High iron levels in water

Jack Harer

Well-Known Member
I am in an area where the well water is almost orange with iron and am now developing a Phosphorus deficiency with a pheno of Black Widow. THe soil is all organic, Mushroom compost, Llama poo, worm castings, kelp and Espoma BioTone. I foliar with Nutri-Cal and add Epsom every 3rd water or so. I'll Get pics here in a couple of hours and post them later this AM.
Anyone ever get P lockout due to high iron levels? This P def is in veg, and I have GOT to figure this before I flip 'em.
 

Jack Harer

Well-Known Member
Just got back, and the 2 look WAY worse than they did yesterday afternoon. I gave them an emergency watering with Superbloom at 1/4 strength and left them on the back porch until later this evening.
My soil pH is 6.5. and my soil mix hasn't changed at all in a lot of years, except that this time, I substituted Llama beans (poo) for my preferred Bunny pellets. The only other variable of course is the water with a high iron content. I also built a 4 barrel rain catchment, and it's supposed to rain for the next 4 days. Hopefully, between the high shot of P and then switching to rain water will help. Any suggestions at this point will be greatly appreciated.

WTF??? Pics wont upload!!!!!
 

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
That looks more like you got a bad shot of heat stress at one time......Even what might be considered a brief period of high heat can do that. Over watering can add to the problem and they look a bit over watered too (like they can't transpire enough).
Can that pot drain? It has to be able to!
Stick your finger into the soil up to your second (for your pot size and depth) knuckle. Feel damp/moist,,,,Don't water. Feel dry,,,,,water. No more then that!

P def would be more evenly spread out in the plant. Not to mention that the new growth appears to lack the same damage.

What ever you do, STOP the use of the well water!!!!!! ANY water over 150 ppm should be considered not good for plants!
If you can "see" color to your water,,,,,it's not going to due,,PERIOD!
 

Jack Harer

Well-Known Member
You are dead on about the heat stress. It's been HOT (95+) and I am just now getting a handle on that with 600cfm extraction, and a 10K btu portable AC. The Iron thing just recently happened, as the well seems to start drying up with heavy demand. Starting today, I'll be using rain water, as I hope to fill all 4 barrels in the next 4 days with rain.
I'm vegging in that room at the moment, but it will become the flower room as soon as I get a hndle on things. I couldnt see why I would have a def, since I've used this soil mix 4 ever w/o probs.
I really appreciate the input!!
 

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
Mmmm,,,,,,95 bad!
Maybe try some potassium silicate,,,,,The Si will aid in heat tolerance.
You'll do ok now. The damage to the leaves will brown and be crispy,,,, Don't be alarmed at that.
 
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Jack Harer

Well-Known Member
I just went back and did a temp fix until my fans arrive, temps are holding steady at 84 with 2400w of MH running! I thought about getting some silica blast, but as I've never had this prob before, I aint sure just how organic it is. This will be the last crop in that room anyway. In the process of converting a 40 x 24 "outbuilding/barn" as we speak.
 
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