To Cal Mag or Not to Cal Mag

[DillyTrying2Learn]

After 4 grows now with problems that always looked like they needed Cal Mag, but we're never fixed by adding Cal Mag. I finally asked ChatGPT of all places and it suggested I try removing all the Cal Mag I am adding. Well wouldn't you know my leaves are not starting to get brownish and crunchy. My PH and TDS is also remaining stable. Been going on 4 weeks of this now so I think it is safe to say it was right and I was over Cal Mag'ing them causing them to have the problems. I was told things from it is light stress, genetics or they need more Cal Mag! Just giving them the Athena Pro and that is it, nothing else added at this point. We will see if it holds true through flower too.

 

[amneziaHaze]

Easy to see if it needs calmag.bottom leafs die.if you overdo it top gets fucked.but bottom stays good

 

[Ninjadogma]

Ha! Been there done that
Once you get to know and trust a particular soil medium you figure out where and when the actual gaps are so you can fill them without over-stuffing them. Until then, checking stuff with a reliable EC and pH pen before you dump things in the soil goes a long way.

 

[MileHiGhost]

Usually pH. I am Hydro, when I ventured into soil one season I had no control over the pH. Decided to stay in my own lane. Hope all gets right with yer grow!!

 

[NairnM16]

In coco I use calmag for 4weeks of veg then when the plants are about size to go into flower I cut it so when it comes flower there’s no calmag at all, to much calmag in flower can effect the taste of your terps

If using a pre buffered medium id only ad calmag when showing some deficiencies for about a week then cut it out

 

[imgrowing]

if cal-mag doesn't fix it then it must be VPD.
lol just kidding.
to many people jump to cal-mag 1st thing without thinking it thru
IMO

 

[Ninjadogma]

Cal and mag deficiencies start showing up in soil below 5.8 pH and you lose iron and manganese above around 6.8... easy enough for someone to mistake the 2. Soil buffers are pretty reliable and they always say just trust your buffers. But ya know, sometimes, shit happens.

 

[KG1]

Hard to find a fertilizer that doesn't have enough cal mag in.

Adding extra can cause calcium to exceed nitrogen potassium and phosphorus which isn't a great idea.

I Wouldn't buy soil or fertilizer I had to baby, if soil doesn't hold pH and the ferts complete then I'd buy something that is before messing with ph and cal mag or whatever.

 

[DillyTrying2Learn]

Easy to see if it needs calmag.bottom leafs die.if you overdo it top gets fucked.but bottom stays good

Yeah.... If I followed that, I'd still be adding Cal-Mag. Was always the bottom fan leaves turning brown/yellow.

 

[DillyTrying2Learn]

Ha! Been there done that
Once you get to know and trust a particular soil medium you figure out where and when the actual gaps are so you can fill them without over-stuffing them. Until then, checking stuff with a reliable EC and pH pen before you dump things in the soil goes a long way.

This is Hydro sir!

 

[DillyTrying2Learn]

In coco I use calmag for 4weeks of veg then when the plants are about size to go into flower I cut it so when it comes flower there’s no calmag at all, to much calmag in flower can effect the taste of your terps

If using a pre buffered medium id only ad calmag when showing some deficiencies for about a week then cut it out

I am RDWC and use RO water, it starts out at 4PPM and I add about 10% tap water back to it as my buffer and that seems to be working.

 

[DillyTrying2Learn]

if cal-mag doesn't fix it then it must be VPD.
lol just kidding.
to many people jump to cal-mag 1st thing without thinking it thru
IMO

Hahaha I was like my VPD is steady at 1 which should be great for veg.

 

[DillyTrying2Learn]

Cal and mag deficiencies start showing up in soil below 5.8 pH and you lose iron and manganese above around 6.8... easy enough for someone to mistake the 2. Soil buffers are pretty reliable and they always say just trust your buffers. But ya know, sometimes, shit happens.

This is the Hydro section Sir.

 

[Ninjadogma]

This is the Hydro section Sir.

Mea culpa I walked through the wrong door! Found myself here peeking at recent comments with my stoned brain not paying attention to the category.

Whether soil or soil-less, your plant's nutrient uptake is directly influenced by the pH environment in which it sits. If your plant is calcium starved, maybe just check that you havent sewn the plant's proverbial mouth shut by putting it in a 5.6 environment instead of just throwing more food at it that it can't eat. And as far as getting to know the medium and it's gaps, well I guess if you are following a feeding system from a fert supplier you shouldnt ever see those like you could in soil and if you do, you are probably looking for a new brand.

 

[amneziaHaze]

Yeah.... If I followed that, I'd still be adding Cal-Mag. Was always the bottom fan leaves turning brown/yellow.

Okej strange.no photos? I would say over and under shows different.and allsoo ppms usually dont fall they rise. But i dont use athena i dont know whats inside.

And your ph was perfect this whole time.i usually fuck my plants not from lack of nutes vut the ph is too low

 

[DillyTrying2Learn]

Okej strange.no photos? I would say over and under shows different.and allsoo ppms usually dont fall they rise. But i dont use athena i dont know whats inside.

And your ph was perfect this whole time.i usually fuck my plants not from lack of nutes vut the ph is too low

Too lazy to look back in my photos and find the old pics. I did post some on here previously when I was having the problems. I've always kept my PH above 5.8 and below 6.2 but typically around the 5.8-5.9 range. If I get the urge to try and find the pics I will post them. It was never the new growth and always the old. Typically the biggest fan leaves were first to start to turn.