Guide to Nutrient Deficiency or Toxicity

ginganuts

Member
Im still struggling to diagnose this problem , no matter how many times i read this thread or others. Either, its ph spotting before lockout, pottassium deficiency or calcium deficiency. Would really appreciate some advice as im a complete newbie and only on my second grow, with no experience whatsoever in diagnosing plant ailments. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 

ginganuts

Member
On one plant out of 17, i dont think its bugs or they would all be infested. ive had sticky strips in my tent from the start and keep a clean, sealed enviroment, not seen any bugs or flys. Ive lowered the ph of my tap water, given them a good dose of flores. Ordered some cal mag and alfalfa meal.
 

ginganuts

Member
I read in this thread that taking pics with the incandescent light on my camera would be ok as its a worse picture with lights off, have tried and pictures shit. They are slight scattered light green spots, how greatly will the lights off help you diagnose this problem, you either know or you dont.
 

Crankyxr

Well-Known Member
I read in this thread that taking pics with the incandescent light on my camera would be ok as its a worse picture with lights off, have tried and pictures shit. They are slight scattered light green spots, how greatly will the lights off help you diagnose this problem, you either know or you dont.
Well, it's hard seeing different colors in a picture with an HPS on...
If the spots are rust colored, you have a cal/mag issue, if they're brown it could be burns, etc. etc.
 

ginganuts

Member
Well, it's hard seeing different colors in a picture with an HPS on...
If the spots are rust colored, you have a cal/mag issue, if they're brown it could be burns, etc. etc.
With the incandescent light on it shouldnt be, unless your colour blind ;-)
 

grow4fun420

Active Member
Very informational dude! I found this very useful as I'm dealing with a couple deficiencies at the moment and thanks to this, I doubt they'll be an issue anymore :wall:
 

Jeff&Frank

Active Member
I would just like to say... Nick17gar, what a brilliant comprehensive guide you have written. i have found it most helpful. As a first timer I definitely have a lot anxiety.
 

MikeJoes

Active Member
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Could anyone tell me whats wrong with my seedling. Its my first grow and after looking at this thread and many others i think its a Magnesium deficiency caused ultimately a low ph. I have no grow shops in town so i'm waiting till thanksgiving to leave town and get a legit ph kit. Till then ive decided to use baking soda in the water i feed it. I also mixed some epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) i already had for cleaning my bong in with some water and sprayed the seedling. I just did all the things i just said, so i don't know if i'm right or not. And like i said, first grow, so im no super confident in anything and would appreciate any help.
 

nick17gar

Well-Known Member
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Could anyone tell me whats wrong with my seedling. Its my first grow and after looking at this thread and many others i think its a Magnesium deficiency caused ultimately a low ph. I have no grow shops in town so i'm waiting till thanksgiving to leave town and get a legit ph kit. Till then ive decided to use baking soda in the water i feed it. I also mixed some epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) i already had for cleaning my bong in with some water and sprayed the seedling. I just did all the things i just said, so i don't know if i'm right or not. And like i said, first grow, so im no super confident in anything and would appreciate any help.

STOP!

that plant is too small for any chemistry
. For seeds, get good dirt. nothing too highly active. maybe even just some potting soil, in a small container (i use an egg-crate shaped plastic thing), and nothing else.

just let them grow, im guessing those have 2-3 weeks or so, since you stuck the seed in the ground, so no worries. they do wierd things that early on, and adding or messing w nutrients this early is tough. besides that, they are so small that 1 drop of something might take a deficiency, and change it to a toxic abundance.

just trust in mother nature (and a good plant nursery) and let high quality dirt handle it for now. once its bigger, about a foot, and has 3-4 levels of leaves, and a pot bigger than a dixie cup, then start messing w chems or nutrients.

give them strong light, a lil wind, clean water, and patience
 

nick17gar

Well-Known Member
I would just like to say... Nick17gar, what a brilliant comprehensive guide you have written. i have found it most helpful. As a first timer I definitely have a lot anxiety.

thanks! welcome to RIU!

half the reason i wrote it was to combine all the pics/info on one page, for personal use. then they made it a sticky, and months later it still helping people!
 

Daniel710

Member
Need some help don't know what's wrong with them I think it's a nitrogen deficiency! There both the same age about 1 month old! Ones bigger then the other! Stem is purple leaves are yellowing/browning and dry and crispy! Temps is between 78-84f with humidity at 35-50! Is it to late to save? image.jpg image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg
 
The easiest sign of a magnesium deficiency is a purple stem. I dont know what your Ph level is but I would bet its under 6.5, If so then its deffinately magnesium deficiency. For that I spray the plants with a 2% solution of epsom salts once a day till the plants start to look better. But it will happen again if the Ph is to low.
 
Cal-mag is great but if your Ph is below 6.5 the plant will not be able to absorb it. And that is with soil grows. If its hydroponic the Ph will have to be lower. to Absorb calcium and magnesium.
 
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