Dutch Passion Need some help

[killabee420]

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum. I am also a first time autoflower grower. I have many grows under my belt, but mostly outdoor and one DWC. The DWC I had alot of problems with cause I didn't have the time to keep up with it. Anyways to my point. I am having some small issue with what I got going on now. Oh I guess I could tell you a little bit about my set up. I have 2 Sunleaves Pioneer VIII t5's. Which I couldn't ask for a better light. I am growing 8 think different strains. I originally had 10 going, but 2 of them didn't make it . They were planted in 3 gallon air pots with Fox Farm ocean forest, Fox Farm light warrior, and perlite. The room I have them in is about 9 X 9. I know it's a bit big for just 8 plants but I like to have room to work in. The temperature for now stays between 78 and 81 degrees F. Im getting ready to buy a bigger fan cause the one I have isn't doing the job I want it to. I really wanna keep the temp between 72 and 76. Maybe I can get some input on that. Humidity stays around the mid 50's. Ok now to my issue. I didn't check the PH level of the soil when I first put the seeds in. So Im thinking that I might have a soil PH problem. The tester I have is a piece of crap. So maybe I could get some input on a good product to buy. When I water the plants I PH the water at 6. So I know Im good there. I've tried so many different ways of testing the PH level of the soil and so far nothing as worked for me. Maybe is my room to hot? The plants don't have anything wrong with them. Besides some of them, the leaves are curling down. However there is no yellowing going on or anything of that sort. Like I said this is my first autoflower grow. So can I please get some positive feedback on this. Everything and anything would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[gbd]

you'd be better served to post in the 'new growers forum', as i've found out. if i had any experience with soil i'd offer it, but i'm a new comer myself, and have only messed with dwc. good luck!

 

[killabee420]

Thanks for the info bro! I really only need to ask some basic info for now. I'll post what questions I need answered there. Again thanks mane!!!

 

[The Squid]

Hey there bro. Welcome to the farm.

Fox Farms soil is said to be kinda low in ph and needs lime added to it to stabalize it and raise it up. Also, for soil your optimum ph is 6.5. I recommend buying a bag of powdered dolomite lime(it's cheap) from your local garden center of choice, and adding a Tablespoon per gallon of water and ph that at 7 and water with it. The lime takes about 6 days to work, but it will raise and should straighten you out. Do you have ph up and down products?

The 'claw' you have is a definite sign of ph issues. And as far as you temps go you are golden as long as you're getting proper ventilation. Are you getting proper ventilation? Warm air needs to be exhausted and new, fresh air pulled in. This is done with an inline fan for exhaust and passive intake air. 80F is perfect IMO. Some go even higher or lower. Canna is pretty damn hearty so as long as you you keep it wherever you are and not have wild temp swings you should be just fine. What kind of bigger fan are you speaking of getting?

Autos tend to be more sensitive to nutrients than photos. You should be good with you mixture of the LW and OF. Starting in straight OF isn't recommended, but has been done plenty with success, it just depends. With that mix, they won't need anymore food for three weeks, just plain ph 6.5 water after you get that lime in and back up.

Here is a great soil probe tester.> http://www.amazon.com/ACCURATE-SOIL-AND-MOISTURE-METER/dp/B00401CEH2

You also need a good digital meter to test your water, feeds and runoff with. Like this> http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/hanna-grochek-phep4-phtemperature-tester-p-435.html

There are cheaper ones, but you get what you pay for. I have the even more expensive one made by Hanna the same company and it reads ph, ppm and tds. The one I listed is just ph, but great too.

Hope this helps. Good luck man.

 

[hereb4]

since you are able to test the ph of water going in to your soil....why not test the ph of the excess or "runoff" water that comes out when you water. then you can make adjustments with the ph of the in-going water to achieve your target ph . (I use mid-6 range in soil)
if you want to test the ph of the soil itself....
I personally own a accurate wizard 8 soil probe...it works well for $80 USD...found it on fleabay

hope that helps..

 

[Man In The Jar]

Hello killabee420 welcome
So you got a crap PH meter....You ph you water going in at 6 so no worry there
Why not check the water coming out and see what ph is..... like Hereb4 says ?
if you trust the meter for in going, should be ok for water coming out.
Myself I would run to the nearest hydro store and invest in a good ph meter.
and test water going in and coming out then go for your adjustment.
Your using a very light soil mix and air pots so there going to dry out rather quickly
maybe they just need water more often ?
This hobby is like any other start with the right tools and you wont go wrong...

Good luck to ya bro


MITJ

 

[killabee420]

I do have have ph up and down. I tested the run off after watering the plants. 3 out of eight plants are sitting at ph level of 6. The other five where sitting at a ph level of 5. All of them are 4 weeks in as of this Sunday. I'm not sure how often I should water them. Just because I read so many different threads that are vary in watering plants this far in. So as of right now. I am watering them every 3 days with a litter and a half. Monday is when I need to water them again. Going to start with the nutrient. I really want to do a compost tea but I already have the nutrient solutions. So this round I'm going to stick with that. Do you have any advice on how I should start the nuterient? I've read from many many threads that you should go half strength or a quarter strength. Does that sound about right?

As far as the ventilation goes. I'm not really having any problems with it. The temp fluxuates from 79 to 84 degress fahrenheit. There's more being pulle out then there is are being pulled in. I do have 2 oscillation fans in the room. One pointing and hitting the bottom of the ladies and one pointing upwards circulating the air around the room.

Now with the testing the ph level of the water. I just use the general hydroponice ph tester. I've always used it. So I pretty much just stick with that.

Thank you for all the info. It is very much appreciated. When I have the money to buy a better camera. I will post pictures a.s.a.p. Again thank you.