Scraggly bumpy blistered mangled new growth

Hello! I am a newbie in indoor growing. Ive grown 2 plants outdoors, and 1 plant indoor. However, I recently changed all my setup. I am currently growing in DWC, with Optic4 LED. Temp/humidity is at 26 C and 45% RH.

I have googled extensively, but have not managed to find anything quite like what I am having here. Forgive me if I have not searched hard enough.

Previously my plant was by the window, growing slowly but healthily. TBH, I basically forgot I had that plant and it had been growing quite a few nodes after I topped it for about a month. I then moved it inside the tent a week ago, and have been moving towards mainlining. But the new growth have come out looking like... this [attached]. It looks like the leaves were deep-fried! I'm using a generic tomato hydroponic nutrients at 1/4 strength.

I initially thought it was because of heat/light stress. However, my Optic4 LED was already at 5' distance (60 inches) above the canopy. Is it at all possible that is still too close? As far as temperature, there is AC in the room, running 1 hour before and after the grow light is on (18/6 cycle), set at 26 degC. Just in case, I have increased the distance to 80 inches now.

I've also looked at pictures of mite infestation... But they look different to what I have here...

For sure, there are many troubleshooting steps I can still take; but I want to pick your brains to narrow down where I can start. Have anyone ever seen something like this? What could be causing it?

It really looks like a case of broad mites. Look under the leaf and look for small clear eggs, I had the same prob last winter on a couple clones.

Zephyrs said:

It really looks like a case of broad mites. Look under the leaf and look for small clear eggs, I had the same prob last winter on a couple clones.

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If not that I'd say that's plant edema, has trouble dealing with water in its leaves iv had this before if you cut back on water slightly it will grow out fine,

So... regarding broad mites, I borrowed a friend’s 100x microscope. It was a bitch to look under the leaves using a handheld one, but as far as I have seen, I did not find anything.

Plant edema... i’d Have to say it is very unlikely... considering this plant is under DWC the bucket has a water stone with a dedicated air pump.

But reading around the forum, I’m gonna try to adjust 2 things; I am installing a humidifier inside the tent, as well as moving the plant away from the center of the grow light.

In the mean time, I could really use more suggestions. Btw, I don’t mind any “destructive” troubleshooting steps. This plant came from a mystery seed. The thing is I am very concerned with this particular grow because I want to settle this problem before starting a whole new grow with better seeds.

So come on. Any crazy ideas anybody wants to try? Chances like this don’t present themselves often. I’m game.

Btw, the reason I wanted to increase the humidity is actually because of @~MoE~ ’s idea that it might be edema. What if the vapor pressure differential was too great? So one measure I’m testing is increasing the humidity. Thanks, @~MoE~

Im guessing russet mites. I really dont think youll see them even with 100x

Just a guess

If this were me, first, I'd rule out any pests. Second, I'd confirm my reservoir pH (not just going off the first day I put the nutrient in the reservoir, but every day I'd check it. pH drift is real for many. You might as well confirm your reservoir temps as well.) Thirdly, I'd take a closer look at your "generic tomato hydroponic nutrients" to be sure it has all the Macro and Micro nutrients cannabis needs to grow healthy. Edema is also a possible answer and if you google it, you'll see there are some solutions to the problem, which you are consequently going backwards on. Solutions include: increasing light intensity, increasing plant transpiration (ie higher temps, lower humidity) and proper nutrient base.

So come on. Any crazy ideas anybody wants to try? Chances like this don’t present themselves often. I’m game.[/QUOTE]

Wow, they really don't Haha,
Ah my bad about the dwc part, I either didn't read it or I assumed it was soil for some reason, I still think its edema though it look very similar to the problem I had, and because those older leaves arnt affected so in theory mites should be there also, when I had this problem those bumps grew out as the leaves got older, and eventually it grew out all together and didn't affect it long term,

But I still could be wrong

@~MoE~ kudos to you for bringing up Edema. I had no idea what the condition was until this morning while looking over this thread, and now I know. So, while this isn't my thread or problem, I too learned something new; thanks! I'm guessing @My-second will get it figured out between everyone's ideas.

CannaCountry said:

@~MoE~ kudos to you for bringing up Edema. I had no idea what the condition was until this morning while looking over this thread, and now I know. So, while this isn't my thread or problem, I too learned something new; thanks! I'm guessing @My-second will get it figured out between everyone's ideas.

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No worries mate, always happy to share info with you guys

are the roots fine
nitrogen toxicity probably bad ph

Thank you for the responses guys. So here's what happened afterwards.

I moved the plant towards the edge of the tent, and over a few days the new growths were much less bumpy/scraggly. They still were bumpy, but much less than the older leaves. I guess for some reason the light intensity is too high. I was using Optic 4 LED btw.

At any rate, my new seeds arrived, and so I got rid of this plant and washed down the tent with bleach. Just in case it really was broad/rust mites. Thank you all for the input; much appreciated.

wish me luck on my new growth; a green crack! I will seek your masterful advice again later on. Happy growing everyone!