pH out of control. No idea why its climbing so hi so fast.

[Mike20132]

hey buddy sorry to hear of your misfortunes. a decent ph pen is definately a must. i think ph perfect is really only for soil. (you did get hydro specific nutes eh?) given how a hydro res works i dont really see how it can be possible for a solution to intelligently control its ph through such drastic swings in its concentration.
also i havent seen hydroguard or sm90 mentioned anywhere are you using something like that? really helps keep the res healthy

I use AN's Voodoo Juice, which I believe is the same thing. Adding it to the first two batches (2L each) of "food" to build up a colony after every res flush. I did finally get a pH pen that seems to work, and work reliably.

The "pH Perfect" formulations of AN seem to do a fairly good job of buffering the pH against dramatic swings, but it needs assistance with regular additions of ph down to help it along.

Unfortunately, I estimate that I've lost around 75% of the potential yield, with one plant now pretty much dead (the larger of the two, of course) and the other is just a few weeks away from it's natural death, and the flowers aren't terribly large.

Having exhausted my reserve of "medicine," I'm pretty bummed over it. But it was (and continues to be) a great learning experience.

 

[Mike20132]

...praying to the flower gods.... PLEASE let these bulk up fast On day 46. Lowryder 2 is supposed to be 9 weeks from seeds to chop, so I think there should be enough time to get something decent. I am already adding the AN Big Bud along with continuing to add B52 (2ml/L each) and I'm sprinkling in .25grams/Liter of epsom salt to stave off any Mn deficiencies.

I've heard people say that when its a few weeks into flowering, its relatively safe to lop off a smaller (non cola) bud to sample. Any opinions on this? It seems to me that intentionally stressing the plant is the last thing I would want to do. That said, I am absolutely certain the urge will present itself. Hell, it already is and the flowers are still really small.

 

[Mike20132]

So far, I'm managing to keep the pH between 5.8 and 6.2, and the plants have shown a dramatic increase in nutrient solution uptake since the original problem. Upwards of 1.75 liters a day. I've only seen ppm deviate about 20 points plus or minus, so I have a feeling I have the nutes dialed in for now as well. Was a scary few weeks there, but things are looking good. At least as good as can be expected under the circumstances. Really looking forward to my second grow, where I should have better results, now that I know what NOT to do.

 

[MedGrower]

So far, I'm managing to keep the pH between 5.8 and 6.2, and the plants have shown a dramatic increase in nutrient solution uptake since the original problem. Upwards of 1.75 liters a day. I've only seen ppm deviate about 20 points plus or minus, so I have a feeling I have the nutes dialed in for now as well. Was a scary few weeks there, but things are looking good. At least as good as can be expected under the circumstances. Really looking forward to my second grow, where I should have better results, now that I know what NOT to do.

This is a very good sign. I am sure you are still going to get a decent haul if you just manage to keep it going just as you are right now. Right about now when the plant goes through solution at high rate, it is important to measure it daily and adjust as needed for optimal results. I have my fingers crossed for you bro, hope it all continues to go well

 

[Mike20132]

This is a very good sign. I am sure you are still going to get a decent haul if you just manage to keep it going just as you are right now. Right about now when the plant goes through solution at high rate, it is important to measure it daily and adjust as needed for optimal results. I have my fingers crossed for you bro, hope it all continues to go well

I am afraid of letting it go a whole day between checks/adjustments/feedings. I try to check it ever hour or two (besides when I am asleep). Full babysit mode engaged at this point. I am adding in a little epsom salt for any Mn deficiencies (.25g/L), 1.5ml/L of the base AN nutes, and 2ml/l of Big Bud and B52. Not sure I really have to worry about calcium. Pretty sure any nutrient problems I was having were a lockout from pH. I am watching ppm trends to make small adjustments to added amounts of concentrates, I think if i can keep the swings to below 20ppm/day I am pretty close to where I need to be.

Now on to the "important" question - When this girl starts piling on flowers, and I get to the point where my anxiety is getting out of control, how much harm is there in trimming off one of the lower flowers? I don't want to stress the plants, but if possible I want to avoid stressing myself, too..

This is where I was going to steal from... these were pulled out from under the main plant so they would get light, and they might produce some decent weight.

Also, they are at least a foot below the main canopy, if that matters.

 

[Mike20132]

Here's what they look like now overall. I can see a little recovery in whatever isn't already dead on the plant on the right, so we'll see what that manages to produce.

 

[Rev. Green Genes]

and I get to the point where my anxiety is getting out of control, how much harm is there in trimming off one of the lower flowers?

Mike! I get anxiety pretty bad sometimes too. I also tend to go into nurse mode with them and micro-analyze everything. The last few days have seen me get real close to anxiety attacks over my grow. In reality, the plants are strong as could be and will take a lot of abuse. The real source of my anxiety is other parts of my life, it seems to get placed on my plants though. At least they are well grounded. I have gone through it a dozen times now and I'm starting to relax a bit over it all.

I'm having the same pH swings you are, and checking three times a day. I've added 250 ml of Double Down in 12 hours. This morning it was back up to 6.2 again.
It has got to be the nutes or additives reacting badly. I changed out the whole rez, with filtered water that sat out a week. and started from scratch, mixing and pH'ng as I went. Had it stable at 5.7, and boom. Shit hit the fan again by morning. I don't get it, but it's happening.

When this happens to me, I use optic foliar overgrow for deficiency relief and get the pH under control as fast as possible. That's all I can do anyway, so no more anxiety. At least you're PPM meter didn't break too. Mine did right while I was in the middle of the rez change. LOL. It will level out soon I hope.

 

[Mike20132]

Mike! I get anxiety pretty bad sometimes too. I also tend to go into nurse mode with them and micro-analyze everything. The last few days have seen me get real close to anxiety attacks over my grow. In reality, the plants are strong as could be and will take a lot of abuse. The real source of my anxiety is other parts of my life, it seems to get placed on my plants though. At least they are well grounded. I have gone through it a dozen times now and I'm starting to relax a bit over it all.

I'm having the same pH swings you are, and checking three times a day. I've added 250 ml of Double Down in 12 hours. This morning it was back up to 6.2 again.
It has got to be the nutes or additives reacting badly. I changed out the whole rez, with filtered water that sat out a week. and started from scratch, mixing and pH'ng as I went. Had it stable at 5.7, and boom. Shit hit the fan again by morning. I don't get it, but it's happening.

When this happens to me, I use optic foliar overgrow for deficiency relief and get the pH under control as fast as possible. That's all I can do anyway, so no more anxiety. At least you're PPM meter didn't break too. Mine did right while I was in the middle of the rez change. LOL. It will level out soon I hope.

My PPM meter didn't break, but I unfortunately received a bad batch of the 342ppm calibration solution. I tried three different bottles, and it kept reading about 140, and did not have enough range to adjust it properly. So I returned that one and the replacement had the same issue. When I contacted the manufacturer, they were getting the same result, and concluded that the solution was bad. When I hit the new meter with 1000ppm cal, it was dead on. I am told a good batch of 342 should be back in stock in a week or so, and for now at least my confidence in the meter has been restored.

As for the anxiety, I suffer from that and clinical depression. I have tried a good number of different prescription medicines, but none of them were terribly effective, and some the side effects were worse than the original symptom. I find that cannabis is really the only thing that helps, and I wont lie.... I really dig the "side effects." The person I was getting my stuff from had to move out of the area, and is now a 9 hours drive away. Between the drive and the hotel room, I just can't afford the trip out there every month. Hence, I have taken up this wonderful hobby of ours.

I really do hate to pester you with this, but if you or anyone else can answer the question about the safety of trimming off some of the lower flowers ahead of the main harvest, it would mean a lot to me. I realize they won't be as potent or as voluminous as they could be, but they might be good enough should my symptoms get too bad between now and the big day.

As always, your help and advise is very much appreciated.

 

[Rev. Green Genes]

My PPM meter didn't break, but I unfortunately received a bad batch of the 342ppm calibration solution. I tried three different bottles, and it kept reading about 140, and did not have enough range to adjust it properly. So I returned that one and the replacement had the same issue. When I contacted the manufacturer, they were getting the same result, and concluded that the solution was bad. When I hit the new meter with 1000ppm cal, it was dead on. I am told a good batch of 342 should be back in stock in a week or so, and for now at least my confidence in the meter has been restored.

As for the anxiety, I suffer from that and clinical depression. I have tried a good number of different prescription medicines, but none of them were terribly effective, and some the side effects were worse than the original symptom. I find that cannabis is really the only thing that helps, and I wont lie.... I really dig the "side effects." The person I was getting my stuff from had to move out of the area, and is now a 9 hours drive away. Between the drive and the hotel room, I just can't afford the trip out there every month. Hence, I have taken up this wonderful hobby of ours.

I really do hate to pester you with this, but if you or anyone else can answer the question about the safety of trimming off some of the lower flowers ahead of the main harvest, it would mean a lot to me. I realize they won't be as potent or as voluminous as they could be, but they might be good enough should my symptoms get too bad between now and the big day.

As always, your help and advise is very much appreciated.

No problems. It will not cause problems. You can cut as much as you like. I suggest defoliation at late flower as a tactic as well. The thicker the foliage the more moisture it holds in the canopy, and with the proper bad day you can get mold in the buds. Removing lower branches and defoliating will help prevent that with good air flow. Sometimes the lowers stretch enough to develop buds, sometimes they don't get enough light are underdeveloped and small. Cut those out first, and the cut all the smaller branches. I typically prune out the smallest, then start pruning up the main branches. I like to see bare stalks for the bottom 25% or so of the plant.I also tend to take ALL interior leaves out up the middle canopy area of the main stalk. They get far less light and just block air.

like this:

Sounds like you and I are kindred. I have the same issues. So since I presume you like more information rather than less....

Lollipopping: The act of removing all vegetative growth under the light canopy. Used in conjunction with SCROG net growing. Claimed to increase top bud growth and deter molds. A more extreme pruning technique.

 

[Arthur]

@Mike20132, snip when you need to my friend, when I'm out and growing, I try to add 1 more plant to the tent, a sacrificial lady...taking the small fluffy undercarriage nugs, (in theory) allows the plant to put energy to the tops. Use your best judgment!