Leaves curl down/clawing. Unsure...

Hi all!

New poster and new to the community but definitely excited to learn and contribute.

I started my first grow about a month ago and I've finally started to veg. However, I've noticed that my fan leaves are curling down and looking a bit claw like. The old growth was slightly wavy as well but that was mainly cosmetic. This all happened prior to adding nutrients for the first time so I don't know what may have caused it. There is no signs of root rot (root structure is very healthy, white, and rampant) or fungus and it's not underwatered. I've researched as much as I can and I'm stumped. Maybe I'm crazy and nothing is wrong but I would like to just make sure.


Current setup:
-White Widow started from seed.
-My current system is DWC housed in an Aerogarden with an additional pump added. Now, I understand that this is not the best setup but it works for my current needs and space restrictions.
-First nutes (Foxfarm Grow Big (soil formula) & Big Bloom) added yesterday according to feed schedule.
-Lights on 17/7 (triple cfl 26w each) 2-3in from canopy in grow area of less than 1sqft.
-Unsure of what my pH or ppm is.

Please let me know if I'm missing any info and thank you in advance for the help!

I'd check your ph if possible. May not be in the proper range. Ph can cause all kind of weird problems. Many people suspect that their not feeding enough or over ferting, when in reality, the nutes are there, they just can't be processed by the plant because of the ph. I'd say your ph is off, would be my first check. If that looks good and they didn't receive too much nitrogen, then it might just be the way the plant grows. Genetics possibly. I've had a few weird plants like that. I am no professional by any means so take this advice with a grain of salt but definitely check your ph! And I'd also invest in a ppm meter as ph and ppm is a must when doing hydro! It will make life easier! Happy grows and keep me updated! Cheers

Doing DWC with no way to check ppm and ph could be a big problem.

I've been poor lately (who hasn't?) but I ordered my pH & ppm meters today. I'll report back when I have measurements, probably in a week or so.

Checked my plant this morning and some leaves have straightened out and new growth shows no signs. Could've been a fluke but you're right, I need to stay on top of my ph/ppm.

Just a quick update:

I think I may have figured out what's wrong but will need to double check my ppm to confirm. My new growth is showing the beginning signs of a Calcium deficiency which would explain the curling leaves.

I noticed some brown spots on the new growth only and it was centered on the leaves, not just the edges.

I have a feeling that this may be the culprit. We have pretty soft water in our house so the lack of calcium makes sense.

I'll keep ya'll updated once my meters show up and if I get any new issues.

First nutes (Foxfarm Grow Big (soil formula) & Big Bloom)
Fox Farm's Grow Big Hydroponic (3-2-6) delivers all the nutrients necessary for healthy vegetative plant growth to hydroponically-grown plants. Hand-crafted in small batches for a consistent, high-quality solution. Contains premium select earthworm castings.

(soil formula) has organics. in it.? will mess with roots did for me organics in dwc = root rot

I spoke to my hydro supplier and they were the ones that actually suggested using the soil formula over the hydro. What they failed to mention (I also failed to look) is that the soil Grow Big does NOT contain calcium nor mag. The hydro formula does... it's OK though. I picked up some CAliMAGic so this should hopefully remedy.

Alright so as i suspected, it was a calcium deficiency. My pH was about 5.9 and ppm was 790.

The picture has a few leaves from the previous issue but the new growth hasn't had any issues since adding the CAliMAGic so I think we're good now.

Thanks to everyone for helping!