1st time grower- please help

JB1672 · Oct 8, 2020

Hi all,

First time grower and new to the forum!

I’m having some issues with my plants... I believe I have spider mites but I also must have some nutrient deficiency. I’ve tried googling but I just keep finding the same things and they don’t seem like what I have.

My biggest plant is what has the most issues. It is about 3 months older than the other plant but was grown with minimal light so didn’t grow very fast. I was about to put them into flower when I noticed all these issues...

can someone please provide some guidance?
Is my big plant salvageable, or should I just toss it since it is so infested with spider mites + a majority of the leaves are yellow/purple?
I have a friend with neem oil that I was going to borrow, but if it’s gonna die anyway then it’s not worth the hassle. But I’vebeengrowing it for 5 months now so I’m hoping I can save it.

Thank you!!!!

Also, as this is just a side hobby for me right now, I am trying to spend minimal money. Consequently, my grow tent and methods are not the best. I grow in a DIY tent in my garage but was bringing them outside for sunlight, and I believe that’s how the spider mites began.
I tested pH, but I only have pH strips which are hard to read. However, I’m fairly sure the pH is around 6.5.
I feed them fox farms nutes according the schedule, but only started that 3 weeks ago. They did great for last two weeks until now.

TripsRabbit · Oct 8, 2020

You need a ph pen, amazon ten bucks. Adjust the ph of your water before you water them.

JB1672 · Oct 8, 2020

TripsRabbit said:
You need a ph pen, amazon ten bucks. Adjust the ph of your water before you water them.

Ok, Ill buy one. Does that mean you think this is related to a pH problem then? I know pH issues can lead to nutrient issues. But, like I mentioned before, I'm pretty confident the pH is between 6-7, which i think ive read is usually good enough.

Holycanoli420 · Oct 8, 2020

They look savable man, but I dont want to talk out my ass too much because I'm as new as you and did absolutely horrible my first grow (check it out for laughs and to feel a lil better haha) but the one thing I'll share is I've learned the light source is probably the most important thing in case you end up inside.

I spent so much money on nutes/additives/ and went cheap with a $60 ebay led...and you can see the results haha. It did great for vegging but absolutely could not provide nearly enough energy to bud them out.

Habosabin · Oct 8, 2020

Your leaves look like thrip damage.

JB1672 · Oct 8, 2020

Habosabin said:
Your leaves look like thrip damage.

I just looked that up, I have to agree. Definitely gonna use the neem oil. But, what about the purple leaves, and unhealthy look in general?

Habosabin · Oct 8, 2020

JB1672 said:
I just looked that up, I have to agree. Definitely gonna use the neem oil. But, what about the purple leaves, and unhealthy look in general?

I am new to this myself. How often do you water? What's your feed schedule? What is minimal light? I'd say 5 hours direct sunlight is on minimum acceptable.

Make sure you aren't overwatering. You plants have a droopy look. Mine did that when they were hungry. But I know overwatering can do that too. The roots need a dry cycle for best results.

Your big one looks like it's fading from being underfed. Just a guess from the limited info.

What strain is that? Maybe the purple hue is genetic. It looks like part of the fade.

Chad.Westport · Oct 8, 2020

It does look like a few things.

Ph issues might be causing nutrient deficiency, but it looks like it has that based off of the lower leaves turning yellow by sending needed nutrients to the upper new growth.

Bugs too, spider mites or thrips. The little white dots on the leaves are an indicator of that.

I'm curious too if the plants sit poolside all day like they are in the pic (lucky bastards) I ask because the light reflection from the pool can cause increased intensity on the plant that might effect it in a bad way, burned leaves, excessive leaf temp etc.

JB1672 · Oct 8, 2020

Habosabin said:
I am new to this myself. How often do you water? What's your feed schedule? What is minimal light? I'd say 5 hours direct sunlight is on minimum acceptable.

Make sure you aren't overwatering. You plants have a droopy look. Mine did that when they were hungry. But I know overwatering can do that too. The roots need a dry cycle for best results.

Your big one looks like it's fading from being underfed. Just a guess from the limited info.

What strain is that? Maybe the purple hue is genetic. It looks like part of the fade.

Well, the strain for my big one with the issues is unknown. I planted some bag seeds to see what would happen, and got one female. I doubt the strain is causing to it be purple as it is now 5 months into veg and has been normal the whole time.

Watering- i dont think i overwater. I water every 4-5 days, sometimes less or sometimes not for a week. In my garage it runs between 75-90 degrees F with humidity 65-80%.

Light: they always get around 18 hours light, but I used to just have 4 23w cfls and they werent cutting it. so when I can I put them out in the sun. However I have a much better light now.

JB1672 · Oct 8, 2020

Chad.Westport said:
It does look like a few things.

Ph issues might be causing nutrient deficiency, but it looks like it has that based off of the lower leaves turning yellow by sending needed nutrients to the upper new growth.

Bugs too, spider mites or thrips. The little white dots on the leaves are an indicator of that.

I'm curious too if the plants sit poolside all day like they are in the pic (lucky bastards) I ask because the light reflection from the pool can cause increased intensity on the plant that might effect it in a bad way, burned leaves, excessive leaf temp etc.

Yes, lower leaves have been going yellow and falling off starting about 1 week ago. Ive read this is due to a mobile nutrient deficiency. But, they would go completely yellow with no spots or any withering and then just fall off. They looked completely healthy except being yellow. Everything I see online for nute deficiencies describes like blotches of yellow or brown with a withering leaf or something like that, or some sort of pattern to the colors. Mine just go straight yellow. And now purple too but no purple leaves have fallen off.

Im working on the mites/thrips.

And no only about maybe 2 days per week do i put them out by the pool in the sun. Mostly just when I water them so i can let the water flow out the bottom. I have yet to see any signs of damage from any kind of reflection/magnification by the pool, they have been thriving out there in my opinion.

Chad.Westport · Oct 8, 2020

Yes, what you are describing with the leaves is technically called senescence. You already understand about mobile and immobile nutrients, which is great, but it definitely could use some food in the soil so that it isn't taking it from the lower plant.

Habosabin · Oct 8, 2020

JB1672 said:
Yes, lower leaves have been going yellow and falling off starting about 1 week ago. Ive read this is due to a mobile nutrient deficiency. But, they would go completely yellow with no spots or any withering and then just fall off. They looked completely healthy except being yellow. Everything I see online for nute deficiencies describes like blotches of yellow or brown with a withering leaf or something like that, or some sort of pattern to the colors. Mine just go straight yellow. And now purple too but no purple leaves have fallen off.

Im working on the mites/thrips.

And no only about maybe 2 days per week do i put them out by the pool in the sun. Mostly just when I water them so i can let the water flow out the bottom. I have yet to see any signs of damage from any kind of reflection/magnification by the pool, they have been thriving out there in my opinion.

What are you feeding it? My first grow started yellowing bad like yours about two weeks into flowering because I didn't feed it. My second grow I'm using nutes and the plant is only starting to fade 7 weeks into flower. I've only lost 3 leaves and they were damaged from the heat wave initially.

Use a moisture meter if you have any concerns until you get the hang of it. As long as the pot feels light then it's OK to water. water until you get run off as well and wait until it's light again.

Kampbe1l · Oct 9, 2020

quarantine the badly infected (sick) plant away from the healthier others. deal with the bug issue, and pH of watering/feeding.

BudBogart · Oct 9, 2020

Are you watering with tap water? If so, are you letting the tap water sit for 24 hours to let any chlorine dissipate before using?

Goodthingsgrow · Oct 9, 2020

Looks like multiple issues.
ph levels in any water source is very important. Get yourself a good pen and some Ph adjusters. Water as they need them. By weight of pot.
it looks like Nitrogen, Magnesium, Potassium deficiencies. Possibly because of Ph caused lockout?
The white spots on top suggest thrips on bottoms.
The visible spider mites will ruin everything if not taken care of soon.
Be wary of Neem oil for health reasons from what I’ve read.

Goodthingsgrow · Oct 9, 2020

Oh, and don’t flower anytime soon. Too many stresses.

JB1672 · Oct 9, 2020

Habosabin said:
What are you feeding it? My first grow started yellowing bad like yours about two weeks into flowering because I didn't feed it. My second grow I'm using nutes and the plant is only starting to fade 7 weeks into flower. I've only lost 3 leaves and they were damaged from the heat wave initially.

Use a moisture meter if you have any concerns until you get the hang of it. As long as the pot feels light then it's OK to water. water until you get run off as well and wait until it's light again.

Im using fox farms but Ive been reducing the amoutns because IM running out. I guess I will have to buy more asap.

I have a moisture meter but it seems pretty bad. I think Ive done pretty good with the watering schedule though.

JB1672 · Oct 9, 2020

Goodthingsgrow said:
Looks like multiple issues.
ph levels in any water source is very important. Get yourself a good pen and some Ph adjusters. Water as they need them. By weight of pot.
it looks like Nitrogen, Magnesium, Potassium deficiencies. Possibly because of Ph caused lockout?
The white spots on top suggest thrips on bottoms.
The visible spider mites will ruin everything if not taken care of soon.
Be wary of Neem oil for health reasons from what I’ve read.

Damn ok that is a lot of issues, but I really appreciate the response.

Do you have any suggestions on alternatives to neem oil? Im already going to purchase more nutes, a pH meter, and likely some pH up and down, so I don't know if I can get myself to spend any more money on pest control unless its absolutely necessary. So i was leaning towards the neem oil.

I've read a spray of 9:1 water: alcohol can work. Anyone have experience with that?

JB1672 · Oct 9, 2020

BudBogart said:
Are you watering with tap water? If so, are you letting the tap water sit for 24 hours to let any chlorine dissipate before using?

Yes I use tap. I used to be very good about leaving it out for 24 hours but as they started to require more water I havent been so consistent. Ill make sure I do that from now on.

Goodthingsgrow · Oct 9, 2020

I think the chlorine is the least of the issues. The chlorine is minimal.
try sticky traps for both bugs.
nute some Ph’d water.
early evening when sun down, foliar spray with cal mag mixed with Ph’d water.

1st time grower- please help

1st time grower- please help

JB1672

Attachments

TripsRabbit

JB1672

Holycanoli420

Habosabin

JB1672

Habosabin

Chad.Westport

JB1672

JB1672

Chad.Westport

Habosabin

Kampbe1l

BudBogart

Goodthingsgrow

Goodthingsgrow

JB1672

JB1672

JB1672

Goodthingsgrow

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency