droopy leaves/nute issue? after compost tea feeding

Hi, this is my first time posting to this forum but I really need some insight.

I am growing NYC Diesel photoperiod in soil(ocean forest 60/ happy frog 40, and the bottom 20% of the soil is strawberry fields)

I have them in fabric pots. Running a setup in a 3x3 tent with an acinfinity fan circulating the air, a fan oscillating towards the plant, and I have a temp/humidity meter that automatically regulates the environment. It maintains about 77-81 degrees F in the daytime and 70-73 degrees F at night.

I have been watering the plant as needed, letting them thoroughly dry out(a little too dry on 1 or 2 occasions) and then watering the plants with 1 gallon of distilled water that is pHed to 6.3-6.5. Growth had been amazing until I applied my compost tea feeding.

I brewed a compost tea in 3 gal of water on 11/23/22. In this I added the following:
2 tbsp unsulphured blackstrap molasses
1.5 cup worm castings
2 tbsp alfalfa meal
2 tbsp kelp meal

I FAILED to pH the water before brewing the compost tea. Usually the distilled water I get is around 7+ pH and I always pH down before watering. This time was the only occasion that I failed to do this. I am well aware that the incorrect pH can affect the entire uptake of water and nutrients, stunting the plant. I added 1 gal of compost tea on 11/25/22 and the plant has not moved much. It is showing signs of droopy leaves, I let it dry out for a pretty long time(its apparent that it also was taking up water very very slowly, usually the plant at this point would drink 1 gal of water every 2-3 days and this time it didn't need water for over a week). I let the plant dry out what I though was thoroughly and then I gave the plant 1 gallon of pHed distilled water(6.3-6.5) and it looks happier but the leaves will not pray like it used to. I am also noticing wilting leaves and browning and burnt tips. This is my 2nd full grow in this setup so any input is greatly appreciated!

Please feel free to let me know if I need to supply additional information!

Good Growing

mattydabs said:

Growth had been amazing until I applied my compost tea feeding.

I brewed a compost tea in 3 gal of water on 11/23/22. In this I added the following:
2 tbsp unsulphured blackstrap molasses
1.5 cup worm castings
2 tbsp alfalfa meal
2 tbsp kelp meal

I let the plant dry out what I though was thoroughly and then I gave the plant 1 gallon of pHed distilled water(6.3-6.5) and it looks happier but the leaves will not pray like it used to. I am also noticing wilting leaves and browning and burnt tips. This is my 2nd full grow in this setup so any input is greatly appreciated!

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That is quite a coincidence it happened straight after compost tea. And probably shouldn't be ignored.

Wouldn't worry too much about the tea itself. Unless there's something funky going on. Which judging by your own watering habits, there probably isn't.
And I wouldn't be too concerned about the tea's pH, unless it was way, way out of range.

I'm more curious if it raised the EC in your soil, causing some lock-out. By what you said, having given it plain water and seen some improvement.
When you gave them plain water, did you allow the pot to drain?
If indeed you didn't. And you've seen improvement upon giving plain water. Next watering, I would do the same but let the pot drain.

It's worth owning an EC meter if you don't have one. Organics or otherwise. Worthwhile testing your teas.
It's all just dissolved solids after all.
Though I don't use teas, organic gardening is an obsession of mine outdoors. And I regularly use an EC meter.
Use it all the time mixing wormbin leachate to water. Works a charm.
Any type of solution an EC meter is a useful tool, really.

mattydabs said:

Please feel free to let me know if I need to supply additional information!

Click to expand...

My first thoughts are it's starving. Needs some fertilizer or nutrient. Needs a bit of everything actually.
If plain water doesn't show much more improvement, I'd be giving it some food.

Watch you're not letting the soil dry far too much, as you say you have been.
But I'd be a lot more concerned if you were watering too often, or too much. Doesn't sound like you have and that they've been staying too soggy.
Only real concern is it's stopped drinking so much. That's why I think it's important you give it another good drink next watering. Before giving any more fert or nutrient, rich organic matter whatever.
And run-to-waste when you do.

GL.

Like the 3rd place I've said it already tonight.

Slurry test. See wtf going on in your soil