and progresses to yellow or dark amber spots.

yellowing between the veins sounds like lockout of magnesium or simply not enough present. Its always good to catch this shit before it progresses.

 

[wildmustng87]

you can start flowering whenever the nodes start to alternate. Just the longer you veg the more bud (most of the time),
How many cfls and what watt are you using?

right now I have 4 100watt equivalency bulbs on it, and I am about to put in a couple more on the sides. That was the highest wattage that I could find and on a low budget, I didn't want to order any.

For the nutes, I will go see if I can get the cal/mag from my local garden supply this evening. Thanks for all the help guys, any further input is still greatly appreciated

edit: I just checked the pH. The plant is in a 5gal pot thats about 8 inches tall. When I stick the tester in about 4 inches, the pH stays about 6.3 or so. If I push it down so its into the inch of perlite on the bottom (about 8inches from the top of the soil), the pH shoots down to about 5. I'm not sure how to fix this, or if I need to? I don't want to add something to raise the pH on the bottom and then have the pH too high towards the top because of it.. follow? If need be i could probably remove a good deal of the perlite through the drainage holes.. Any advice? lol sorry for so many questions!

 

[jawbrodt]

The best way to take care of that is to do a light flush with some water PH'ed around 6.8-7.0. Whenever I have problems similar to your's, I add a handful of dolomite like to the top of the souil before i flush, and that washes it down into the soil and does a really good job stabilizing the PH, keeping it within range.