Leaves Dropping Like Flies in Flowering

I'm about 3 weeks into flowering. The plants are seemingly done with their growth spurt but I am still seeing tons of leaves falling off, and plenty more that I'm able to pluck off with basically 0 resistance. I am pretty positive this is a lack of nitrogen but I'm wondering if I should be worried and what the best path forward is. I'm using Earth Juice nutrients. Last feeding was about 4 days ago where I did 2 tbsp of Grow for every gallon. I thought that was a lot but it didn't seem to help much at all. They are going to be watered again tomorrow but I am now considering another feeding.

40"x40"x80" tent with 5 plants in 7g smart pots
400w Vero29 COB setup

I think your diagnosis is sound. Not sure what the NPK on Grow Big is but think it is pretty small numbers. I'd hit them with a 20/20/20 feed or two and judge lower leaf health, then go back to a flower feed if improved. Overall looking great and this looks minor.

Yeah....EJ Grow is only N2.00% – P1.00% – K1.00% So would that mean 10tbsp per gallon? That seems like a ton but I can also see it making sense given that 2 tbsp per gallon didn't do a thing.

SchweeDubz said:

Yeah....EJ Grow is only N2.00% – P1.00% – K1.00% So would that mean 10tbsp per gallon? That seems like a ton but I can also see it making sense given that 2 tbsp per gallon didn't do a thing.

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I don't think it is the best product to use for your needs right now. I would not take the GB up to that level, you'll have other issues!

Just sayin' but, I lose pretty much all fan leaves from the pot up to about 24- 30" from the top of my plants under cobs in the 1st month of flower. So, a 4 foot plant ends up with 18 inches or so of nekkid. Scared the hell out of me the 1st time. After 3 grows of the same thing, near positive it's a light penetration issue for me as nutes haven't helped. It hasn't hurt and they stop dropping leaves at the same point every time. I picked up about 30 leaves between two plants today. lol

I don't know if that's your issue, just something to watch for in the next week or 2. Otherwise they look pretty happy to me.

I wouldn't worry to much ...she looks good if were judging from the plant in the top pic....GL

I am not all that worried considering the tops look fine, I just don't want it to continue the buds are being affected as well.

@Bugeye I'm not about to buy more nutrients right now. I'd prefer to at least finish these gallons I've got before changing to something else. So what amount would you recommend?

I am also wondering if I should just go ahead and remove the bottom growth now or if it's smarter to let the plant use up the nutrients from those leaves and let them fall naturally.

That plant looks hungry.

SchweeDubz said:

I am not all that worried considering the tops look fine, I just don't want it to continue the buds are being affected as well.

@Bugeye I'm not about to buy more nutrients right now. I'd prefer to at least finish these gallons I've got before changing to something else. So what amount would you recommend?

I am also wondering if I should just go ahead and remove the bottom growth now or if it's smarter to let the plant use up the nutrients from those leaves and let them fall naturally.

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What amount of the wrong product would I recommend you use?

Hit them with Jack's classic. As @Bugeye said, it's a balanced 20-20-20 blend that is relatively inexpensive, depending upon your location. If not that product, then anything that is balanced because 20-20-20 simplifies to 1-1-1. Best of luck.

ever consider the idea that she might be just sheeding or she's defoliating on her own. Had that happen to me on my last grow, lower smaller leaves fall off naturally, or like you said 0 resistance. I would just keep doing what your doing, and keep an eye on her.

beauty of a plant btw

BudmanTX said:

ever consider the idea that she might be just sheeding or she's defoliating on her own. Had that happen to me on my last grow, lower smaller leaves fall off naturally, or like you said 0 resistance. I would just keep doing what your doing, and keep an eye on her.

beauty of a plant btw

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I did consider that! But I wasn't sure if that's a thing. I considered it could be lack of nitrogen, lack of airflow (5 plants each that big makes it rather crowded), lack of light penetration from LED, or natural causes. Natural causes was my last guess frankly.