Sudden problems? Water ph testing! Nutrient lockout? Advice needed :3

cannabineer

cannabineer

Ursus marijanus
sailormoon said:
Makes sense.
Unfortunately if I were to order a TDS meter online it would probably take 2-3 weeks to get here which might be too long for my plants considering their current state. Are there any alternatives for the time being?
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Flush your plant and let dry.

I would like to know more about your water's quality, if possible. Can you get a local/municipal water analysis report? I'm especially interested in TDS and sodium. cn
 
sailormoon

sailormoon

Member
Ok I know Im not making this ANY easier for you guys but unfortunately my city's water analysis is only in french..

However.. Im going to try and find the info and post it here translated :)
 
jpeg666

jpeg666

Well-Known Member
Like he said measuring runoff gives key information when it comes to salt build up and lock out.....If you measure the runoff and it comes out to 6000PPM you are saying that tells you absolutely nothing while your plant is suffering and burning alive and you are wondering why?
 
VICTORYGARDENSHYDRO

VICTORYGARDENSHYDRO

New Member
jpeg666 said:
Like he said measuring runoff gives key information when it comes to salt build up and lock out.....If you measure the runoff and it comes out to 6000PPM you are saying that tells you absolutely nothing while your plant is suffering and burning alive and you are wondering why?
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if your runoff comes out at 6000ppm, you should give up growing.
 
HeartlandHank

HeartlandHank

Well-Known Member
CN won't steer you in the wrong direction. But, did anyone suggest checking for root pests?
It's that time of year when everyone who got root aphids over the summer starts seeing an explosive population. Sudden yellowing, necrosis, deficiencies, slow growth. It can be many things, but root aphids is one of them. Root Aphids LOVE peat based mixes.

I have pretty good control on the salt build up thing... but both times I have seen those symptoms in the past it was RAs. This is why I suggested the possibility.
 
cannabineer

cannabineer

Ursus marijanus
sailormoon said:
Well I'm impressed so far! :)

I found the water quality report in english! Here's a screenshot with some of the info :)


View attachment 2396031
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Thank you for that! Unfortunately it didn't tell me one very big thing ... sodium content. I'm finding out water companies aren't required to state it.
OK what i do see is water with an acceptable level of solids and hardness. I'm intrigued by the high chloride reading and wonder if it implies sodium.

But the bottom line is ... pretty good water imo. cn

<edit> Thanks for the compliment, Hank!
sailormoon, when the soil is only moist, you can work the plant out of its pot far enough to inspect. I've never had a root bug issue, so my instincts run toward ion balance and getting it under control.
 
HeartlandHank

HeartlandHank

Well-Known Member
sailormoon said:
How would I check for root aphids? Take my plant out of the pot or dig or ?
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It is probably not the case... but.... if you carefully slide the plant out of the pot and check the rootball you will be able to tell.
Look for little crawling pests... they can be white, black or green. Also look for a waxy substance concentrated in one area. Usually, like the size of a US quarter.
It's worth a quick check. But most likely you have salt buildups and CN can help you with that.

They can be super small and hard to see... so just stare in one spot for about 10 seconds... you'll see movement somewhere, then you can take a closer look in that area... sounds stupid, but they are so small... it helps. They are usually about 3 inches below the soil line.

If you do not have a good set of roots... don't risk having your rootball fall apart.
 
sailormoon

sailormoon

Member
Thanks guys for all your help :) I really appreciate it.

I didn't send you the whole report! there is a reading for Sodium. Sorry about that.
Here's the rest of it:
waterquality22011.jpg

I will check my soil for aphids but I'm worried about taking the plant out and causing additional stress.. Maybe i'll wait until the soil dries up more and it should be easier to take the rootball out then? :)
 
HeartlandHank

HeartlandHank

Well-Known Member
sailormoon said:
Thanks guys for all your help :) I really appreciate it.

I didn't send you the whole report! there is a reading for Sodium. Sorry about that.
Here's the rest of it:
View attachment 2396072

I will check my soil for aphids but I'm worried about taking the plant out and causing additional stress.. Maybe i'll wait until the soil dries up more and it should be easier to take the rootball out then? :)
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Good idea... really, if you have a huge population you would see them crawling on the rim of the pots... they can be super small, so stare for a good 15 seconds at the rim and watch for the smallest amount of movement. Sliding the rootball out is not worth it at that age, you're right. Good luck.
 
cannabineer

cannabineer

Ursus marijanus
sailormoon said:
Thanks guys for all your help :) I really appreciate it.

I didn't send you the whole report! there is a reading for Sodium. Sorry about that.
Here's the rest of it:
View attachment 2396072

I will check my soil for aphids but I'm worried about taking the plant out and causing additional stress.. Maybe i'll wait until the soil dries up more and it should be easier to take the rootball out then? :)
Click to expand...
Oh good. Sodium is present but not in worrisome amounts. You have nice trace ions there ... sulfate, magnesium, silica ... all good.

If I were asked for my advice at this moment, it would be Flush your plant. This means slowly passing three (or so) pot volumes of water through the soil from top to bottom, being sure to catch the edges and corners ... because that's where a salt buildup tends to be worst.

Once you've done that, give the plant a day or more to recover.

To inspect the roots ... it's like a massage. You're manipulating the plant but not injuring it, so long as you work firmly but carefully. Knead the pot a bit (I am assuming plastic and not terra cotta!) until the soil/rootball releases. This is best done when the soil is not wet but not fully dry. Then grasp the base of the stem and pull gently, steadily. Your roots should be revealed. cn
 
sailormoon

sailormoon

Member
Thank you so much guys :)
I am going to try flushing them and i'll update you shortly.
When do you recommend I start feeding again? Do you recommend I switch to a different fertilizer? (I was considering plant prod because it contains micronutrients..Like I mentioned previously I really don't have access to anything good here unfortunately).
Will it be dangerous to flush them considering I just watered them 2 days ago and the soil is still moist?
 
timbo123

timbo123

Active Member
sailormoon said:
Hey, thank you so much for the advice :)

I contacted the company about what sort of lime and how much they use and never got an answer unfortunately.
I will pick up a higher quality fertilizer containing micro nutrients and give that a shot.

I am not sure if I am over watering because I usually water once a week or basically whenever I notice the top 1-2" are dry.

What do you think about my runoff results? I find those quite alarming (for the water in of 7.6 to come out 6.0..)

Thanks again :)
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I believe that you just identified your problem. I am no expert but I think "water in of 7.6" is WAY too HIGH. I have seen plants experience similar symptoms being watered from an aquarium (no ph testing on water in due to no ph meter). After getting a ph meter with a quickness... it was determined water in was 8.1... some research led me to believe water in should be more like 6 ph. After making sure to lower the water ph to 6 prior to watering or feeding... they greened back up and started growing like mad.
 
jpeg666

jpeg666

Well-Known Member
No just flush them ASAP, they need to be waterlogged for a bit before it becomes detrimental
 
jpeg666

jpeg666

Well-Known Member
timbo123 said:
I believe that you just identified your problem. I am no expert but I think "water in of 7.6" is WAY too HIGH. I have seen plants experience similar symptoms being watered from an aquarium (no ph testing on water in due to no ph meter). After getting a ph meter with a quickness... it was determined water in was 8.1... some research led me to believe water in should be more like 6 ph. After making sure to lower the water ph to 6 prior to watering or feeding... they greened back up and started growing like mad.
Click to expand...
Her ph is at 6....You can water soil with 7.6 ph water with no problems the soil and amendments buffer it....There is no need to PH your water at 7.6 if you are using a decent soil....you are just wasting time and resources on an extra step
 
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