What Obstacle Is My Plant Facing?

[DramaMonkey1]

Hey guys! I am a first time grower, and I am doing an indoor closet grow. I am using organic growing methods, fox farm potting soil, and fox farm big grow and big bloom fertilizers. I am in week 5 of vegetation, and as this is my first grow, have run into some errors. I was not giving my plants enough nitrogen, so they were not growing as much as they should. One plant underwent a little bit of overwatering, as it had droopy leaves, but she bounced back and grew even stronger. Since then, I have pruned each plant a little to allow sunlight to get to lower branches. I topped both plants. One plant (the same one that underwent underwatering) is showing signs that I cannot pin point what it might be experiencing. The ends and sides of some of the leaves throughout the plant are curling under, but they don't seem dry. Here is the timeline of events that happened before this occurred:
I started fertilizing with big bloom fox farm during the 3rd week of vegetation. I started by fertilizing once a week, but then went into every other watering (watering every 3 days or until the top inch of soil is dry). I am in the 5th week of vegetation. Once I realized I needed the Big Grow fertilizer for the nitrogen, the next time I fed, which was Monday January 7th, I gave them a little bit of a heavier dose of feeding, thinking they may need the extra nitrogen. I think this could have been my error. One plant is doing fine. The other is the one experiencing the edges and sides of leaves curling under, the leaves are still a nice green color, maybe a little dark, but it is still maintaining new growth in its two new top colas. I am attaching a picture so you can see! (Another new grower mistake I made was transplanting too early, so maybe this is a result?)

 

[fanleaf]

Hey guys! I am a first time grower, and I am doing an indoor closet grow. I am using organic growing methods, fox farm potting soil, and fox farm big grow and big bloom fertilizers. I am in week 5 of vegetation, and as this is my first grow, have run into some errors. I was not giving my plants enough nitrogen, so they were not growing as much as they should. One plant underwent a little bit of overwatering, as it had droopy leaves, but she bounced back and grew even stronger. Since then, I have pruned each plant a little to allow sunlight to get to lower branches. I topped both plants. One plant (the same one that underwent underwatering) is showing signs that I cannot pin point what it might be experiencing. The ends and sides of some of the leaves throughout the plant are curling under, but they don't seem dry. Here is the timeline of events that happened before this occurred:
I started fertilizing with big bloom fox farm during the 3rd week of vegetation. I started by fertilizing once a week, but then went into every other watering (watering every 3 days or until the top inch of soil is dry). I am in the 5th week of vegetation. Once I realized I needed the Big Grow fertilizer for the nitrogen, the next time I fed, which was Monday January 7th, I gave them a little bit of a heavier dose of feeding, thinking they may need the extra nitrogen. I think this could have been my error. One plant is doing fine. The other is the one experiencing the edges and sides of leaves curling under, the leaves are still a nice green color, maybe a little dark, but it is still maintaining new growth in its two new top colas. I am attaching a picture so you can see! (Another new grower mistake I made was transplanting too early, so maybe this is a result?)

Pictures under normal light are the only ones we can help diagnose off of. I can tell you right now without better pictures you are causing soil issues by your watering habits at the very minimum. If you can please get some pictures up in normal lighting conditions and please read this link I am putting below. Watering issues are a new Growers number one issue. Improper watering will cause all sorts of problems and by your description I can tell you that you need help in this area. Please read this link and put up some normal pictures and we can go from there.The Proper Way To Water A Potted Plant

 

[fanleaf]

Hey guys! I am a first time grower, and I am doing an indoor closet grow. I am using organic growing methods, fox farm potting soil, and fox farm big grow and big bloom fertilizers. I am in week 5 of vegetation, and as this is my first grow, have run into some errors. I was not giving my plants enough nitrogen, so they were not growing as much as they should. One plant underwent a little bit of overwatering, as it had droopy leaves, but she bounced back and grew even stronger. Since then, I have pruned each plant a little to allow sunlight to get to lower branches. I topped both plants. One plant (the same one that underwent underwatering) is showing signs that I cannot pin point what it might be experiencing. The ends and sides of some of the leaves throughout the plant are curling under, but they don't seem dry. Here is the timeline of events that happened before this occurred:
I started fertilizing with big bloom fox farm during the 3rd week of vegetation. I started by fertilizing once a week, but then went into every other watering (watering every 3 days or until the top inch of soil is dry). I am in the 5th week of vegetation. Once I realized I needed the Big Grow fertilizer for the nitrogen, the next time I fed, which was Monday January 7th, I gave them a little bit of a heavier dose of feeding, thinking they may need the extra nitrogen. I think this could have been my error. One plant is doing fine. The other is the one experiencing the edges and sides of leaves curling under, the leaves are still a nice green color, maybe a little dark, but it is still maintaining new growth in its two new top colas. I am attaching a picture so you can see! (Another new grower mistake I made was transplanting too early, so maybe this is a result?)

We will also need to know which of the fox farm soils are you using? Is it the Happy Frog or the ocean Forest? Also when you do water how much water are you giving the plant? How often do you feed it and how much food are you giving it each feeding? What PH are you adjusting your food too? What type of water are you using? What led light is the exact model you are using? And finally another important one, what size pot is the plant in?

 

[DramaMonkey1]

Pictures under normal light are the only ones we can help diagnose off of. I can tell you right now without better pictures you are causing soil issues by your watering habits at the very minimum. If you can please get some pictures up in normal lighting conditions and please read this link I am putting below. Watering issues are a new Growers number one issue. Improper watering will cause all sorts of problems and by your description I can tell you that you need help in this area. Please read this link and put up some normal pictures and we can go from there.The Proper Way To Water A Potted Plant

I will have to take some better pictures tomorrow. I had to get a procedure today and so I have to limit movement . Thank you so much for sharing this article with me. I had no idea about this. I had been watering them about 2 quarts each time I watered. I also definitely transplanted them before they formed a strong root ball in their first container. Should I follow the method described at the beginning, in essence using 5 quarts, to help my plant to form a stronger root ball?

 

[fanleaf]

No problem at all. And yes, I would for sure.

 

[DramaMonkey1]

We will also need to know which of the fox farm soils are you using? Is it the Happy Frog or the ocean Forest? Also when you do water how much water are you giving the plant? How often do you feed it and how much food are you giving it each feeding? What PH are you adjusting your food too? What type of water are you using? What led light is the exact model you are using? And finally another important one, what size pot is the plant in?

I am using Fox Farm Ocean Forest. I am givin then 2 quarts. I feed using the “general feeding” portion suggested on the Fox Farm Big Grow fertilizer, which is 2-3 tsp per gallon. I initially started feeding it 3 weeks into veg. Started with once per week, and then moved to every other feeding 4 1/2 weeks in. I am not adjusting the ph of the food, was unaware of this method. I normally use rain water, but the last time I used tap water (I know this is bad. I’m getting distilled to have it instead). I am using a 300w grow light “Viparspectra UL Certified reflector series v300 300w LED grow light full spectrum for indoor veg and flower”. I bought it on amazon. The pot is a 5 gallon pot. (Which I realize after reading the article where my mistake was made)

 

[Emilya Green]

Greetings Monkey, and I am glad you liked my watering article. I would also like to suggest that you are using your FoxFarm nutrients incorrectly and instead of using the directions on the bottles, you should download the FoxFarm feeding schedule and correctly use the ratios of the nutrients that they suggest, which change for every week of the grow. That adjustment along with watering properly, and you should really start do dial this in.

 

[fanleaf]

I am using Fox Farm Ocean Forest. I am givin then 2 quarts. I feed using the “general feeding” portion suggested on the Fox Farm Big Grow fertilizer, which is 2-3 tsp per gallon. I initially started feeding it 3 weeks into veg. Started with once per week, and then moved to every other feeding 4 1/2 weeks in. I am not adjusting the ph of the food, was unaware of this method. I normally use rain water, but the last time I used tap water (I know this is bad. I’m getting distilled to have it instead). I am using a 300w grow light “Viparspectra UL Certified reflector series v300 300w LED grow light full spectrum for indoor veg and flower”. I bought it on amazon. The pot is a 5 gallon pot. (Which I realize after reading the article where my mistake was made)

Honestly there's quite a few mistakes and I don't say that to try to down you in anyway because I realize that you are new to this so let me break them down.
First, I just looked up your light and if you look at the actual power draw it is only a 130 watt LED. That is only enough light for about three square feet. I'm not sure what size room or tent your growing in but I know without a doubt that is not enough light to even bring one plant to bloom a very decent Harvest. Here is how you figure out how much light you need. With the purple LEDs like you have you want to have a minimum of 35 actual watts per square foot of grow space and up to 50 watts per square foot is optimal. If you can get your actual wattage not advertised but actual wattage per square foot up to about 40 to 45 Watts your plants will certainly grow more vigorously. Second issue is not adjusting pH of your food. Since you are growing in real soil your PH range should be from 6.2 to 6.8. I have no doubt that when you mix your food as directed it is probably in the mid fives which would actually be about 10 times more acidic than a mid 6. You need to get what you need to test the pH and a bottle of pH Up and a bottle of pH Down so the plant can actually eat the food that you are trying to give it. By adding acidic nutrients to the soil you actually lockout nutrients that came in the soil so the plant won't be able to eat not only the food you're giving it but the nutrition that is in the soil. You can find cheap digital PH meters online everywhere and at any Hydro Store. The third biggest thing is you shouldn't be feeding it any food at all yet. Being in a 5-gallon container with Fox Farm ocean forest soil being known as one of the richest soils that there is that soil has so much nutrition in it that in your size container you shouldn't even need to feed the plant probably until you get close to kicking it into flower. Your plant is still very small and there's no way it's even used a quarter of the nutrition that is built into that organic soil. The reason why it hasn't grown a whole lot in five weeks is simply lack of light and good watering habit. What I would do for now is get the required items that you will need down the road on the way such as the pH tester and a bottle of pH Up and a bottle of pH Down that way you have it when you actually need to start feeding your plant. I have to repeat one more time please don't feed it any more food right now! There is already a ton of food in the soil. For now just start watering it correctly as mentioned in that article you read and get some more light on that plant so it can grow. We can go from there and I am more than willing to help you further down the road as soon as needed.

 

[fanleaf]

I will have to take some better pictures tomorrow. I had to get a procedure today and so I have to limit movement . Thank you so much for sharing this article with me. I had no idea about this. I had been watering them about 2 quarts each time I watered. I also definitely transplanted them before they formed a strong root ball in their first container. Should I follow the method described at the beginning, in essence using 5 quarts, to help my plant to form a stronger root ball?

Just to be clear, don't transplant it to a smaller container now. Keep it in the one that's in at this point. Just wanted to make sure we're both on the same page

 

[TorturedSoul]

I'm guessing from the amount of "twiggy stuff" and visible perlite that it's Happy Frog - but that's just a guess, of course.

Speaking of perlite, I generally mix it at about a 3:1 ratio of soil to perlite, so as to provide excellent drainage/aeration characteristics. Some use a little more, some use a little less, but that seems to be about average (as far as I know; I could be wrong).

 

[fanleaf]

I'm guessing from the amount of "twiggy stuff" and visible perlite that it's Happy Frog - but that's just a guess, of course.

Speaking of perlite, I generally mix it at about a 3:1 ratio of soil to perlite, so as to provide excellent drainage/aeration characteristics. Some use a little more, some use a little less, but that seems to be about average (as far as I know; I could be wrong).

He confirmed its FFOF....Hot stuff lol

 

[TorturedSoul]

Oh. OOPS, lol. I probably shouldn't be trying to read/post with one eye closed and a pretty severe migraine, huh? Oh well, at least it's not a cluster headache - else I'd probably be in the corner in a ball with the lights off, wishing for unconsciousness.

EDIT: Thanks for setting me straight. Now if you could tell me where I've misplaced my generic version of Excedrin Migraine pills? I have aspirin and acetominiphin, but NO caffeine in the house, and I probably need that third ingredient most of all . I reckon I need to layer-up and hike to the nearest inconvenience store and buy a bottle of Dr. Pepper or something. Wonder if they still sell "357s" over the counter, lol? I don't need the corn syrup, just the caffeine.

 

[fanleaf]

Oh. OOPS, lol. I probably shouldn't be trying to read/post with one eye closed and a pretty severe migraine, huh? Oh well, at least it's not a cluster headache - else I'd probably be in the corner in a ball with the lights off, wishing for unconsciousness.

I know that feeling all too often.

 

[TorturedSoul]

Me, too. Had a little TBI back in 1989 (got hit head-on in a 50-MPH zone - my skid marks were something like 13' long, so the combined speed was probably still somewhere around 90 miles per hour) and have had headaches of varying severity almost every day since. But sometimes I get an extra special one. Not even in the same universe as a real good(?) toothache, of course, but they can be... trying at times.

Have fun, I'm off. Wish I'd thought to do this before the temperature dropped 40 degrees in the past 24 hours.

 

[Virgin Ground]

Dramamonkey, you mentioned that you thought tap water was bad and you were going to buy distilled?
Have you tested your water or looked at your municipal water report? Perhaps you are on a well.
You may have great water for growing. I would try to find out before using distilled, which is devoid of everything.

 

[DramaMonkey1]

Honestly there's quite a few mistakes and I don't say that to try to down you in anyway because I realize that you are new to this so let me break them down.
First, I just looked up your light and if you look at the actual power draw it is only a 130 watt LED. That is only enough light for about three square feet. I'm not sure what size room or tent your growing in but I know without a doubt that is not enough light to even bring one plant to bloom a very decent Harvest. Here is how you figure out how much light you need. With the purple LEDs like you have you want to have a minimum of 35 actual watts per square foot of grow space and up to 50 watts per square foot is optimal. If you can get your actual wattage not advertised but actual wattage per square foot up to about 40 to 45 Watts your plants will certainly grow more vigorously. Second issue is not adjusting pH of your food. Since you are growing in real soil your PH range should be from 6.2 to 6.8. I have no doubt that when you mix your food as directed it is probably in the mid fives which would actually be about 10 times more acidic than a mid 6. You need to get what you need to test the pH and a bottle of pH Up and a bottle of pH Down so the plant can actually eat the food that you are trying to give it. By adding acidic nutrients to the soil you actually lockout nutrients that came in the soil so the plant won't be able to eat not only the food you're giving it but the nutrition that is in the soil. You can find cheap digital PH meters online everywhere and at any Hydro Store. The third biggest thing is you shouldn't be feeding it any food at all yet. Being in a 5-gallon container with Fox Farm ocean forest soil being known as one of the richest soils that there is that soil has so much nutrition in it that in your size container you shouldn't even need to feed the plant probably until you get close to kicking it into flower. Your plant is still very small and there's no way it's even used a quarter of the nutrition that is built into that organic soil. The reason why it hasn't grown a whole lot in five weeks is simply lack of light and good watering habit. What I would do for now is get the required items that you will need down the road on the way such as the pH tester and a bottle of pH Up and a bottle of pH Down that way you have it when you actually need to start feeding your plant. I have to repeat one more time please don't feed it any more food right now! There is already a ton of food in the soil. For now just start watering it correctly as mentioned in that article you read and get some more light on that plant so it can grow. We can go from there and I am more than willing to help you further down the road as soon as needed.

I totally understand that there are quite a few mistakes, as this is my first Grow. I started out doing this for fun and I didn’t want to worry too much, but then I started caring for the plants so much I wanted to do it just right. So I’ve been adding and getting more and more materials as they are growing. A few weeks ago, I put Mylar in the closet to help distribute light. The closet is 2ft x 4ft. It has good airflow and a vent. I am excited to take your information and apply it. Although the one question I have is:
Emilya mentioned the Fox Farm fertilizer feeding schedule, which says to start adding fertilizer on week 1. So in week 5, should I not be feeding? Thank you for all of your knowledge.

 

[DramaMonkey1]

Honestly there's quite a few mistakes and I don't say that to try to down you in anyway because I realize that you are new to this so let me break them down.
First, I just looked up your light and if you look at the actual power draw it is only a 130 watt LED. That is only enough light for about three square feet. I'm not sure what size room or tent your growing in but I know without a doubt that is not enough light to even bring one plant to bloom a very decent Harvest. Here is how you figure out how much light you need. With the purple LEDs like you have you want to have a minimum of 35 actual watts per square foot of grow space and up to 50 watts per square foot is optimal. If you can get your actual wattage not advertised but actual wattage per square foot up to about 40 to 45 Watts your plants will certainly grow more vigorously. Second issue is not adjusting pH of your food. Since you are growing in real soil your PH range should be from 6.2 to 6.8. I have no doubt that when you mix your food as directed it is probably in the mid fives which would actually be about 10 times more acidic than a mid 6. You need to get what you need to test the pH and a bottle of pH Up and a bottle of pH Down so the plant can actually eat the food that you are trying to give it. By adding acidic nutrients to the soil you actually lockout nutrients that came in the soil so the plant won't be able to eat not only the food you're giving it but the nutrition that is in the soil. You can find cheap digital PH meters online everywhere and at any Hydro Store. The third biggest thing is you shouldn't be feeding it any food at all yet. Being in a 5-gallon container with Fox Farm ocean forest soil being known as one of the richest soils that there is that soil has so much nutrition in it that in your size container you shouldn't even need to feed the plant probably until you get close to kicking it into flower. Your plant is still very small and there's no way it's even used a quarter of the nutrition that is built into that organic soil. The reason why it hasn't grown a whole lot in five weeks is simply lack of light and good watering habit. What I would do for now is get the required items that you will need down the road on the way such as the pH tester and a bottle of pH Up and a bottle of pH Down that way you have it when you actually need to start feeding your plant. I have to repeat one more time please don't feed it any more food right now! There is already a ton of food in the soil. For now just start watering it correctly as mentioned in that article you read and get some more light on that plant so it can grow. We can go from there and I am more than willing to help you further down the road as soon as needed.

Also, here are better lighted pictures

 

[Emilya Green]

A lot of people are under the belief that our plants absolutely have to have added nutrients all of the time even when in a rich soil like FFOF. The truth is that until late veg or even all the way to flower, they probably don't "need" anything extra, but if you have a very healthy and robust plant, you can supercharge that growth by adding nutrients. This is what the FoxFarm schedule addresses. Also, if you are in a soilless medium or hydro situation, this recommended amount is all that the plant can handle at that stage, but over and over again you will hear people advise that in a strong rich soil like FFOF, there is no "need" to add additional nutes at first. Read the last lines of my signature for a summary of this thought.

 

[fanleaf]

I totally understand that there are quite a few mistakes, as this is my first Grow. I started out doing this for fun and I didn’t want to worry too much, but then I started caring for the plants so much I wanted to do it just right. So I’ve been adding and getting more and more materials as they are growing. A few weeks ago, I put Mylar in the closet to help distribute light. The closet is 2ft x 4ft. It has good airflow and a vent. I am excited to take your information and apply it. Although the one question I have is:
Emilya mentioned the Fox Farm fertilizer feeding schedule, which says to start adding fertilizer on week 1. So in week 5, should I not be feeding? Thank you for all of your knowledge.

I don't believe there nutrients schedule is set up assuming you are using their ocean forest soil. And I know @Emilya would agree with me that in a 5 gallon pail of soil your plant is still too small to need any additional food yet. Ocean Forrest soil is very high in plant nutrition. Many growers go all the way until flower without adding anything and without seeing deficiencies. The best way to know when your plant needs additional food is when it tells you it needs it. Once you start seeing it lacking for something then you know. If you add food when there's plenty there that's when problems start. Overall your plant pictures look pretty darn healthy besides the clawing. That will straighten itself out with proper watering technique and stopping the nutrients for now. I think Emilya will weigh in here too.

 

[fanleaf]

A lot of people are under the belief that our plants absolutely have to have added nutrients all of the time even when in a rich soil like FFOF. The truth is that until late veg or even all the way to flower, they probably don't "need" anything extra, but if you have a very healthy and robust plant, you can supercharge that growth by adding nutrients. This is what the FoxFarm schedule addresses. Also, if you are in a soilless medium or hydro situation, this recommended amount is all that the plant can handle at that stage, but over and over again you will hear people advise that in a strong rich soil like FFOF, there is no "need" to add additional nutes at first. Read the last lines of my signature for a summary of this thought.

You click enter on your reply while I was typing mine out lol.