Help diagnosing a problem

[batf1nk]

Hi RIU,

I have been a long time reader and have read a wealth of great information from the site archives. This is my first time posting my own thread so here goes.

I am 4 weeks into my first grow in a 15 liter DWC system growing Nirvana AK48. A problem has developed in the last week that I suspect is Mg deficiency as I'm using RO water and an initial problems with my EC/PH meter cant have helped (I have now replaced those crappy ebay things for a bluelab combo meter)

This morning I have drained the res and added just RO water and epsom salts at a dosage of 1 tablespoon per gallon. Really I just want clarification that I'm doing the right thing.

Here is a picture. All help much appreciated.

 

[batf1nk]

Here is another picture. I think i have a couple of issues here, zinc or iron def also maybe, wtf I dont know lol! Could all be down to my PH meter being crap to begin with who knows, well who?

 

[batf1nk]

And another 2 so you guys have enough to work with.

 

[batf1nk]

Thanks for all the help!! Don't all rush lol

 

[Alaric]

Using ro is a good way to start-----but you have to build the micro amd macro elements back.

I've run GH micro and bloom mostly----had to add cal-mag during veg and monsterbloom during flowering.

That could also be nitrogen deficiency

keep your water temp down

 

[Phillip J Fry]

why epsom salt? What other nutes you got?

 

[batf1nk]

Ok,

While I get used to all this I decided to use a cheaper nutrient, the Ionic range. Now there is no dates of any kind on the bottles so already im looking for another brand for next grow, for now, im sticking with them. Anyway I think alot of my issue to start was Ph due to a crap meter and now I have the Bluelab it has settled my mind. To start my ph was being set by me according to my meter, over time and me doing this wrong I think I had a lock out.

Dumped the Epsom salts (which I used as a quick grab as cant find any cal/mg here) and flushed the girls for 24 hours in RO. They are now sitting in fresh nutes, EC is @ 1.8 ph is @ 5.9

What would normally cause the lime green leaves appearing in the new growth? Or am I on the right path thinking I fucked up by cheaping out.

 

[*BUDS]

Get another meter and find out.

 

[hellraizer30]

when my leaves look that way I up the nitrogen and give them a blast of magical and I always aviod epson salts

 

[namtih024]

i dont think its mg if it was the yellowing would be more prominant in the center of the leaves while the veins and outsides remained dark green, this appears to only have dark veins and slight yellowing completley around them. you should have mentioned it was only newer growth in the original post as this means that it is a mobile nutrient defficency. im thinking its prob one of the big ones like nitrogen or phosphorus.
your on the right track, as anytime something looks fishy its best to flush and clean your system, though i prob would have left out the epsom salt.
if your current actions dont fix the problem i reccomend finding a new nutrient. make sure you have a stand alone well balanced hydro nutrient. there are several out there, i have always used CANNA aqua vega (two part) for vegging and aqua flores (two part) for flower.
good luck those plants will prob recover quickly as they dont seem too stressed.

 

[batf1nk]

Thanks for the reply's guys, I will not use epsom salts again, a mate told me not to but I read quite alot of (dis)information on the interwebz that backed it up. I have heard "super thrive" is a good additive, any one have experience of it?

I am seriously doubting the nutrients I am using though now, I think someone has sold me some dodgy stuff lol.

A few leaves have started turning lime green, best to just show you chaps. I have borrowed a verified ok nutrient from a friend so will dump the res and use this other one ASAP. Update pics below.

 

[batf1nk]

i dont think its mg if it was the yellowing would be more prominant in the center of the leaves while the veins and outsides remained dark green, this appears to only have dark veins and slight yellowing completley around them. you should have mentioned it was only newer growth in the original post as this means that it is a mobile nutrient defficency. im thinking its prob one of the big ones like nitrogen or phosphorus.
your on the right track, as anytime something looks fishy its best to flush and clean your system, though i prob would have left out the epsom salt.
if your current actions dont fix the problem i reccomend finding a new nutrient. make sure you have a stand alone well balanced hydro nutrient. there are several out there, i have always used CANNA aqua vega (two part) for vegging and aqua flores (two part) for flower.
good luck those plants will prob recover quickly as they dont seem too stressed.

Ive been looking at the canna range. As I'm using DWC the aqua not the hydro is the one to go for yeah? Is it good for use with RO water?

So much disinformation out there it gets very confusing without actual gardeners input so I appreciate all reply's guys.

 

[nog]

the original pictures were classic Mg defficiency, the last pics look as if there are new issues, the main reasons i have found for Mg def are too much calcium, and low ph. GH nutes are notorious for needing a cal-mag boost during flowering, and many other nutes have insufficient Mg for MJ, try and keep the nutes to lowish levels in DWC, i have gone all the way to harvest and never gone above EC 0.850, using the same nutes all the way through and still pulled > 120 grams off a plant.

 

[batf1nk]

the original pictures were classic Mg defficiency, the last pics look as if there are new issues, the main reasons i have found for Mg def are too much calcium, and low ph. GH nutes are notorious for needing a cal-mag boost during flowering, and many other nutes have insufficient Mg for MJ, try and keep the nutes to lowish levels in DWC, i have gone all the way to harvest and never gone above EC 0.850, using the same nutes all the way through and still pulled > 120 grams off a plant.

See another thing is dosage on the back of the IONIC bottle advises 7ml - litre, this brings the EC up to 2.0 (which again is on the bottle as being the correct EC).

 

[kevin murphy]

hi pal thanks for the message but im not experienced enough on hydro to give opions but ill help in any way i can.

 

[batf1nk]

Thanks Kevin, just has me stumped, new to all this so I really am confused. So much disinformation around.

 

[bigoberry]

I guess you've ruled out that it could be insect damage? Check the underside of the leaves, several leaves and see if there are any buggers hanging about. It looks like possible spider mite damage in the pics. Good luck bro!

 

[batf1nk]

I guess you've ruled out that it could be insect damage? Check the underside of the leaves, several leaves and see if there are any buggers hanging about. It looks like possible spider mite damage in the pics. Good luck bro!

Yeah I had a good check and cant see any buggers.

New growth is coming through a nice dark green now. Since last update I've dumped the res, been using SuperThrive, and taken the nutrients down to EC 1.5. Plants seem to be responding in the new areas of growth so will keep an eye over this week and report back.