What's up with this young plant?

[Dr. Frog]

I know this says autoflower infirmary, but I've got a young photo plant with an issue. Figured I'd ask the legitimate plant doctors out there. Looks like a micronutrient deficiency caused by pH, but why would only one plant be affected?

So they're about two weeks from seed, a Tangie and Gigabud. The Gigabud is healthy as can be imo. But the Tangie is definitely upset.

Here's what I know so far:

Both plants have had identical treatment. Same water/food in the exact same amounts, and they sit right next to each other in the grow space. Medium is straight Sunshine Advanced #4 in 1 gallon fabric pots. I do know that my tap water pH went through a major swing recently; (devastating my current autos. *rage*) at one point it was ~8. First week was tap water, then they got a very mild Iguana Juice feed at 1ml per l. Today they got more Iguana and recently delivered Voodoo, but this time I tested the nute mix and pH'd it down to 6. Hopefully that will correct it?

Just seems so odd that one is thriving, and the other is barely surviving.


I got lazy with checking my tap pH because it was always the same. Still waiting on a water report from the local water treatment plant to see what the heck changed.

Anybody have any idea what went wrong and/or why they're so different?

Thanks!

 

[Renaissance Redneck]

Looks like you had a big time potassium lock-out, Dr Frog. What bloom nutes do you have that are high in K and low on N?

 

[Dr. Frog]

Hmmm. I've got some:

Iguana Juice Grow: 3-1-3
IJ Bloom: 4-3-6
Nirvana (bloom booster): 0-0-1

Also have some molasses that says it's 0-0-3.

What would cause the lockout, and on only the one plant? I'm really bad at keeping all the plant nutrient relationships straight. Maybe it's because they're just different strains and one is more tolerant?

 

[Renaissance Redneck]

Most likely, it's the different strains Frog. I've had gals growing side by side, one would start to crash while the other was thriving.
Good molasses has almost 300 mg of K per TBSP, so it's a good source.
I would give a TBSP of molasses in a gallon of water, and a full dose of the Nirvana. With K def, the leaves won't recover, but the plant will.
Don't trim off the banged up leaves, if they're no longer useful your plant will do that for you.
You aren't adding N with this, so feed as usual and check that pH every time

 

[Dr. Frog]

Thanks homie. I should of given them molasses today, especially with introducing Voodoo. Got a ways to go before I can water, so I'll foliar feed some molasses + Nirvana for now. Guess we'll see if it helps when new growth comes in. I'll report back when there's noticeable changes.

 

[Renaissance Redneck]

I would not foliar feed molasses, Frog. And I have never used Nirvana. How wet is your soil? Are you a day or two out on watering?

 

[Kakarot]

I got some Aurora Indica Female Photo beans from Nirvana they are actually going to be my next grow... Hopefully they turn good. I am going to keep watch to see what you report good luck man!

 

[Dr. Frog]

I would not foliar feed molasses, Frog. And I have never used Nirvana. How wet is your soil? Are you a day or two out on watering?

Lol, too late! Why wouldn't you foliar molasses? High AF and just went for it. [emoji14] I've read a few recommendations for using it this way because of the trace minerals.

Nirvana is relatively new to me, but it seems to be a good organic "booster". Alfalfa and kelp for hormones I'm guessing, ewc, "fermented compost", azomite, fulvic acid, whey aminos, and some natural wetting agents including yucca. I've noticed that when used either foliar or drenched, plants have a specific response. They really start to aim their leaves toward the light. It looked pretty dramatic on the strawberries I first tested it on. It's labeled a flower booster, but their info online says it's great the whole grow, too.

Just watered them this morning, so they're still wet.

 

[Renaissance Redneck]

Lol, too late! Why wouldn't you foliar molasses? High AF and just went for it.

I've read a few recommendations for using it this way because of the trace minerals.

The Nirvana I don't worry so much about.
Damaged and weak leaves can be vectors for nasty little microbes, sugar is a good grow medium.
I tend to be on the paranoid side when it comes to things. On the bright side, me being paranoid doesn't mean I'm right

Nirvana is relatively new to me, but it seems to be a good organic "booster".

I'll have to try some. Sounds like a great macros package.

 

[Waira]

Frog-- As Red mentioned, different strains, different tolerances,.. individual pots can drift into different chemistries as well, despite identical treatment,... but the key factor was the big alkalinity jump... I see a major Zn defc. going on, and that's because Zn lock waaay out under that high pH! It's also an immobile nute, meaning the plant can't really tap into other lower leaves for what it needs at new growth sites, so it manifests at the top of the plant largely,... factor in the very low nute/ capacity of that #4 mix, and no micro nutrient (Earth Juice Microblast is your ticket), and even a young plant like that will go deficient,... if you've corrected the media pH, that's half the battle, but a dedicated supplement as mentioned is critical to fix this,.. fert's alone won't cut it... Also, P will lock out at that 8.0 pH,... K is still okay,... the other necrotic damage is probably the P defc., but the chlorotic zones on the upper growth is typical Zn defc.,... a healthy feed is in order, just mind the strength to avoid nute burn,..roots may not be very happy yet.. hit her with Superthrive, or something else that'll promote rooting and counter shock (B1 vit's)... and find some micronutrient supp's too! Molasses has Ca, Mg, K and a little Fe,...