First grow problems..what is it?What should I do?

CannaCountry said:

I don't use GH or Canna ( I use Jack's 3 2 1), but I've heard good things about both, so I wouldn't sweat using either or. As to rinsing out your coco before you use it... I know there are some brands that say they've been rinsed, buffered, etc, and just off assumption, I guess this is true. But for me; it makes more sense just to rinse the coco out, regardless of the manufacture's claim, if for just my own peace of mind. I use the dehydrated blocks myself which generally aren't noted as being rinsed, but I've also used higher end coco which was supposedly rinsed and I rinsed it myself anyhow. This is how I do it: I take a 4 - 5 gallon pot, line it with a cotton pillow case, pour in my coco and then rinse the heck out of it (just using my tap water) until all the tannins / color comes out of it. In other words, I rinse until the run off is clear. Now the coco has taken on the makeup of my tap water (probably @ 7.5 pH) Then I charge the coco by pouring feed through it. So for example, if I'm putting clones or older seedlings into the new coco, I'll mix up a 50% solution of feed and pour it through the coco, before putting the plants in it. Now the coco has pretty much taken on the makeup of my feed (5.8 pH). It will have the same relative pH as my feed and it will contain all the nutrients that make up my feed. Then I'll plant the clones, seedlings, whatever and feed again immediately. At this point the coco is pretty well rinsed, charged and at an ideal pH and nutrient range for the plants. When I do this, they won't miss a beat. If I fail to rinse, I will have issues, which will generally hinder the plants for a couple of weeks until things balance out. In a nut shell that's how I do things. I'm sure there are those who don't rinse, don't bother with the dehydrated blocks, only buy pre rinsed coco, rinse like hell, etc, etc, etc...this method works for me, but at the end of the day, it's all about skinning the cat, no matter the means. Hope this helps.

Click to expand...

CannaCountry said:

I don't use GH or Canna ( I use Jack's 3 2 1), but I've heard good things about both, so I wouldn't sweat using either or. As to rinsing out your coco before you use it... I know there are some brands that say they've been rinsed, buffered, etc, and just off assumption, I guess this is true. But for me; it makes more sense just to rinse the coco out, regardless of the manufacture's claim, if for just my own peace of mind. I use the dehydrated blocks myself which generally aren't noted as being rinsed, but I've also used higher end coco which was supposedly rinsed and I rinsed it myself anyhow. This is how I do it: I take a 4 - 5 gallon pot, line it with a cotton pillow case, pour in my coco and then rinse the heck out of it (just using my tap water) until all the tannins / color comes out of it. In other words, I rinse until the run off is clear. Now the coco has taken on the makeup of my tap water (probably @ 7.5 pH) Then I charge the coco by pouring feed through it. So for example, if I'm putting clones or older seedlings into the new coco, I'll mix up a 50% solution of feed and pour it through the coco, before putting the plants in it. Now the coco has pretty much taken on the makeup of my feed (5.8 pH). It will have the same relative pH as my feed and it will contain all the nutrients that make up my feed. Then I'll plant the clones, seedlings, whatever and feed again immediately. At this point the coco is pretty well rinsed, charged and at an ideal pH and nutrient range for the plants. When I do this, they won't miss a beat. If I fail to rinse, I will have issues, which will generally hinder the plants for a couple of weeks until things balance out. In a nut shell that's how I do things. I'm sure there are those who don't rinse, don't bother with the dehydrated blocks, only buy pre rinsed coco, rinse like hell, etc, etc, etc...this method works for me, but at the end of the day, it's all about skinning the cat, no matter the means. Hope this helps.

Click to expand...

CannaCountry said:

I don't use GH or Canna ( I use Jack's 3 2 1), but I've heard good things about both, so I wouldn't sweat using either or. As to rinsing out your coco before you use it... I know there are some brands that say they've been rinsed, buffered, etc, and just off assumption, I guess this is true. But for me; it makes more sense just to rinse the coco out, regardless of the manufacture's claim, if for just my own peace of mind. I use the dehydrated blocks myself which generally aren't noted as being rinsed, but I've also used higher end coco which was supposedly rinsed and I rinsed it myself anyhow. This is how I do it: I take a 4 - 5 gallon pot, line it with a cotton pillow case, pour in my coco and then rinse the heck out of it (just using my tap water) until all the tannins / color comes out of it. In other words, I rinse until the run off is clear. Now the coco has taken on the makeup of my tap water (probably @ 7.5 pH) Then I charge the coco by pouring feed through it. So for example, if I'm putting clones or older seedlings into the new coco, I'll mix up a 50% solution of feed and pour it through the coco, before putting the plants in it. Now the coco has pretty much taken on the makeup of my feed (5.8 pH). It will have the same relative pH as my feed and it will contain all the nutrients that make up my feed. Then I'll plant the clones, seedlings, whatever and feed again immediately. At this point the coco is pretty well rinsed, charged and at an ideal pH and nutrient range for the plants. When I do this, they won't miss a beat. If I fail to rinse, I will have issues, which will generally hinder the plants for a couple of weeks until things balance out. In a nut shell that's how I do things. I'm sure there are those who don't rinse, don't bother with the dehydrated blocks, only buy pre rinsed coco, rinse like hell, etc, etc, etc...this method works for me, but at the end of the day, it's all about skinning the cat, no matter the means. Hope this helps.

Click to expand...

CannaCountry said:

Good Morning Vinny. To answer your question, no I don't let the coco dry out before planting in it. All of the rinsing, charging/ buffering and planting all take place on the same day, ideally within the same hour or so of time it takes to do it all. Coco drains well enough that letting it dry out isn't necessary. In fact you don't ever want your coco to dry out...it will cause you all kinds of issues. Always keep it moist. As to your pictures, though it's difficult to say exactly, especially with the lighting, if you didn't rinse your coco and recharge it, it's possible to have several issues. From what I can see, and again, remember I'm sitting at home, I'm not in front of your grow, but I'd lean towards a Mg issue. I would treat it with epsom salt (Mg and Sulfur), if your current nutrients don't afford you much of it. Check your feed to see how much Mg is in it and go from there (I would do this for Calcium as well. Coco hogs up both nutrients and is very stubborn in letting it go, which is why both elements are very important in the proper quantities). Lastly, while I appreciate your compliment, I really couldn't give you an answer to how many plants in your tent and the expected yield. There are way too many variables for me to say. You could grow one monster bush or throw in (25) little plants; it all depends on what you think you'd like. Yields are also too relative in terms of saying what you'd get in that area. If you're just growing for yourself, I'd simply say, with your area and equipment; you should never run out of smoke again...ever. Good luck.

Click to expand...

CannaCountry said:

Not too surprising really, Vinny. Coco hogs up Mg and Calcium and is reluctant to release it to your plants. This is why so many people add CalMg to their nutrient line up. Couple that with unwashed, unbuffered coco and deficiencies in these two elements will indeed happen. I don't recall what you're feeding your girls, but you can always add calcium to your lineup if you feel you need it. Based on what you're saying, it's pretty clear you do. I can tell you're gaining on it, so just keep watching your girls and doing your research. You'll be fine.

Click to expand...

CannaCountry said:

Yeah, I hear you. There are lots of 'general' statements that can be made about growing plants, cannabis, whatever, but in the end, each plant will prove to be different. In fact, I've found, even among clones of the same mother, feeding habits can and will differ between each plant. In my case, being I run an automatic dripper system, I take the averages and go with it. If I'm way off on one plant, I'll make the changes to suit it as best I can, but yeah...it's all about the plant and what you observe. Keep watching your girls and give your new nutrients a chance to work for you. Have a great day / evening.

Click to expand...