Drooping leaves and yellowing, Help!

benf2014 · May 11, 2024

Hey everyone, I'm pretty new to this and this grow is shaping up to be my most successful so far but one of my plants isnt happy! I'm using FFOF soil, I follow the FF soil feeding schedule using FF nutrients. Growing indoors in a 3x3 tent in 5 gal fabric pots. All my plants (all different auto strains) are a litte over 4 weeks old at this point. I have 3 other plants that are doing great with no visible problems. I noticed this plant (Northern Lights Auto) getting droopy leaves all over and some yellow splotches on the lowest leaves 2 days ago. I figured it needed water as the pot was light and I hadn't watered in a few days. I also removed the yellowing leaves that were obviously about to die while watering. Now 2 days after a good watering the plant hasn't perked up, I think the leaves are drooping even more now and growth has slowed compared to the others. I'm thinking it may need to be flushed which I was planning to do to all of them later this week by following the feeding schedule. Does anyone know if this is the problem or what it might be?

Oldchucky · May 11, 2024

Maybe you need to lay off the water for about a week and see if it starts coming back! Just two. Cents. Looks like you have room to dig your hand down in about 10 inches and see how wet the soil is.

Imzzaudae · May 11, 2024

Hi.
Wish you had left the yellow leaves in place bud. Would have been nice to see them.

Your plant looks to be 3 weeks into flower. She is very dark green, almost nitrogen toxic green on my computer.
Tips are rolling down. Not hooking just a bit. This could also point towards a Nitrogen high state.
Do you PH your water and your fertilizer solutions? If so what are you running?
I'm really wondering if she is locked out on you due to over abundance of Nitrogen.

Stick your index finger deep into the medium mid way between the plant and the bag. Way down deep and see if it feels dry down deep inside.
Sometimes medium develop water channels that run water of rather than letting the medium soak the water up. The stems I can see are bent not standing straight up like a plants leaves and stems that is plump in an over watered state. This plant does not look over watered to me. I think your watering a little fast and your water is running down the inside of the bag and away. The plant could actually be dry.
I could be wrong but it won't hurt to check.

Give lock out a little thought and let me know what your thinking.
Anyone else think she may be locked out?

GNick55 · May 11, 2024

Doonettes!!!
chucky send me a box, can’t buy them here, hahaha

GNick55 · May 11, 2024

let it dry out!!

LoveGrowingIt · May 11, 2024

Putting the pot on a plant pot elevator or something similar that allows air flow underneath will help it dry better.

Grower1974 · May 11, 2024

I’m thinking you have dry pockets and roots. When is the last time you watered slowly to saturation with 1-1.25 gallons of water?

benf2014 · May 11, 2024

Imzzaudae said:
Hi.
Wish you had left the yellow leaves in place bud. Would have been nice to see them.

Your plant looks to be 3 weeks into flower. She is very dark green, almost nitrogen toxic green on my computer.
Tips are rolling down. Not hooking just a bit. This could also point towards a Nitrogen high state.
Do you PH your water and your fertilizer solutions? If so what are you running?
I'm really wondering if she is locked out on you due to over abundance of Nitrogen.

Stick your index finger deep into the medium mid way between the plant and the bag. Way down deep and see if it feels dry down deep inside.
Sometimes medium develop water channels that run water of rather than letting the medium soak the water up. The stems I can see are bent not standing straight up like a plants leaves and stems that is plump in an over watered state. This plant does not look over watered to me. I think your watering a little fast and your water is running down the inside of the bag and away. The plant could actually be dry.
I could be wrong but it won't hurt to check.

Give lock out a little thought and let me know what your thinking.
Anyone else think she may be locked out?

So for the water I just use tap water that I just tested to be between 6-7ph and I had the recommended Fox Farm nutrients to the water. So this last watering was 3tsp of Big Bloom + 2tsp of Grow Big per gallon. I tried to give each plant about a gallon and a half, but I'm starting to think I have an underwater underwatering issue so a lot likely ran out of the medium.

A second plant started exhibiting symptoms with the yellowing leaves and drooping leaves. I've attached pictures of the plant and the leaves. I have not removed the leaves. At what point would you recommend removing leaves like this?

I felt deep into the medium of both plants that have symptoms. It feels very dry closer to the edges and a just a little moist closer to the middle. Too dry in my opinion. I think you're right and I have water channels. And as @Grower1974 mentioned, I have not slowly watered them to saturation since placing them in these pots. Would doing so be the likely remedy?

Stokes · May 12, 2024

That posture tells me they are thirsty. Ive seen plants do that when theyre hungry, even if they dont show deficiencies in the leaves. I dont think thats the case here, i think shes just powering through more water than usual because they really go through it at this point in flower.

I would also stop with the grow big if shes done stretching. Her leaves are very dark and clawing.

How often are you watering? I would imagine the top is crusty, the edges of the pot are too defined, there shouldnt be a gap between soil and fabric. Does the water bead up immediately and run towards the sides? Slow down when watering, especially at first. Slowly wet the surface and then water when you see it absorbing

Stokes · May 12, 2024

Damn that ocean forest keeps getting chunkier and chunkier.

Unrelated but if youre looking at a preamended soil next grow i would look at coast of maine stonington, i ran FFOF for a few years but i just can’t recommend it anymore. Its miracle grow 2.0 lately

Imzzaudae · May 12, 2024

benf2014 said:
So for the water I just use tap water that I just tested to be between 6-7ph and I had the recommended Fox Farm nutrients to the water. So this last watering was 3tsp of Big Bloom + 2tsp of Grow Big per gallon. I tried to give each plant about a gallon and a half, but I'm starting to think I have an underwater underwatering issue so a lot likely ran out of the medium.

A second plant started exhibiting symptoms with the yellowing leaves and drooping leaves. I've attached pictures of the plant and the leaves. I have not removed the leaves. At what point would you recommend removing leaves like this?

I felt deep into the medium of both plants that have symptoms. It feels very dry closer to the edges and a just a little moist closer to the middle. Too dry in my opinion. I think you're right and I have water channels. And as @Grower1974 mentioned, I have not slowly watered them to saturation since placing them in these pots. Would doing so be the likely remedy?

I would mix up a batch of fertilizer. As per Fox Farm instructions. Make sure to P.H as normal.
Give each plant 1 cup. slowly. Let it sit 5 min then give each plant 1 cup slowly until each has at least a litre of fresh nutrient solution. 4 or 5 cups should sort her out. Give it over night to find it's way through out the bag. Check it in 12 hours and decide what you think then.

Or you could mix up a 1/2 bucket of solution. P.H as normal and simply dunk the bag for 30 seconds. Pick it out and lean it in a sink at a 45 deg angle so it drains well. Give it 10 min to stop dripping. The left over solution makes great house plant fertilizer.

Ether way she should perk right up over night or in a few hours. Then it's just keep an eye on her as normal.
As she is in flower do you have a Cal-mag supplement of any kind?

m8ty · May 12, 2024

Can't you just lift the pot and feel how heavy it is? If it's underwater it will feel light and if it's not underwater it will feel very heavy when you lift?

benf2014 · May 12, 2024

Stokes said:
That posture tells me they are thirsty. Ive seen plants do that when theyre hungry, even if they dont show deficiencies in the leaves. I dont think thats the case here, i think shes just powering through more water than usual because they really go through it at this point in flower.

I would also stop with the grow big if shes done stretching. Her leaves are very dark and clawing.

How often are you watering? I would imagine the top is crusty, the edges of the pot are too defined, there shouldnt be a gap between soil and fabric. Does the water bead up immediately and run towards the sides? Slow down when watering, especially at first. Slowly wet the surface and then water when you see it absorbing

Thanks for your reply! I try to water at least twice a week but I've been trying to feel the pots to see if they feel light. The water does bead up quickly and run toward the sides. And since it's a fabric pot some of it actually drips out the sides about 3/4 of the way down the pot. I'm pretty confident it's a water issue at this point. I'm definitely going to slow down when watering.

Asmodeus · May 12, 2024

If your soil has become hydrophobic you can try taking a wooden skewer or something similar and poke some holes deep into the soil, essentially aerating the medium

Stokes · May 12, 2024

benf2014 said:
Thanks for your reply! I try to water at least twice a week but I've been trying to feel the pots to see if they feel light. The water does bead up quickly and run toward the sides. And since it's a fabric pot some of it actually drips out the sides about 3/4 of the way down the pot. I'm pretty confident it's a water issue at this point. I'm definitely going to slow down when watering.

Ive never used one in soil, but you may want to look into a wetting agent. They make a world of difference in coco.

You also may want to consider a soil mix with significant coir included, when i mix my soils now i use promix hpcc, made a world of difference. Watering is much more predictable and consistent. I will never do a mix again without 40-50% coir.

LoveGrowingIt · May 12, 2024

benf2014 said:
I try to water at least twice a week but I've been trying to feel the pots to see if they feel light.

Lifting the pots is the best method. I like to use a soil moisture meter, as well, but they require more skill to use. The important thing is to let the soil dry. Cannabis plants like water but they don't like wet roots. The roots need to be able to breathe.

benf2014 said:
The water does bead up quickly and run toward the sides.

Wetting the surface using a spray bottle and waiting till it soaks in helps.

benf2014 said:
And since it's a fabric pot some of it actually drips out the sides about 3/4 of the way down the pot.

If water runs out the sides, you're watering too fast.

benf2014 said:
I'm pretty confident it's a water issue at this point. I'm definitely going to slow down when watering.

Watering slowly keeps the plant from drooping. First, add very little water and wait. Then add a little more water and wait. As the soil moistens, it will hold more water, so increasing amounts can be added after the first few waterings. I usually take an entire day to water.

m8ty · May 12, 2024

benf2014 said:
Thanks for your reply! I try to water at least twice a week but I've been trying to feel the pots to see if they feel light. The water does bead up quickly and run toward the sides. And since it's a fabric pot some of it actually drips out the sides about 3/4 of the way down the pot. I'm pretty confident it's a water issue at this point. I'm definitely going to slow down when watering.

Saw a photo of someone who solved the water pouring out the fabric problem.

benf2014 · May 12, 2024

Imzzaudae said:
I would mix up a batch of fertilizer. As per Fox Farm instructions. Make sure to P.H as normal.
Give each plant 1 cup. slowly. Let it sit 5 min then give each plant 1 cup slowly until each has at least a litre of fresh nutrient solution. 4 or 5 cups should sort her out. Give it over night to find it's way through out the bag. Check it in 12 hours and decide what you think then.

This morning I ended up slowly giving each plant 2 cups of water to hold them over until I get home from work. I like the idea of slowly giving them water a few cups at a time which I'll do this evening. Hopefully later this week I'll have some pics of some healthy looking plants!

LoveGrowingIt · May 12, 2024

benf2014 said:
This morning I ended up slowly giving each plant 2 cups of water to hold them over until I get home from work. I like the idea of slowly giving them water a few cups at a time which I'll do this evening. Hopefully later this week I'll have some pics of some healthy looking plants!

I don't like the idea. The goal is for the roots to go deep for water and nutrients. Top watering can prevent that from happening. It's best to use the drench-and-dry method. That is, slowly water to capacity and then let the plant drink it down, while growing roots in the process.

benf2014 · May 12, 2024

LoveGrowingIt said:
I don't like the idea. The goal is for the roots to go deep for water and nutrients. Top watering can prevent that from happening. It's best to use the drench-and-dry method. That is, slowly water to capacity and then let the plant drink it down, while growing roots in the process.

Honestly I don't have anything against the drench and dry. I just don't have an available bucket to use haha. What you're saying makes sense though. I'll look around this evening for some sort of storage container I could do that with.

Drooping leaves and yellowing, Help!

Drooping leaves and yellowing, Help!

benf2014

Attachments

Oldchucky

Imzzaudae

GNick55

GNick55

LoveGrowingIt

Grower1974

benf2014

Attachments

Stokes

Stokes

Imzzaudae

m8ty

benf2014

Asmodeus

Stokes

LoveGrowingIt

m8ty

Attachments

benf2014

LoveGrowingIt

benf2014

Drooping leaves and yellowing, Help!

Drooping leaves and yellowing, Help!

benf2014

Attachments

Oldchucky

Imzzaudae

GNick55

GNick55

LoveGrowingIt

Grower1974

benf2014

Attachments

Stokes

Stokes

Imzzaudae

m8ty

benf2014

Asmodeus

Stokes

LoveGrowingIt

m8ty

Attachments

benf2014

LoveGrowingIt

benf2014

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency