Identifying deficiencies in early growth: need help

[Kinghummingbird]

The Meigs Formula One at 8g/gal provides:

110 ppm N
40 ppm P
53 K
232 Ca
26 Mg
10.3 Fe

Too low in K, and way too high in Ca and Fe

The Meigs Formula Two at 12g/gal provides:

94 ppm N
74 P
184 K
468 Ca
71 Mg
17.4 Fe

Way too high (extremely) in Ca and Fe!

I have to say that I don’t think very highly of either. I wish I knew what the fertilizer designer was thinking!

I wish I knew but I'm happy to call. What baseline is the comparison made to? What kind of options are available for offsetting the high values? Here's the liquid if a pattern might emerge:

 

[FelipeBlu]

What baseline is the comparison made to? What kind of options are available for offsetting the high values? Here's the liquid if a pattern might emerge:

I don’t know if there’s an absolute baseline, but there’s a general consensus among gardeners that a good ratio for growth has more K - at least as much as N, if not more.

And such a high value of Ca is sure to cause issues with the efficient uptake of other nutrients, like K, Mg, and Fe (see all the red lines from Ca on Mulder’s Chart)

 

[Kinghummingbird]

I don’t know if there’s an absolute baseline, but there’s a general consensus among gardeners that a good ratio for growth has more K - at least as much as N, if not more.

And such a high value of Ca is sure to cause issues with the efficient uptake of other nutrients, like K, Mg, and Fe (see all the red lines from Ca on Mulder’s Chart)

I was hoping you might bring that up! I have seen this chart around here a couple times. I suspect I can google more info about the details of it and how it works. I get the basic principle that one nutrient can have an effect on another. Does the green mean, for example, that an increase in N will Increase the availability of (at the very least) Mo and Mg? Also interesting to note that I see a lot of fert lines with products specifically targeting 'CAL-MAG' problems. Why is that? Grow medium realted?

Also you mentioned the DTW thing. I think that was the idea that I had going into making a blend but didnt want the waste part. Whether or not I can keep a colony of anything alive in this medium remains to be seen, but there is organic matter in there for them to feed on. With sugars and weekly inoculation I think it will hold.

2 gal Coco
2 gal peat moss
1.5 gal perlite
2 gal soil conditioner (Fox Farm)

I wanted a nutrient neutral (or near neutral) medium with a blend of the benefits of peat and coco. I also wanted the system to be able to hold water so I didn't have to water everyday. I might increase the amount of perlite to increase the drainage because right now plants are wanting water on an odd cycle compared to a once weekly dose of nutrients. My plan is to nute on Saturdays and water on Wednesday with allowances for maintenance watering. If all this sounds very Frankenstein, it is! Here is where the girls stand today. Some progress. but one auto may be wanting to start flowring already. Or at least it's getting some hair. Still have brown spots. My original thought was nute burn but these leaves have had nothing sprayed or dropped on them that I am aware of. The pathetic little thing in the coco-char blend may not make it!

The only thing I seem to have going for me is a pretty decent grow environment!

 

[Kinghummingbird]

Little update:

What's the 411 on the pesky brown spots? Good fast acting organic amendment to solve? It's on the autos in my custom blend. Thanks all!

 

[FelipeBlu]

First photo - leaf is a good green.
Second photo - leaf quite dark (getting lots of N - maybe borderline too much?).
Third photo - old lower leaf? Showing mostly Mg def, but other elements pulled out also.

 

[Kinghummingbird]

First photo - leaf is a good green.
Second photo - leaf quite dark (getting lots of N - maybe borderline too much?).
Third photo - old lower leaf? Showing mostly Mg def, but other elements pulled out also.

The dark lead is in FFOF with the powder fert. Had the same problem with that dirt last time around.

Spotting on third leaf sporadic on rest plant. Good fast acting source of magnesium?

 

[Kinghummingbird]

Also, sorry about the terrible grammar up there. Did that on the fly!

 

[FelipeBlu]

Now, that second photo looks like some past pH problems.

 

[Kinghummingbird]

Now, that second photo looks like some past pH problems.

The blend these girls are in checks a solid 6.25 on the richter scale. Each picture is from the same plant...

 

[FelipeBlu]

Severe Mg def then. Short-term, a foliar with 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in a quart of water, with a few drops of detergent, can be applied. Do not do this under strong light - end of light day is best.

Do you have any calmag?

 

[BakedARea]

Awesome knowledge and wisdom in this journal. Following along!

I'm definitely curious about the nutrient calculator. I make my own dry fertilizer mix and I also typically mix my wet fertilizers with various components. I've been trying to figure out a good methodology to calculating everything correctly for proper dosage.

 

[FelipeBlu]

NERD ALERT

To make your own spreadsheet, you only need to know this formula:

Elemental % (e.g. 4% N - found on label) x Dose (ml or g/gal) x 2.64

This works for all elements except P and K. You must multiply the result for P by 0.43 and multiply by 0.83 the result for K. This is because the label presents phosphate as phosphorus, etc.

If it’s a dry mix, you’re done. But if it’s a liquid, multiply the above by the density (wgt/vol) of the liquid fertilizer (also on label - probably in kgs and milliters).

 

[FelipeBlu]

This is what my spreadsheet looks like

 

[Kinghummingbird]

Severe Mg def then. Short-term, a foliar with 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in a quart of water, with a few drops of detergent, can be applied. Do not do this under strong light - end of light day is best.

Do you have any calmag?

I do. It has been introduced in the last two feedings. Or at least the Meigs has. I also have a Roots Organics bottle. Interesting only this one plant showing this problem. It's the plant in the middle. Also I'm finding it interesting the genetic variation in size.

 

[Kinghummingbird]

Awesome knowledge and wisdom in this journal. Following along!

I'm definitely curious about the nutrient calculator. I make my own dry fertilizer mix and I also typically mix my wet fertilizers with various components. I've been trying to figure out a good methodology to calculating everything correctly for proper dosage.

The knowledge is definitely not mine. Ha! Thanks for joining. Turning out to be a good log of this grow.

 

[Kinghummingbird]

I don’t know if there’s an absolute baseline, but there’s a general consensus among gardeners that a good ratio for growth has more K - at least as much as N, if not more.

And such a high value of Ca is sure to cause issues with the efficient uptake of other nutrients, like K, Mg, and Fe (see all the red lines from Ca on Mulder’s Chart)

Given current situation with the mag deficiency, what other nutrients should I be prepared with?

 

[Kinghummingbird]

NERD ALERT

To make your own spreadsheet, you only need to know this formula:

Elemental % (e.g. 4% N - found on label) x Dose (ml or g/gal) x 2.64

This works for all elements except P and K. You must multiply the result for P by 0.43 and multiply by 0.83 the result for K. This is because the label presents phosphate as phosphorus, etc.

If it’s a dry mix, you’re done. But if it’s a liquid, multiply the above by the density (wgt/vol) of the liquid fertilizer (also on label - probably in kgs and milliters).

Good info! Can you run one example based on the CalMag nutes I listed? It would help to see those numbers plugged into the formula. Thanks so much for all the help! Passed on a joint to stranger today in respect.

 

[FelipeBlu]

I do. It has been introduced in the last two feedings. Or at least the Meigs has. I also have a Roots Organics bottle. Interesting only this one plant showing this problem. It's the plant in the middle. Also I'm finding it interesting the genetic variation in size.

Glad to help. Since these appear to be liquids, the weight and volume are also needed.

 

[Kinghummingbird]

Glad to help. Since these appear to be liquids, the weight and volume are also needed.

Is that info on the label? The roots organics says 5ml per gallon. Right stuff?

 

[FelipeBlu]

What size bottle - quart/liter, etc? On the (front?) label, they should show the weight.