Iron deficiency? Or Nitrogen?

This plant is about 2 months old. Been only tap water and haven’t had an issue. Been doing nutrients of 3-2-4 every watering and sometimes every other watering. A few days ago noticed some disocoloration in the leaves. So I fertilized again but used a little bit more than I normally use. She’s a big plant and she’s hella thirsty. These fan leaves are yellowing around the edges for the most part except for the one photo with the big yellow spot in the centre. I am growing in soil under a 400 watt MH. I did fertilize a day before this pic.





These leaves were closer to the top and mid of the plant. Not the bottom. Bottom leaves are pretty dark green.

Not nitrogen for sure.

Nitrogen would start at the bottom of the plant and work up, plus it doesn't exhibit that pattern on the leaves.

Hows the pH sitting?

Possible magnesium def? Probably calcium too. Are you using cal mag? Looking like middle of leaves fading and veins staying dark. Especially if it’s on the middle growth. May be too low of ph causing magnesium lockout. Runoff PH should be at least 6.

Should I water to get a run off reading? Even though I watered last night?

If this is Mg should I leave the plant for a day or two so it can dry out and then just water with some epsom salt?

Way2-High said:

Your N is high and Mg is low causing all sorts of fuckery.

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What makes you think the N is high? Doesn't look too dark or canoed to me.

Skoal said:

Should I water to get a run off reading? Even though I watered last night?

If this is Mg should I leave the plant for a day or two so it can dry out and then just water with some epsom salt?

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I probably would just until you get a slight runoff you can test and if ph is too low I’d flush and let dry out. If you aren’t using dolomite lime I’d use it it’s helped me a lot stabilize ph and it’s actually supplemented with calcium and magnesium. ( the stuff I use at least). I don’t use Epsom salts so I can’t speak on it. And if you’re PH is too low it’s only going to make problems worse Because your plant can’t even uptake it. It’s not all that bad though seems like it. I’m just speaking from my own experience here. I’d put money on the soil ph being too low though. Water at 7 from here on out and make sure your runoff is at around 6.3ish at the least.

If you are concerned about an uptake of magnesium you can help get them on the right track with a foliar feed, epsom salt or just a diluted solution of your nutrient mix. Something around 250 PPM. Of course you still wanna pinpoint the problem, likely pH is your culprit. I wouldn't water right away to get a runoff reading, let them dry out, don't wanna create another problem.

Ugh. I hope it’s not ph. But I have a feeling it could be related. If anything my water is to high and needs to be lowered. I have a feeling my PH is 7.5 for water.

I would wait to the next watering and flush with 7.0 and get a runoff reading to see whats up, then adjust your feed to offset the pH problem and hit them with the feed, don't wait after the flush. So If your pH is say 5.5 and you want it to be 6.5 try feeding at 7.5 and see how they react. Monitor runoff each feed and as it moves towards your target you can adjust your feed pH accordingly.

I find my soil pH probes to be VERY handy in these situations.

You could also take a little of the soil and make a slurry to see what the pH is doing.

Well I guess it’s time to buy a new ph meter. Damnit. So I have to adjust my ph in my fertilizer.

I wonder what my run off is. I think I get it. If run off is too low I should have higher PH going in?

6.5 is the perfect ph for run off then.

If the PH of the runoff is 6.5 when I flush should I then just lower the ph of my feed?

Actually it doesn’t seem N is too bad , but looks like calmag issue .
An early onset ...

Stock photo ....


Start at 1 tsp per gallon water which will cover most general problems .
Increase to 2 tsp for heavier deficiency.
Ph @ 6.5 ( feeding and watering mixes )

Skoal said:

Well I guess it’s time to buy a new ph meter. Damnit. So I have to adjust my ph in my fertilizer.

I wonder what my run off is. I think I get it. If run off is too low I should have higher PH going in?

6.5 is the perfect ph for run off then.

If the PH of the runoff is 6.5 when I flush should I then just lower the ph of my feed?

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Opposite.....

As long as what’s going in is in range then you are fine. Forget the runoff.

Ph 6.3 / 6.5 ..... no more ..... no less.
At this “ range “ all elements are available for plants.

Don’t know what medium you are using but if it’s a good mix , it will be already have PH prebuffered
Flushing is for grower error problems ...... too much feed , salt buildup , etc.
All you are doing is LEACHING the soil and stiflingly the roots.

Budzbuddha said:

Opposite.....

As long as what’s going in is in range then you are fine. Forget the runoff.

Ph 6.3 / 6.5 ..... no more ..... no less.
At this “ range “ all elements are available for plants.

Don’t know what medium you are using but if it’s a good mix , it will be already have PH prebuffered
Flushing is for grower error problems ...... too much feed , salt buildup , etc.
All you are doing is LEACHING the soil and stiflingly the roots.

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I’m using organic soil by promix for vegetables. Should I use cal mag regularly for feedings or only when I see an issue arise? Should I think about getting off the Botanicare 4-2-3 solution and upgrading to something better so this doesn’t happen again? Or just keep cal mag on hand to supplement with.

What’s your tap coming out at skoal ? Here’s mine, the best readings I’ve seen in spring.

Way2-High said:

What’s your tap coming out at skoal ? Here’s mine, the best readings I’ve seen in spring.
View attachment 4312278 View attachment 4312279

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Wow. You at a 7. That’s unreal. I have no idea what mines at. Turns out I’ve had two faulty ph meters in my possession. I may just resort to the fucking drops now lol.

I’ve had a nasty stomach bug the last couple days. Didn’t check on my plant. Noticed she was under watered today and got some nice browning around the leaves. I just fed her some veg nutrients. But what the hell is going on now? This calcium deficiency now?

what's the powdery stuff on the leaf in your first post?

No idea in the powdery stuff. Not very prominent and haven’t seen it yet. Humidity and temps are fine. But I can’t seem to get my nutrients under control. Plant is maybe 3 months old now. My leafs keep getting worse. Doesn’t seem like the cal mag is fixing my issue. I think I’m gonna use like 15ml per gallon and hope that fixes my issue. I wanna eliminate the issue before she goes into flower.

Skoal said:

A few days ago noticed some disocoloration in the leaves. So I fertilized again but used a little bit more than I normally use.

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Skoal said:

Doesn’t seem like the cal mag is fixing my issue. I think I’m gonna useike 15ml per gallon and hope that fixes my issue.

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Skoal,
What you need more then anything is an attitude adjustment. Read the above posts...see that pattern? See a problem and throw more stuff at it.

More problems are caused by too much rather then too little.

I'm with Budzbuddha...forget the runoff. Get and keep the plant on a solid wet/dry cycle and forget nutes for awhile. I'd just use water ...phed to 6.5 and give it a rest. Foliar with Epsom salts is a good idea.

That plant has enough stored nutrients. I would bet money (if I had any) that you're locking out Mg rather then deficient.
JD