Why the droop? In coco, not overwatered.

ThatRapperWeed · Nov 21, 2021

Hey all,

Still learning this auto watering system. I'm on about day 17 of veg and have some droopy girls. I've only been feeding once a day, so I'm wondering if it's too much dryback? Im convinced it's not overwatering, my runoff is dialed in, I've been running 12-13 second shots for feeding. Lux is at 20,000 (I had it higher cause I thought they wanted more light but I don't think that's the problem). Any ideas? I gave then 2 feedings yesterday and 2 plants looks happier. I put both last feedings at 12 seconds long and the morning feeding barely had enough runoff, does that mean they're drying too much already?

Temps 81°F day 74° night
Humidity 55% 65%
2 gallon pots
75/25 coco perlite
Advanced Nutrients Sensi Coco
Spider Farmer SE7000 18" at 70%

growsince79 · Nov 21, 2021

I'd back off the light.

ThatRapperWeed · Nov 21, 2021

growsince79 said:
I'd back off the light.

You think raise it or lower the intensity? It's weird because the taller ones don't seem to be burning.

growsince79 · Nov 21, 2021

ThatRapperWeed said:
You think raise it or lower the intensity? It's weird because the taller ones don't seem to be burning.

I see now you said you already raised it. The plants look hungry. The weren't getting enough nutes to keep up with the bright light. What's the e.c?

ThatRapperWeed · Nov 21, 2021

growsince79 said:
I see now you said you already raised it. The plants look hungry. The weren't getting enough nutes to keep up with the bright light. What's the e.c?

1.1 going in but I've heard you can't trust readings with Advanced cause of their formula. Nute solution is 1.1 when I measure the root zone with my blue lab pulse it's saying 1.7 ec. That's why I'm also guessing they need more feeding. I'm wondering if 2 times a day is even enough? Roots are already popping out the bottom of 2 gallon. Appreciate your help.

growsince79 · Nov 21, 2021

ThatRapperWeed said:
1.1 going in but I've heard you can't trust readings with Advanced cause of their formula. Nute solution is 1.1 when I measure the root zone with my blue lab pulse it's saying 1.7 ec. That's why I'm also guessing they need more feeding. I'm wondering if 2 times a day is even enough? Roots are already popping out the bottom of 2 gallon. Appreciate your help.

Idk coco @Aqua Man might be able to help.

gristle · Nov 21, 2021

What are your runoff numbers compared to input? One thing I would try is to take off one of the pot toppers to see if that helps speed up dry backs. What was your transplant regime this run?

Dirtbag · Nov 21, 2021

You're only feeding one 13 second shot per day?
I'd also say by the look that they are shying away from the light.

ThatRapperWeed · Nov 21, 2021

gristle said:
What are your runoff numbers compared to input? One thing I would try is to take off one of the pot toppers to see if that helps speed up dry backs. What was your transplant regime this run?

1.1 EC going in 0.7 coming out. I went from plugs to 2 gallons. Hand watered week 1 then auto fed.

ThatRapperWeed · Nov 21, 2021

Dirtbag said:
You're only feeding one 13 second shot per day?
I'd also say by the look that they are shying away from the light.

Yeah, until yesterday and I fed 2 it was getting runoff and I haven't auto fed before so I wasn't sure how to judge when to start two shots or more a day. You think I should be at 3 or will 2 be enough?

Dirtbag · Nov 21, 2021

ThatRapperWeed said:
Yeah, until yesterday and I fed 2 it was getting runoff and I haven't auto fed before so I wasn't sure how to judge when to start two shots or more a day. You think I should be at 3 or will 2 be enough?

2 might be enough. 3 would probably be better. The idea with coco in small pots is to keep it fully saturated and constantly replenish the nutrients several times a day, getting a tiny bit of runoff each time. You don't want much dryback at all.
Gotta treat it like hydro.

ThatRapperWeed · Nov 21, 2021

Dirtbag said:
2 might be enough. 3 would probably be better. The idea with coco in small pots is to keep it fully saturated and constantly replenish the nutrients several times a day, getting a tiny bit of runoff each time. You don't want much dryback at all.
Gotta treat it like hydro.

I appreciate it, still getting the hang of auto feeding but loving the time saving. I set them up for 3, I'll monitor and see how that goes, they're about to go to sleep anyway. I feel like I created an issue with too much light and not enough feeding. I backed the light off to 18". I appreciate everyone's help.

Dirtbag · Nov 21, 2021

ThatRapperWeed said:
I appreciate it, still getting the hang of auto feeding but loving the time saving. I set them up for 3, I'll monitor and see how that goes, they're about to go to sleep anyway. I feel like I created an issue with too much light and not enough feeding. I backed the light off to 18". I appreciate everyone's help.

I think you nailed it. Too much light and not enough feedings. Infact 18" might still be too close, how many watts is the light and what do you have it set to, percentage of power wise? I was cooking my plants first time using LED, right now I'm vegging under 480w LED fixtures, and they're like 3 feet over the plants and dialed down to about 55% power.

When the leaves droop and you see purpling on the top side of leaf veins like that it's a dead giveaway that they're getting too much light. Plants that size I'd have the light way up high on half power until the plants recover and show signs they want more.

gristle · Nov 21, 2021

Check the pH in and out. 2 gal pots are big for the size they are at now, they will catch up of course but auto watering is difficult to define while the roots are establishing. Maybe add another transplant in between plugs and 2gal

Dirtbag · Nov 21, 2021

Holy crap, SE7000 set to 70% at 18" is WAY, WAY too much light. Just reread the OP.
Get that thing like 24-36" high and dial it down to like 40% and you'll be golden.

ThatRapperWeed · Nov 21, 2021

Dirtbag said:
Holy crap, SE7000 set to 70% at 18" is WAY, WAY too much light. Just reread the OP.
Get that thing like 24-36" high and dial it down to like 40% and you'll be golden.

Their instructions are so all over the place. They say veg should be 12-18" and 80-100% I'll back it off some more

Dirtbag · Nov 21, 2021

ThatRapperWeed said:
Their instructions are so all over the place. They say veg should be 12-18" and 80-100% I'll back it off some more

That is straight up too much light they recommend lol. I noticed the same in the instructions for my SE5000, it's the same as nutrient companies telling you to feed 1500ppm.
Seriously if it were me, I'd have it like 3 or 4 feet above the plants to start, and have it at about 40% power. When the leaves perk up and start to point straight up, you'll know it's ready for more. If the leaves are sticking straight out flat, you're in the sweet spot. Drooping and purple veins, too much light.

growsince79 · Nov 21, 2021

According to the chart(which is probably wrong) -16" @ 50% is 700umol - too much for early veg. I'd try 20" @50%

ThatRapperWeed · Nov 21, 2021

Dirtbag said:
That is straight up too much light they recommend lol. I noticed the same in the instructions for my SE5000, it's the same as nutrient companies telling you to feed 1500ppm.
Seriously if it were me, I'd have it like 3 or 4 feet above the plants to start, and have it at about 40% power. When the leaves perk up and start to point straight up, you'll know it's ready for more. If the leaves are sticking straight out flat, you're in the sweet spot. Drooping and purple veins, too much light.

Got the purple veins alright, thanks again for the heads up.

ThatRapperWeed · Nov 21, 2021

growsince79 said:
According to the chart(which is probably wrong) -16" @ 50% is 700umol - too much for early veg. I'd try 20" @50%
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Thanks, I dialed it back to 50% and raised it to 20", hope that makes em happier when they wake up. I feel so bad, hate stressing them, sucks learning new equipment sometimes lol

Why the droop? In coco, not overwatered.

Why the droop? In coco, not overwatered.

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