brown spots and curling leaves

cozz said:

az200 I see what your saying, but as were dealing with a live product we cant guarantee that the plant would take all the feed up even at half strength especially if the ph is out, as im sure you know the plant takes different amounts of nutes at different ph"s like the way hydro guys like to swing the range of ph to get a better administration of feed, but IF hes got a lock out I reckon it would be down to the amount of feeding/ph I totaly agree about the microbes, I still use blackstrap molasses for that myself, I think it comes down to not trying to force feed I mean I like to eat myself (im fat) but even I just need a drink sometimes

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You're right and I only realized that now. The water might be gone after a while but that doesn't mean the same counts for the nutes, which were in the water. Those leftover need to be washed away once in a while, that's what you're saying?

Like I said, I flushed, waited a day, I fed her a bit and now I'll wait and water again (plain water) in a week or so.

Sounds like a plan?

halloweener said:

If you're feeding with nutes all the time, albeit at half dose, it builds more salts and hotspots than to alternate... correct?

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I'm still skeptical that a constant rate of half the nutrients builds up salts more than twice the nutrients at half the rate. But, I remain aware (if not humbled) by the fact that alternating water/feed is practiced by many.

cozz said:

we cant guarantee that the plant would take all the feed up even at half strength especially if the ph is out, as im sure you know the plant takes different amounts of nutes at different ph"s like the way hydro guys like to swing the range of ph

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I agree that if the ph is off, water-only is a good way to fix salt accumulation from ph-related nutrient lockout. But, if the ph is good, I'm still skeptical that there's a difference between 1/2 tsp every watering versus 1 tsp every other. You referred to force feeding. But, it's debatable whether a constant rate which is known to satisfy the plants needs is forcing anything on the plant, compared to giving twice what the plant needs, then withholding because the plant is sitting in too much.

Comparing hydro to soil: Soil's ph rises as much as a full point as it dries. For example: later in my grow (after enough time has elapsed for everything to interact, salts build up, etc) my soil ph is around 5.5 after watering, 6.2 the next day, and 6.6 when it's time to water again. I use a $60 Control Wizard Accurate 8 soil probe. Not as accurate as a ph pen measuring liquid. But, better than those $5 probes from Home Depot.

I proberly didn't come across right with the "force feeding" afterall the plant will only take what it needs/wants, and I can fully understand that a more constant availability of nutes would work just aswell, as it does in soiless and hydro, its all down to what works for the individual/and scenario, ive allways let mine "dry out" and believe that keeps the plant "exercised" not to the point of stress but enough to get them working (like a mini detox lol) and I feel if I was watering/feeding every day or so id lose that, as for the soil fluctuation that I believe is dependent to lots of things ie original as new, then what and how many feeds waterings, variety of plant etc etc so again its something that would change from grow room to grow room, all this being said im really tempted to do a side by side on my next run and test the watering/feeding schedule, as you have defo got me thinking!! but at the end of the day the reason ive questioned his feeding is because of the problems in the pics, and I feel it might have something to do with it, but I did state im not familiar with his choice of nutes, just if it was my plant that's what id be looking at,

I think the plant is stabilizing a bit.... the leaves are still curled, but it didn't get any worse in particular.

I'll keep to the shedule of feeding and watering and just look what it gives.

Brw, what would you guys suggest for a 2.5 month vegged plant? Feed every time it needs watering and water normally once a week like the package says? Cuz sometimes you need to take it slowly with half doses...

halloweener said:

Did you use half dose or something? So your advice is like: nutes, water, nutes water,... and in the meanwhile you let it dry out?
My autoflowers have about two-three weeks to go before I need to start flushing.

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I only fed the plants maybe twice a month when I grew in anything other than water. Nutes go along way in dirt. Water the plant until you get a run off going then let it sit for a few min's and lift the bucket and see how heavy it is. Thats how you will know when to water again is by picking up the bucket and seeing how heavy it is ,if it is light then water if it is heavy then let it dry. The food is mainly up to you, I feed only when I saw a deficiency which was about every two weeks. You can tell after a while when a plant needs food. And no I don't follow forum horticulture and I feed according to the fertilizer label.

Arris said:

I only fed the plants maybe twice a month when I grew in anything other than water. Nutes go along way in dirt. Water the plant until you get a run off going then let it sit for a few min's and lift the bucket and see how heavy it is. Thats how you will know when to water again is by picking up the bucket and seeing how heavy it is ,if it is light then water if it is heavy then let it dry. The food is mainly up to you, I feed only when I saw a deficiency which was about every two weeks. You can tell after a while when a plant needs food. And no I don't follow forum horticulture and I feed according to the fertilizer label.

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Alright thanks, the curling got worse so i flushed with a bucket of water which I let sit for two days.
Ima wait now until it's dry, then feed again.