Causes of Failure to Thrive?

[Misanthrope]

70/30 coco/perlite
Megacrop 9-17-14 4g/gallon
Jungle Juice Micro 5-0-1 4mL/gallon
pH 5.8-6.0 ec 1.8 (tap water EC 0.15)
Approx 500-600W in 3'x4' tent space, 24-36" above plants
21-27°C RH 50-65%
Clones and from seed, 10+ different strains.

on occasion, I have a plant that goes thru a period in early veg where its growth seems to slow, the leaves droop and sometimes even show signs of nutrient problems (leaf discolouration). It always passes in a few weeks at most but once I'm sure pH and ec are good, I'm at a loss to understand what the issue is. The plants are kept at the edges of the grow area while young and moved into more direct light as they grow.

My only guess is too much love. I learned a little while back that new roots can easily be over watered which I thought couldn't happen in coco/perlite. Since then I've been careful to make sure the roots are established before watering them twice a day like the big girls. How far into the growth cycle are the roots still susceptible to being over watered? Any other ideas? I'll add a pic or two when I get a chance tonight.

 

[MEGA956]

Have you tried growing in soil instead?

 

[Misanthrope]

Have you tried growing in soil instead?

I have, I find it's noticeably slower than with coco and I love that I can check the pH and ec of the runoff anytime I'm unsure they're in range. I'm not scared off by chemicals so organic holds no interest to me, no offense intended to those who do.

 

[BigBlonde]

on occasion, I have a plant that goes thru a period in early veg where its growth seems to slow

I've been working on that problem, too. I've wondered if it may be due to the plant emphasizing root development or possibly adapting to its environment. So far, they've always resumed growing normally. (I grow in soil, by the way.)

 

[MEGA956]

I have, I find it's noticeably slower than with coco and I love that I can check the pH and ec of the runoff anytime I'm unsure they're in range. I'm not scared off by chemicals so organic holds no interest to me, no offense intended to those who do.

For sure.

 

[N1ghtL1ght]

70/30 coco/perlite
Megacrop 9-17-14 4g/gallon
Jungle Juice Micro 5-0-1 4mL/gallon
pH 5.8-6.0 ec 1.8 (tap water EC 0.15)
Approx 500-600W in 3'x4' tent space, 24-36" above plants
21-27°C RH 50-65%
Clones and from seed, 10+ different strains.

on occasion, I have a plant that goes thru a period in early veg where its growth seems to slow, the leaves droop and sometimes even show signs of nutrient problems (leaf discolouration). It always passes in a few weeks at most but once I'm sure pH and ec are good, I'm at a loss to understand what the issue is. The plants are kept at the edges of the grow area while young and moved into more direct light as they grow.

My only guess is too much love. I learned a little while back that new roots can easily be over watered which I thought couldn't happen in coco/perlite. Since then I've been careful to make sure the roots are established before watering them twice a day like the big girls. How far into the growth cycle are the roots still susceptible to being over watered? Any other ideas? I'll add a pic or two when I get a chance tonight.

Are you feeding the same EC to all your plants at the same stages, even when you keep the clones or seedlings at a much lower light levels?

 

[Misanthrope]

My current problem child, Cement Shoes clone in 1 gallon fabric pot. She had been doing well enough that I topped her, in hindsight it may have been too early.
pH 5.85 EC 1.5

 

[Misanthrope]

Are you feeding the same EC to all your plants at the same stages, even when you keep the clones or seedlings at a much lower light levels?

I am. I know it's not ideal (and use a half strength solution until clones are established in a solo cup) but it doesnt seem to adversely affect the majority of the plants, just the occasional straggler.

 

[N1ghtL1ght]

what kind of cocos are you using?

 

[Trae1170]

Flush your plant with Ph'ed water, no nutes. Then feed your plants once every other day and see if that helps. To me it looks over watered and maybe nute burn.

 

[Misanthrope]

what kind of cocos are you using?

Viagrow coco and perlite, sold by home depot. This is from the brick and needed a fair amount of washing, I now buy the loose stuff in a bag and it's much better.