Sorry looking plant, what could the problem be?

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Scottydadog

Active Member
Hi all, my little plant is about 4 weeks old and not looking too happy so I’m looking for some advice as to what the issue might be. I’m growing in coco, currently using emerald harvest 2 part nutrients at 50% recommended dose which I have just upped to 75%. I don’t believe I’m overwatering as I let the pots get light and make sure top of medium is dry about an inch down before I water again. I’m mixing my feed at ph 5.8 every time I feed. I’m in a hard water area so don’t think calcium is my issue but after a bit of reading I’m thinking I may have a magnesium deficiency. I’ve attached pic of the plant and wondered would anyone agree that I have a magnesium deficiency or something else?2FDA9BB9-02AA-4161-980C-464207983C82.jpegC71DF382-229F-4E0E-A97A-2D9FD6926A7E.jpeg
 
ru4r34l

ru4r34l

Well-Known Member
Definitely looks to be a Mg deficiency, however it also looks to be over watered with the drooping leaves. Plants grown in coco can also exhibit signs of this if there is a buildup of salts.

I would suggest you do not let your coco dry out but ensure there is a good amount of runoff during each watering, if the coco is drying out too fast you may need to transplant to a larger pot.

Good luck

regards,
 
S

Scottydadog

Active Member
ru4r34l said:
Definitely looks to be a Mg deficiency, however it also looks to be over watered with the drooping leaves. Plants grown in coco can also exhibit signs of this if there is a buildup of salts.

I would suggest you do not let your coco dry out but ensure there is a good amount of runoff during each watering, if the coco is drying out too fast you may need to transplant to a larger pot.

Good luck

regards,
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Thanks for the info, now have a few questions lol.

If I water to run off then let the pots get light and the top inch or so dry which might take 3 days or so, how could I be over watering?

If I’m not to let the top inch of coco dry when would you recommend that I water, when the pots are lighter but top layer of coco is still damp?

Would you say best thing for my mg deficiency would be foliar feed with Epsom salts?
 
TreeFarmerCharlie

TreeFarmerCharlie

Well-Known Member
Scottydadog said:
Would I not be over watering if the medium Is still wet the following day when I go to water again?
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Coco is managed very differently thank soil. I would suggest you do some research on growing in coco. I only know the basics of coco growing so I wouldn’t be able to give you any detailed advice. The one thing I do know about it, however, is that you aren’t supposed to let it dry out like soil.
 
S

Scottydadog

Active Member
TreeFarmerCharlie said:
Coco is managed very differently thank soil. I would suggest you do some research on growing in coco. I only know the basics of coco growing so I wouldn’t be able to give you any detailed advice. The one thing I do know about it, however, is that you aren’t supposed to let it dry out like soil.
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I know that coco is a lot different to soil I have grown in coco once before from clone this time I’m going from seed, I had no problems on the first grow letting the medium dry a bit.

I’m not letting the medium dry completely just the top inch or so, further down is still moist.
 
Wangdoodler

Wangdoodler

Member
She is overwaterd and has Mg issues. No problem. First of all that is not a seedling, it’s a plant now. Feed accordingly. A bottle of botanicare cal-mag plus (a quart is $20) will solve that. Coco is naturally deficient in these elements, so you should flush your coco with 10ml/g to prep Before you plant anything. Then feed at 1/2 strength nutes for 2 days at pH at 5.9-6.1 (most proficient range for Ca & Mg uptake.) Her job right now is to search for nutes and grow roots. That’s it. Let her dry out completely. By that time your at week 2 and your full steam ahead. Remember, the plant doesn’t make mistakes. We do. So prepare beforehand. +++ Coco Coir & Fabric Pots = HappyLife
 
TonyGuyZ

TonyGuyZ

Member
too much water im sure
Scottydadog said:
Thanks for the info, now have a few questions lol.

If I water to run off then let the pots get light and the top inch or so dry which might take 3 days or so, how could I be over watering?

If I’m not to let the top inch of coco dry when would you recommend that I water, when the pots are lighter but top layer of coco is still damp?

Would you say best thing for my mg deficiency would be foliar feed with Epsom salts?
Click to expand...

Just because the top is dry doesnt mean the bottom is where the roots are growing
 
S

Scottydadog

Active Member
Wangdoodler said:
She is overwaterd and has Mg issues. No problem. First of all that is not a seedling, it’s a plant now. Feed accordingly. A bottle of botanicare cal-mag plus (a quart is $20) will solve that. Coco is naturally deficient in these elements, so you should flush your coco with 10ml/g to prep Before you plant anything. Then feed at 1/2 strength nutes for 2 days at pH at 5.9-6.1 (most proficient range for Ca & Mg uptake.) Her job right now is to search for nutes and grow roots. That’s it. Let her dry out completely. By that time your at week 2 and your full steam ahead. Remember, the plant doesn’t make mistakes. We do. So prepare beforehand. +++ Coco Coir & Fabric Pots = HappyLife
Click to expand...
Hey thanks for your input.

I’m going to let them dry and up the feed when I next water.

Would Epsom salts in foliar feed help with the mg deficiency? I don’t think I need any calcium as the water where I am is hard.
 
C

CannaCountry

Well-Known Member
If you're running coco; don't let it dry it out...not even the top inch. Feed every day...if you think you're over watering add a pot with better drainage and / or add perlite to your mix. In the end though, you want to be feeding everyday, and if you're not, you might as well grow in soil.

You are correct in your logic that Epsom salts, as a foliar spray, is a fix for a Mg issue, however, you should incorporate Mg in your feed on a daily basis. The foliar spray is a quick band aid, but not how you want to feed Mg over time.

Good luck
 
its.always.420

its.always.420

Well-Known Member
Scottydadog said:
Hey thanks for your input.

I’m going to let them dry and up the feed when I next water.

Would Epsom salts in foliar feed help with the mg deficiency? I don’t think I need any calcium as the water where I am is hard.
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If you foliar- you will make the plant slow down root uptake- which you don't want to do right now.
 
S

Scottydadog

Active Member
its.always.420 said:
You need to let that pot dry down completly and then feed with SMALL AMOUNTS, daily. Don't worry about runoff until it can take more water at a time. Keep the coco moist but not soaked.
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Thanks, I think I will give this a go.

Would you say mixing some Epsom salt with next watering is my best option rather than foliar feed then?
 
Mr.Head

Mr.Head

Well-Known Member
What kind of coconut are you using? Prebuffered?

You can let coco dry out between feedings there's nothing wrong with that. You need to watch for salt build up and have appropriate run off but there's nothing wrong with it at all.

Coconut is versatile. There's no one way to skin this cat. Make sure your PH/EC is right and that you have a prebuffered coconut, like Canna's/plenty of other companies, and you can treat it like hydro or soil. Either way make sure you have a developed root system before feeding daily/multiple times a day, especially important in straight coconut choir. Achieve this by allowing the pot to dry out and the root system to expand in search of water a couple times.

When a plant is not up-taking water and has a constantly wet medium root rot is a concern, even in coconut. Be mindful of this when feeding a small plant with an underdeveloped root system more than it needs.

I'd look into an RO system. It makes things easier than using city water with god knows what in it.
 
S

Scottydadog

Active Member
Mr.Head said:
What kind of coconut are you using? Prebuffered?

You can let coco dry out between feedings there's nothing wrong with that. You need to watch for salt build up and have appropriate run off but there's nothing wrong with it at all.

Coconut is versatile. There's no one way to skin this cat. Make sure your PH/EC is right and that you have a prebuffered coconut, like Canna's/plenty of other companies, and you can treat it like hydro or soil. Either way make sure you have a developed root system before feeding daily/multiple times a day, especially important in straight coconut choir. Achieve this by allowing the pot to dry out and the root system to expand in search of water a couple times.

When a plant is not up-taking water and has a constantly wet medium root rot is a concern, even in coconut. Be mindful of this when feeding a small plant with an underdeveloped root system more than it needs.

I'd look into an RO system. It makes things easier than using city water with god knows what in it.
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Hi I’m using ecothrive straight coco premixed with 2% charge, it is pre buffered. There Are so many different opinions but like you say there’s more than one way to skin a cat so I guess I just have to find what works for me.
 
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