Over-fertilizatized with BioTabs - now what?

First indoors grow started off pretty nicely, but now I'm getting severe Nitrogen toxicity - the "claw" all over, the leaves are totally curling up. Spots are also showing up, classic nute burn..

The problem is that I used BioTabs (biotabs.eu), so I can't flush it out (although I did one flush 2 days ago, with no results). These are slow-release fert tabs, which actually work great, but unfortunately I followed the instructions and placed 2 tabs in a 11 liter pot, which turned out to be way over the top.

Anyhow - so now what? I'm thinking there's two possibilites;
Option A: make cuttings (which will be difficult with a N excess), and start from scratch. At least I don't have to buy new seeds.
Option B: I'm going to find 1 of those 2 tabs and take it out of the soil -- roots will be hurt, bust most likely they can take it ... ?

I think option B might work out well actually... what do you guys think?

photo 1.jpgphoto 3.jpgphoto 4.jpg

Thanks very much!!!
 

Dankfactory

Well-Known Member
Fertilizatized. Outstanding.

Couple thoughts: I root heavy N laden cuttings all the time with no issues. The excess nitrogen claims and how they relate to rooting are bogus, potentially spawned as an excuse to why a grower couldn't get the job done in the rooting dome, I imagine.

Your plants look fine by the way. I'd let them remain as is, and keep an eye on them. Dig up the tabs if you like: the roots will be just fine.
 

crispypb840

Active Member
Try just water for a week. It's definitely not worth cloning them and starting over. They should be fine. I would dig up those sticks if you can. You don't want to fertilize every time you water. Usually feed, water, water. This helps flush out your salts building up in the root zone.
 
Thanks for the good inputs. The fertilizer tabs seem to have liquified in the meantime - there's no solids in the soil anymore, nothing to take out. I poked from all possible angles with a chop stick... On the other hand, flushing might work again in that situation.

For now I guess I'll just let them reamin as is, and hope for the best. Maybe do another flush in a few days.
 

JohnDee

Well-Known Member
nlgrower,
There are most likely time release particulates left in the soil. Seems like flushing could make matters worse. I say just water as needed.
JD
 
You mean because flushing out time release particulates would lead to deficits in the future? Why make it worse?

The new growth actually looks fine now, but the shoots below the new growth got burned, but maybe it won't continue now. I'll definitely just water as needed from now on.
Thanks!
 

tikitoker

Active Member
I also vote plan B. Hope in not to late. I would like to add that powdered gypsum will neutralize the high salts from the slow release, that may even you out. That coupled with humic/fulvic acids to futher assist in chelation of metallic ions, and helps the pants metabolize nutrients at a faster rate while reducing stress.
 

JohnDee

Well-Known Member
Nl,
My concern would be that the time release particulates may NOT be flushed out and that they would continue to release nutrients with each watering...like they were designed to do.
JD
 

sativa indica pits

Active Member
to me they dont look over fert. at all. I would say high ph all day!! Its hard to tell between over fert and high ph cause it will make nitrogen more available and toxic. what is the ph of the run off of your soil? My plants were 110% exactly like that, ph down....look awesome and perky now
 

karel BioTabs

New Member
Dear NL grower.
using 2 biotabs in a 11 litre container is ok.
It is very difficult to overfeed when you are using organics.
Especialy when using slowrease fertilser like biotabs are.
To me it looks more that you have over water your plants.
Let your plants always run through a wet and a dry cycle.
It does not make sense trying to flush your plants. The organics won't flush out. The only thing you will achieve is over watering your (small) plants.
What is the nighttemperature of your pots?
During winter time people tend to forget monitoring the temperature of the pots during night time. Slow release fertilisers, as do all organics needs a temperature above 20C.
We have never seen plants being over fertilised as long as you work according our manuals.
I recommend to stop watering your plans for a few days. When the pots are almost dry water water one time with a solution of 1 gram Bactrex (bacteria) pwer litre of water.
Good luck!
And please keep us posted

Regards
Karel
 

rocho

Well-Known Member
Dear NL grower.
using 2 biotabs in a 11 litre container is ok.
It is very difficult to overfeed when you are using organics.
Especialy when using slowrease fertilser like biotabs are.
To me it looks more that you have over water your plants.
Let your plants always run through a wet and a dry cycle.
It does not make sense trying to flush your plants. The organics won't flush out. The only thing you will achieve is over watering your (small) plants.
What is the nighttemperature of your pots?
During winter time people tend to forget monitoring the temperature of the pots during night time. Slow release fertilisers, as do all organics needs a temperature above 20C.
We have never seen plants being over fertilised as long as you work according our manuals.
I recommend to stop watering your plans for a few days. When the pots are almost dry water water one time with a solution of 1 gram Bactrex (bacteria) pwer litre of water.
Good luck!
And please keep us posted

Regards
Karel
During winter time people tend to forget monitoring the temperature of the pots during night time. Slow release fertilisers, as do all organics needs a temperature above 20C....
that's first time i read that, whi do not put this indication about temperature in your instructions?
PS
I know that's a very old 3d but still actual.
 
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