When the Solution Is Worse than the Problem: Bud Hairs Gone!

Roggers

Member
Hi,

I just signed on today, after spending two weeks on 420mag trying to find definite answers to my problems (Impossible with so many egos). I finally went to YouTube, watch a few videos with "The Grow Boss," and another video (I can't remember). Not only did TGB explain what was happening (Spider mites), but the other video mentioned your forum. Decided to come and check it out!:)
I, too, have never come across spidermites until this recent grow, where I graduated from a 12x24x48 tent w/CFLs, to a 4x4x80 tent w/ HP/MH 400/600 lights respectively. What did I do wrong? Well, I put off buying the complete tent setup, so my tent wasn't properly ventilated for all that heat during the flowering stage, and though I don't feel like I overnuted, it's clear that between the shock of transplanting, transferring and initial attempts at LST, the plant just shut down and locked out (I don't know if this is true, but I'm guessing lock-out isn't limited to one reason).

Anyway, next thing I know, I'm seeing the yellow spots, the holes,...all of it. By the time I got a half-straight answer from the other forum, my crop was looking like crap- pure crap, and this is only the third week of flowering. I managed to find a solution, and as of this morning, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and there are no bugs in view. I'll be watching closely, as from now on, learning and understanding the science of pesticides will forever be a part of my growing journey. But I could use some info/help on the aftermath of the infestation. Here goes:

The crop never got to the point of "cobwebbing" as I've seen on Youtube videos, but once I discovered what it was, I began looking for cures of the organic kind. I came across a homemade solution of baking soda, canola oil, dish liquid and water. I used it and it did more damage than the mites! The next day, the hairs on my crop turned brown or have totally disappeared. I don't have photos yet - my phone is on the fritz - but even with mites, the hairs/trichomes where white, large and clearly growing. I'm still not sure what happened, and if anyone has the ideas, I'd love to learn more.

Anyway, here's the question:
I finally got the right stuff and believe me when I say the difference was an overnight success (I still have much to do), but after all this, with the hairs gone and/or browned throughout the crop, intensive defoliating (it "was" a SCROG, but I removed it to get the job done), and restarting the watering/feeding schedule (slowly, but more frequent), do I even have a crop? Will the hairs return, or was the home solution the final nail in the coffin?
If there's a way to know, it would be great, because I don't want to waste the nutes and ferts on a dead/dying crop, and I have three more vegging in the other tent, and they're being fed a systemic preventative against the potential of future attacks.
And yep, I'll be cleaning, scrubbing, fogging and preparing for the return of the "Borgmites" before going into flower with those three!
 

Indacouch

Well-Known Member
Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure ....all I could offer is what has worked for me for many years ......Azamax,Neem concentrate and a drop of dawn ....I use a 32oz spray bottle and mist my plants every 10 days or so in Veg......I like to stop all pest sprays when flower time comes along ....for obvious reasons .......Azamax is pricey, but works very well IMO ....GL to you

Happy growing

Azamax says it can be sprayed up to day of harvest btw.....and mites are the devil, as you know now
 

Roggers

Member
? I already have the solution for the mites. I'm trying to learn about the hairs on the plant buds.
 
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