Dark Devil Autoflower First Time Grow - Are my plants sick?

[Catcohern]

Hey guys,
I've been following a few different grow reports and it inspired me to give it a go myself so away I went. Having picked 4 Dark Devil Auto from Sweet Seeds I decided on coco fibre as my growing medium as it was recommended by the grow shop - having read a few different things I'm not sure if that was the best move given that I'm a complete newbie?! I started them using a 125 watt CFL and switched to 400 watt HPS after propagation.
My plants have just started week 7 and vertical growth has slowed considerably. I gave them their first 1/4 strength bloom nutrients yesterday. For the past 2 weeks I have noticed that some of the bigger fan leaves have gone quite yellow and a few dark spots have started appearing. Also on two of the plants the leaves seem to be slightly more droopy than I think is normal? ( I've been using the wet/dry method for deciding when to water so I think I've been careful when it cones to overwatering)
From what I can tell it's the older leaves that seem to look the worst. Any new growth appearing looks to be nice and green but I just get the feeling that thins aren't quite right? I would really appreciate it if someone could help me out and let me know their thoughts. It's been such a fantastic experience so far and would hate for things to mess up, especially if I'm doing something wrong! Thanks guys

 

[DABaracuss]

Hey NP man looks like they are hungry as hell..have you used cal/mag? I increase the nutes about 100ppm a week or untill I see tip burn..then dial it back for a week ..:smokebuds:Im here to help!

 

[DABaracuss]

Also we have Sweet Seeds Rep on hand im sure they would love to have you grow there and maybe get a few more EYEs on ya grow...I have some DD On the way I grew out red poison,sweet cheese and black cream all winners!:smokebuds::tiphat:

 

[Catcohern]

Hey man, thanks for getting back to me so quickly, much appreciated! Right I see, I thought it may have been a problem with over feeding so the water before last I just gave them plain Ph'd water. As they are autos I was kinda hesitant to go crazy on the nutes so I only increased it up to 1/2 strength. No I haven't used any cal/mag, I've just checked the nutes I'm using and it doesn't look like there's any in there. Do you think this is my problem and how serious is it? Thanks man

 

[Catcohern]

Ah cool okay, what's the best way to get in touch with the Sweet seeds guy? Awesome, how are yours getting along?

 

[blessedinwashington]

I'm using Coco for the first time. I have one large (for me 7 1/2 gal) that is all coco. After than I went back to 1/2 coco and 1/2 soil to give it more body in the medium. With the coco you need to water often. Way more often that with soil. Also it is really hard to overwater in coco as it should just run on through the pot. They def in my opinion need some nutes and water.

 

[DABaracuss]

NP man I had the same problem when I started..Its a balance ..switching nutes to bloom then up to full strength.dude I know how it is..I over fed then next I under fed cuz I was afraid to overfeed again LOL .I try to give mine just as much as they want..its tricky ..you got to know your strains info for better results..some dont like nutes and throw a fit..But my SS all loved nutes ..I had a lil 2 much N in my grow but they came out fine as wine and frosty!

 

[blue]

They're looking good cat! ^_^

Just a bit underfed as DAB said - (nice advice on the (ec upping) feeding DAB!)
I think you made a good choice with the coco - i get much better root development and find watering easier with coco.

 

[Kush T]

Hey cat.. I know nada about coco but I do know those are hungry girls for sure.. What's your run off pH sitting at.. If it's where it should be then up your feed.. Steadily..

Really that's what you want to be doing from the first feeding... Building them up each week with a progressively stronger feed.. Until you reach their limit then ease off a little & cruise on home.

You're doing well for your first grow cat.. So don't get disheartened.. Most first grow plants end up a little... Haggard shall we say.

Mine were shocking!!

 

[Catcohern]

I'm using Coco for the first time. I have one large (for me 7 1/2 gal) that is all coco. After than I went back to 1/2 coco and 1/2 soil to give it more body in the medium. With the coco you need to water often. Way more often that with soil. Also it is really hard to overwater in coco as it should just run on through the pot. They def in my opinion need some nutes and water.

Right okay. I'm currently using 6 litre pots which I think is quite a bit smaller isn't it? Do you think I could increase the size for my next grow? How are you finding the full coco compared with the 50/50 mix? In terms of watering I've been scared to over water and so have only been watering roughly every 4 days (but still using pot lifting to gauge dryness) Can I afford to water them slightly earlier in coco then? Thank you