Hey all - 1st time grower need some pointers

How it do everyone.

I have a small indoor grow that Ive been maintaining for about a month now (eldest plant is on day 27 of veg), and I've encountered a few concerning issues that I would really appreciate a second opinion on.

I have 5 plants grown from bag seeds. My two oldest plants, wirt and greg, I believe are golden goat. I have no idea about the younger three.

Some details about the grow;

• It's indoors
• 5 plants total
• The temperature isn't regulated as well as it should be, but temperatures stay below 80 degrees fahrenheit and don't dip below 75ish
• I'm not sure about the humidity, but it's pretty steamy with the doors closed
• I have a light breeze trained on the plants supplied by a small fan at all times
• The light I'm giving my plants is supplied by 8 32w 84in T8 LED tubes and a single 120v incondecent heat lamp (though I've recently turned the heat lamp off because it's been getting rather warm in this room)
• My plants are being grown in a soil medium (a somewhat random mixture of Fox Farm soil, perlite, happy frog Japanese maple fertilizer, and MG "organic feed").

My most concerning problem is with my largest plant, Wirt; who is believed to be GoldenGoat (bag seeds, I'm not really sure. I was high.)
He's been doing great as far as I can tell. But as of recently he's been developing some spots and discoloration of the leaves on the lower nodes of the plant. They look like brown, rusty dots all along the middle of the leaves and scattered about. And in general, the leaves on the lower parts of the plants don't look as healthy. There should be pictures attached that show them.
I'm sure this is a nutrient deficiency, but I'm not sure how to identify which one, and when I do, how to treat it. Recommendations on good nutrients and how often one should feed their plants would be awesome.

Next big issue; I discovered an infestation of what I believe to be aphids on all my plants that seemed to appear overnight/over a couple of nights. I've sprayed down the soil and the plants themselves with insect killing soap from Safer, and am awaiting results. I didn't really think about it at the time because I was a bit panicked, but in the future I'd like to avoid insecticides entirely. If anybody has any tips or recommendations on how to control insects and pests, they would be greatly appreciated.

I might have more to add, but that's all for now... I welcome any and all suggestions as well~

Thanks for reading! Cheers!

Hey man, I'm just a beginner grower so I probably won't be much help, but what kind of water do you use? Where do you get your water from?

Maybe a magnesium problem. .hit em with a dose of calmag. . But 1st are you feeding them if so what and how much . How often are you watering. .but then I saw u have an infestation. This could be your problem and I'd address that 1st before anything you can get a spray or there is a smoke bomb you can get Google how to get rid of bugs it will come up .. do it before they ruin ur crop

B-ball62 said:

Hey man, I'm just a beginner grower so I probably won't be much help, but what kind of water do you use? Where do you get your water from?

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I've been using bottled/normal tap water lol

mr buddy said:

Maybe a magnesium problem. .hit email with a dose of calmag. . But 1st are you feeding them if so what and how much . How often are you watering. .but then I saw u have an infestation. This could be your problem and I'd address that 1st before anything you can get a spray or there is a smoke bomb you can get Google how to get rid of bugs it will come up .. do it before they ruin ur crop

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I was thinking either magnesium or phosphorus.

Also I haven't been keeping to a schedule of feeding (I really need to, I know), but if I had to venture a guess they've been getting about a teaspoon of that organic fertilizer I mentioned or the Japanese maple shred every 3 days or so sprinkled on the soil around the base of the plant and then I add a little more water in an effort to make it seep into the soil. Watering every day or couple of days.

But I'm finding that I may have been overwatering and/or over feeding, so I've failed back the nutes and the watering a whole bunch and they seem to still be doing well except for the issues I've mentioned. They're getting about 16fl oz. water every couple of days, or whenever the surface soil looks dry.

And as for the pests, I agree - I really want them gone. I'm going to see how the insect soap works out and if it's not effective after a day or two I'll have to do something more drastic.
This is the stuff I was recommended at a nearby hydroponic/garden store:

melloyellow said:

I was thinking either magnesium or phosphorus.

Also I haven't been keeping to a schedule of feeding (I really need to, I know), but if I had to venture a guess they've been getting about a teaspoon of that organic fertilizer I mentioned or the Japanese maple shred every 3 days or so sprinkled on the soil around the base of the plant and then I add a little more water in an effort to make it seep into the soil. Watering every day or couple of days.

But I'm finding that I may have been overwatering and/or over feeding, so I've failed back the nutes and the watering a whole bunch and they seem to still be doing well except for the issues I've mentioned. They're getting about 16fl oz. water every couple of days, or whenever the surface soil looks dry.

And as for the pests, I agree - I really want them gone. I'm going to see how the insect soap works out and if it's not effective after a day or two I'll have to do something more drastic.
This is the stuff I was recommended at a nearby hydroponic/garden store:
View attachment 3960376

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Do u do a feed then next time just water .should only feed once a week really .if u feed every 3 days do a feed then just water and always feed..water till you have a run off . I'd definitely get some calmag

Do you have a PH meter? Cause those little spots could be PH related.
You stated you also use normal Tap water, do you let it sit out in the open for 24hrs to allow it to evaporate the clorine inside the water?

mr buddy said:

Do u do a feed then next time just water .should only feed once a week really .if u feed every 3 days do a feed then just water and always feed..water till you have a run off . I'd definitely get some calmag

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I'll look into some calmag for sure. Thanks man.

KRSTEK said:

Do you have a PH meter? Cause those little spots could be PH related.
You stated you also use normal Tap water, do you let it sit out in the open for 24hrs to allow it to evaporate the clorine inside the water?

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I actually don't do that at all, no - I had no idea that was even an issue/something one needed to do. Thanks for the tip man.

Although I think it's pertenant to add that almost all the water has been bottled water, only a gallon of all the water they've ever been given was tap.