Mites, pH, or something else?

Hey all,

I've really been trying to determine what is wrong with my biggest, bushiest plant. I finally broke down and bought a pH tester for the soil and for the nutrient solution. I use recommended feeding from FoxFarm with Grow Big and Big Bloom. The solution has a pH of 5.5 which is definitely lower than what I would like. The soil tester says my soil is low 5 possibly 4 which I find hard to believe since my water (no ferts) is 7, and my solution is 5. Also, if it was that low, I would expect them to die.

Anyway, someone mentioned that it may be spider mites, but I looked and see no signs of this. Also, I think the spots are too big for it to represent mites, but I'm definitely not an expert on this.

Anyway, I bought pH up and make my solutions around 6.5 now, leaving the water at 7.

Q: Should I try and over compensate to raise up the pH of the soil or just keep using 6.5 until it levels out?

Yesterday I did a 1:1 mix with rubbing alcohol and water (read this online for mite control). The very bottom leaves are completely dead and brittle (break when you touch).

Q: Should I cut those branches off, take the leaves off, leave it alone, other?

The first 4 pics are the plant which has spots. (named jazzy_*)

One of my plants is growing somewhat lopsided (one side has huge leaves). This happened before on a different plant, and I was wondering if its something I am causing or if it's natural.

The final pic is of this plant. (named babe_*)

Thanks for any help!!

spelltwister said:

Hey all,

I've really been trying to determine what is wrong with my biggest, bushiest plant. I finally broke down and bought a pH tester for the soil and for the nutrient solution. I use recommended feeding from FoxFarm with Grow Big and Big Bloom. The solution has a pH of 5.5 which is definitely lower than what I would like. The soil tester says my soil is low 5 possibly 4 which I find hard to believe since my water (no ferts) is 7, and my solution is 5. Also, if it was that low, I would expect them to die.

Anyway, someone mentioned that it may be spider mites, but I looked and see no signs of this. Also, I think the spots are too big for it to represent mites, but I'm definitely not an expert on this.

Anyway, I bought pH up and make my solutions around 6.5 now, leaving the water at 7.

Q: Should I try and over compensate to raise up the pH of the soil or just keep using 6.5 until it levels out?

Yesterday I did a 1:1 mix with rubbing alcohol and water (read this online for mite control). The very bottom leaves are completely dead and brittle (break when you touch).

Q: Should I cut those branches off, take the leaves off, leave it alone, other?

The first 4 pics are the plant which has spots. (named jazzy_*)

One of my plants is growing somewhat lopsided (one side has huge leaves). This happened before on a different plant, and I was wondering if its something I am causing or if it's natural.

The final pic is of this plant. (named babe_*)

Thanks for any help!!

Click to expand...

What type of soil are you using

Is it mixed with anything

Specifically what type of nutes are you using

keico said:

What type of soil are you using

Is it mixed with anything

Specifically what type of nutes are you using

Click to expand...

Hey, I thought I'd get an email with reply information on threads that I start. I was actually getting upset that no one was replying, but it seems I wasn't checking! lol

Anyway, Happy Frog soil, no adds. I know I write very long posts, but I am using Fox Farm's "Grow Big" and "Big Bloom" according to their feeding schedule (I use a little less than recommended, however; when they say 3 tsp, i use 2 or 2.5, etc.).

Grow big is 6-4-4, and big bloom is 0.1-0.3-0.7. I alternate feeding (water + ferts) and watering (just water) every 4 days roughly. I recently purchased a "moisture meter" and follow its advice when to water. Typically I use 1 Liter and the plants are in 5 gal pots (with enough soil to fill about 4.5 of it). This seems to be pretty standard from what I've read.

Anyway, the problem is still here. I'll be posting more pics later.

I woke up in the morning and the leaves were just spotted like they had been for about a week, but when I returned home in the evening, some of the spotted leaves had turned almost completely yellow and crispy. Another thing to note is that it seems to be influencing ONLY bottom leaves which have no side growth (if that makes sense). The branch goes to one, single leaf and is the bottom extension of a node. I'll try and get a close up with my next posting what I'm talking about.

Anyway, if I can provide more information, please ask ;D I'm trying to give as much as possible.

I'm using a single 430W Son Agro about 1-2 feet above the tallest plant. I have a termometer at plant top height, and at plant base height directly under the light. The temperatures are typically lower near the light because of the fan and range between 75-82F It rarely (and briefly) will get up as high as 85F. I watch my babies like a hawk for the temperatures ;p

Thanks!

I had a friend using Grow Big, and he recommended it when I started. I was getting those same spots. (You're right, as far as I can tell they don't look like mites). I'm not expert enough to know what Grow Big is lacking (if it is), but I do seem to remember that when I used it and added Calmag, they seemed to do better. When I used Cutting Edge and House & Garden, I didn't have those spots. Someone with more experience could probably be more helpful, but for what it's worth, that's my $.02.

Also, if you click on 'My Rollitup' (top left) it will take you to your control panel - you'll see your subscribed threads (any you post in are auto-subscribed), and I think you can set it to send email if you want.

Hey, thanks for the reply. I'm gonna go buy some tomorrow probably. What kind of dosage did you use? I use just under the recommended by fox farm.

Yeah, I'm not sure why, but it didn't auto subscribe me to the last 2 threads I started :/ I added myself to this one now.

Here's a pic of what I was talking about the kind of leaf it is affecting. Notice that the branch is the bottom part of the node, and that there is no growth besides the one leaf on the end. Did yours only show on these leaves? The other 3 leaves with this are in the same spot on other nodes.

I think I used 4ml/gal of the Calmag (I think they call for 5ml/gal).
I don't remember if it was just on those leaves... but it was only on older leaves. All new growth was fine.

Leothwyn said:

I think I used 4ml/gal of the Calmag (I think they call for 5ml/gal).
I don't remember if it was just on those leaves... but it was only on older leaves. All new growth was fine.

Click to expand...

Little flies on the soil when you water, near the soil?

87043 said:

Little flies on the soil when you water, near the soil?

Click to expand...

Ive had the same spots on my plants, but they turn from yellow to red. I did have those bugs ur referring to.....whats up with this?

I would hold back on feeding anything for the next few weeks... The necrosis (spots) and brittle leaves are normally signs of over feeding or salt buildup or both! (If you are sure you don't have mites) For soil your ph is way too low and raising the ph of your water/solution will not help much, soil is a very strong buffer and it will take ages for the solution to change your soil ph. I would suggest getting some FINE dolomite lime and mixing about 2/3 tsps in the top 1-2 inches of your soil, then only feed fresh water with no nutes for about 2-3 weeks. The dol lime will naturally buffer your soil and bring your ph up while also supplying calcium and mag.

Remember that each strain needs different amounts of food. Some barely need anything but water, and others thrive on high solutions.
The feeding guide is only just that.... a guide. Learn to read your plants and what they need. If your leaves are healthy, flat and green, why give them something they don't need?
Good luck,
Trich

trichomeKid said:

I would hold back on feeding anything for the next few weeks... The necrosis (spots) and brittle leaves are normally signs of over feeding or salt buildup or both! (If you are sure you don't have mites) For soil your ph is way too low and raising the ph of your water/solution will not help much, soil is a very strong buffer and it will take ages for the solution to change your soil ph. I would suggest getting some FINE dolomite lime and mixing about 2/3 tsps in the top 1-2 inches of your soil, then only feed fresh water with no nutes for about 2-3 weeks. The dol lime will naturally buffer your soil and bring your ph up while also supplying calcium and mag.

Remember that each strain needs different amounts of food. Some barely need anything but water, and others thrive on high solutions.
The feeding guide is only just that.... a guide. Learn to read your plants and what they need. If your leaves are healthy, flat and green, why give them something they don't need?
Good luck,
Trich

Click to expand...

his pics just looked like he had fungus gnats.

Hey, I started using the calmag. hopefully that'll help. i don't see any flies or anything like that. I wouldn't expect it to be fungus, my room humidity is about 20%

The pH of my soil is pretty much back to normal now. I'll try backing off the ferts too for a while. Thanks for the advice guys!

Hey all,

I started using CalMag with every watering at about 5mL / gal and the spots are pretty much gone ;D However, some leaves are now just fading to a very light green (they are not spotting first), but don't get yellow and dead like the spotted leaves were. I'll try and get some pics to show that it looks like. Pretty much the leaves just get lighter over about a week to a really light green color (not the bright yellow/nearly white color that was happening). Any suggestions appreciated!

Also, check out my grow journal!!! ;D