Brother_Antioch
- Posts
- 308
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- 599
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2025
- Points
- 93
Hi, folks. Have a question for you hydro growers out there.
So, I've noticed over the last several days that my pH is dropping at a much higher rate than previously. Since this is my first try at growing in a hydroponic environment, I'm not sure if it's normal at this stage or not. I've looked on several sites on the web and get conflicting answers. Currently, my pH is dropping roughly 0.25 every 8 hours or so on average. I'm in the late veg stage of the grow, most likely flipping her to 12/12 within the next 5 days. Prior to a week or so ago, my pH would start off at 5.8 and slowly drift up to 6.2 over a period of 5 days or so, when I'd adjust it back down to 5.8 From what I read, that's normal behavior. EC is staying stable, with a very slight decline in EC/PPM (started at 1.295 and it would be down to 1.1 in about a week) which from what I understand is normal healthy behaviour meaning she's eating at a healthy rate and the solution is in the sweet spot.
Roots are growing rapidly, and are still very healthy. Other than a slight tan colour to them from the Flora Micro and CaliMagic, they are fine. Zero slime at all, no off smell to them, all the signs of a very healthy root ball. The plant herself is looking very healthy. Nice emerald green colour, great positioning, no signs of nutrient deficiencies, no clawing, nice sharp serrations on the new growth, all the signs of a healthy grow (from my limited knowledge).
Here's the readings for the last 5 days. Readings were taken in the morning, mid afternoon, and evening. The ones that have two readings are "initial" then "adjusted up to" numbers. I've been keeping up on it to make sure they don't drop to really bad numbers, and I'm going to do a res change this weekend when I flip to 12/12. These numbers are from the morning after my last res change until this afternoon about an hour ago. I'm trying to keep it so that there's a low of 5.8 and a high of 6.2.
5.89
5.68
5.57 up to 5.89
5.69 up to 5.87
5.71
5.61
5.63
5.44 up to 6.26
6.14
6.2
5.85
5.72
5.53 up to 5.98
5.66 up to 6.23
I'm using distilled water only, and using Botanicare Silica Blast, CaliMagic, Flora Trio nutrients and H2O2 to maintain a sterile environment (adding 16.9 ml with res change and 12.5 ml every 3 days after that). I'm making sure to mix them in the right order, and to leave some time after Silica Blast (about 30-45 minutes) with an air stone in the change bucket before adding the CaliMagic, then waiting another 15 minutes before adding the Micro, Grow and Flora (in that order) and stirring well between ingredients. Res temps are now holding at a steady 66.2F all day and night. Air temperatures are 72-72F at night and 80-82F during the day, VPD is right on 0.9 kPa during the night and 1.2-1.25 during the day.
Bottom line, is this somewhat normal behaviour or is there something more sinister that I should be looking for? I've posted a few pics here of her so you can see how she looks for visual clues on the canopy. On a secondary note, does she look ready to flip to flower within the next 5 days? I am aiming for 65-70% canopy filled but don't want to over do it and have a jungle when the stretch happens.
Appreciate any and all help, advice and information on this, so please, feel free to chime in, ask any questions you have, or thoughts from your own experiences.
Overhead:
Straight on at canopy height:
General overall shot:
Again, thanks to all who chime in and know that it's immensely appreciated.
Cheers,
BA.
So, I've noticed over the last several days that my pH is dropping at a much higher rate than previously. Since this is my first try at growing in a hydroponic environment, I'm not sure if it's normal at this stage or not. I've looked on several sites on the web and get conflicting answers. Currently, my pH is dropping roughly 0.25 every 8 hours or so on average. I'm in the late veg stage of the grow, most likely flipping her to 12/12 within the next 5 days. Prior to a week or so ago, my pH would start off at 5.8 and slowly drift up to 6.2 over a period of 5 days or so, when I'd adjust it back down to 5.8 From what I read, that's normal behavior. EC is staying stable, with a very slight decline in EC/PPM (started at 1.295 and it would be down to 1.1 in about a week) which from what I understand is normal healthy behaviour meaning she's eating at a healthy rate and the solution is in the sweet spot.
Roots are growing rapidly, and are still very healthy. Other than a slight tan colour to them from the Flora Micro and CaliMagic, they are fine. Zero slime at all, no off smell to them, all the signs of a very healthy root ball. The plant herself is looking very healthy. Nice emerald green colour, great positioning, no signs of nutrient deficiencies, no clawing, nice sharp serrations on the new growth, all the signs of a healthy grow (from my limited knowledge).
Here's the readings for the last 5 days. Readings were taken in the morning, mid afternoon, and evening. The ones that have two readings are "initial" then "adjusted up to" numbers. I've been keeping up on it to make sure they don't drop to really bad numbers, and I'm going to do a res change this weekend when I flip to 12/12. These numbers are from the morning after my last res change until this afternoon about an hour ago. I'm trying to keep it so that there's a low of 5.8 and a high of 6.2.
5.89
5.68
5.57 up to 5.89
5.69 up to 5.87
5.71
5.61
5.63
5.44 up to 6.26
6.14
6.2
5.85
5.72
5.53 up to 5.98
5.66 up to 6.23
I'm using distilled water only, and using Botanicare Silica Blast, CaliMagic, Flora Trio nutrients and H2O2 to maintain a sterile environment (adding 16.9 ml with res change and 12.5 ml every 3 days after that). I'm making sure to mix them in the right order, and to leave some time after Silica Blast (about 30-45 minutes) with an air stone in the change bucket before adding the CaliMagic, then waiting another 15 minutes before adding the Micro, Grow and Flora (in that order) and stirring well between ingredients. Res temps are now holding at a steady 66.2F all day and night. Air temperatures are 72-72F at night and 80-82F during the day, VPD is right on 0.9 kPa during the night and 1.2-1.25 during the day.
Bottom line, is this somewhat normal behaviour or is there something more sinister that I should be looking for? I've posted a few pics here of her so you can see how she looks for visual clues on the canopy. On a secondary note, does she look ready to flip to flower within the next 5 days? I am aiming for 65-70% canopy filled but don't want to over do it and have a jungle when the stretch happens.
Appreciate any and all help, advice and information on this, so please, feel free to chime in, ask any questions you have, or thoughts from your own experiences.
Overhead:
Straight on at canopy height:
General overall shot:
Again, thanks to all who chime in and know that it's immensely appreciated.
Cheers,
BA.