Heat stress and now I have an AC, did drastic change in temp cause residual issues?

Hello guys!

This will be my first harvest and this is my first grow I am currently running two 8 bulb T 5's in a 5 x 10 secret jardin 300w. I have a few plants ahead of the others but all plants seem to be showing these consistent stress signals.

For a little background...the summer sun in my area gets to 90-93f during the day, I ran into an issue with the temperature a week ago with the temps in the tent reaching up to 97-98f during the late afternoon! I saw the plants cupping and saw limitations in their abilities to transpire. I broke down and bought a window ac unit with 8,000 btu's two days ago. I have now brought the temperature down to a consistent 73f in the evening and up to 76-78 during the day. Other signs of stress I see on the plant are yellowing and even almost burnt yellow on the edges of a few select leaves. I also have seen drastic drooping on the tips of some fan leaves as well.

I spray neem oil on my plants every 72 hours and water them with filtered tap water. They are planted in 707 Roots Organics soil. I keep my lights on 24-0. I did a PH reading just a minute ago and it read 5.5

My question is, do you think the pictured stress on my plants that I have posted is from the influx in heat and then drastic temperature drop? Or do you think I am combatting other issues?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post! I am looking forward to contributing, learning, and growing to the best of my abilities. Very thankful I found such an active forum!

why are you spraying neem oil every 72 hours ?

looks like your giving them too much N

I am spraying neem oil every 72 hours because a week ago I saw that there were white spots on the leaves of the plants and did it as a preventative measure. When you speak to be giving them too much "N", are you speaking nitrogen? How can I be giving them too much nitrogen when I don't use any nutrients? Thank you for the reply @bobtokes!

if you use too much neem oil you will block the pors up on the leaves
if your not giving them any nutes your compost has too many nutes in it for the plant your growing
if your using filtered tap water you will need probably need to give them cal/mag from time to time aswell

bobtokes said:

if you use too much neem oil you will block the pors up on the leaves
if your not giving them any nutes your compost has too many nutes in it for the plant your growing
if your using filtered tap water you will need probably need to give them cal/mag from time to time aswell

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Ok thank you for the information! Very appreciated! I will hold off on the neem for 6 days and will re apply if I see the white spots appear again. Have you heard of using just 707 roots organic soil for a growing medium? Or does this soil have too much nitrogen in it? I will go buy some cal/mag as well, is it safe to apply the cal/mag in this condition or should I hold off for a few days and relax and wait for positive changes in the ladies?

its always best to make sure you have pests before using neem oil
when you say you done a PH reading was that the runoff after you watered or was that the water before you watered ?

bobtokes said:

its always best to make sure you have pests before using neem oil
when you say you done a PH reading was that the runoff after you watered or was that the water before you watered ?

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I did a PH reading of the soil, I have a "rapitest" soil tester and it instructs me to place a tiny bit of soil in this container, I put water in the container, shake the solution around, and then match the color to a chart given to me with the "rapitest"...thus giving me my reading. 5.5 it says and its a yellowish color.

Do you know what your ph should be when growing in soil ? Have you ph'ed the water you're using to water with ?

looks like your soil is a bit too acidic, could do with being around 6/6.5 it could do with a sprinkling of dolamite lime, you should really test the runoff after you water to see whats going on really, have you got a ph meter as testing the ph of the water is important you should be watering at around 6.2/ 6.8
hold off with the calmag for a week or 2

Foothills said:

Do you know what your ph should be when growing in soil ? Have you ph'ed the water you're using to water with ?

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I have read that it should be between 5.5-6.5. I don't have a meter for the water. I have a kit that just tests the soil.

bobtokes said:

looks like your soil is a bit too acidic, could do with being around 6/6.5 it could do with a sprinkling of dolamite lime, you should really test the runoff after you water to see whats going on really, have you got a ph meter as testing the ph of the water is important you should be watering at around 6.2/ 6.8
hold off with the calmag for a week or 2

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Thank you for the continuous help. It's very appreciated. I will hold off on the cal/mag and I will sprinkle dolamite. I don't have a specific meter for testing the water, on the soil. Any recommendations on a beginner level PH reader? "beginner level" more in reference to price, I am not trying to invest in a expensive meter till after my first harvest.

5.5 is hydro ph range, you will lock MG/ Calcium out ph ing that low, i'm in the uk and use a
Essentials pH Pen Digital Meter £30
dont buy 1 of the cheap yellow chinese meters their rubbish, buy a good meter now and you WILL get a better harvest

bobtokes said:

5.5 is hydro ph range, you will lock MG/ Calcium out ph ing that low, i'm in the uk and use a
Essentials pH Pen Digital Meter £30
dont buy 1 of the cheap yellow chinese meters their rubbish, buy a good meter now and you WILL get a better harvest

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Awesome! I will be purchasing one of those this morning! Do you recommend raising my ph by sprinkling dolamite? Or is there a better alternative. Again, thank you so much for the help.

google cannabis soil ph chart

I don't have much faith in meters, but I'm sure there's some good ones out there. I like using test strips, that I get online cheap. The strips that give you both ph and total hardness readings are very handy.

succulent710 said:

Awesome! I will be purchasing one of those this morning! Do you recommend raising my ph by sprinkling dolamite? Or is there a better alternative. Again, thank you so much for the help.

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the lime method is the best, i think, but i,ve never had to do it, when you have your meter i will talk you through ph ing runoff if you need help
iam not an expert grower but if what i know helps others iam glad to offer it

bobtokes said:

google cannabis soil ph chart

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and save it on your computer. Then read up on the basic things you're gonna need to know, and understand, in general.