HELP! Plants got the droop

[m4cK]

Hello all! I'm having some problems with a couple of my plants, I'm new to growing and not sure what the hell is going on need some professional advice... I started out by watering my plants twice every 24hours for a 30mins each time on a timer - then i upped it to 3 times also putting my nutrient mixer (Grow Ionic ) EC 2.0 / PH 5.8... 3 of my plants fell over and have never been the same since !! here is a little information on setup

Setup:

Plants 2 weeks old - Strain Paradise seeds - Jacky White
Wilma 4 pot (growing 5)
400watt HPS air cooled (18hours on)
Temp 27degree's
Humidity is normal
Water heater
Air tube + stone
Fan blowing slowly on plants
I will be posting some pictures on in the next couple of hours!! thanks

[asc12389]

I am not to experienced at growing. However I do know a few things. You did not specify in your post if you are using soil or not. It sounds like you are using soil. It also sounds like u have an irrigation system setup to water your plants. You should not water your plants twice a day. This is way to much. I would recommend watering by had every other day until water runs out the bottom of the pot. Also giving nutrients in the water 3 times a day is way too much. You are nutriet burning your plants. The trick is to start out with a diluted dose of nutrients and work your way up. Over watering and over fertilizing causes plants to wilt, droop or fall over.

[m4cK]

Here are some pictures - oogle your selfs!

[Help_Needed]

Originally Posted by asc12389

I am not to experienced at growing. However I do know a few things. You did not specify in your post if you are using soil or not. It sounds like you are using soil.

Actually, no, he's not. A Wilma 4 pot is an ebb-n-flow hydro system. Unfortunately that means most of your advice doesn't apply, although it would have been great if this was a soil grow.

Originally Posted by m4cK

Hello all! I'm having some problems with a couple of my plants, I'm new to growing and not sure what the hell is going on need some professional advice... I started out by watering my plants twice every 24hours for a 30mins each time on a timer - then i upped it to 3 times

I'm growing in a DWC system, not ebb-n-flow, but I've been following the grow logs of a couple of people who are using ebb-n-flow. There's a really good one here http://forum.grasscity.com/grow-jour...ease-help.html from a guy who's using the same set up you are.

I'm pretty certain you're not watering often enough. Both of these guys are using 15 min every 2 hours, during lights-on, somewhat less during lights-off.

Also, I'm a bit curious about your water heater. Most hydro setups have problems with reservoir temps being too warm, not too cool. You want your reservoir system to stay down between 65F and 70F (thats 18C and 21C for you European types ). An ebb-n-flow system can tolerate slightly warmer temps, but it's not ideal. So check your temps. If it's too warm, the plants will have a hard time absorbing nutrients.

[m4cK]

Thanks for reply - i started out using rockwell cubes then put them in pots with clay balls if that helps, i'm sure some one will know whats wrong looking at the pictures

[m4cK]

Originally Posted by Help_Needed

Actually, no, he's not. A Wilma 4 pot is an ebb-n-flow hydro system. Unfortunately that means most of your advice doesn't apply, although it would have been great if this was a soil grow.



I'm growing in a DWC system, not ebb-n-flow, but I've been following the grow logs of a couple of people who are using ebb-n-flow. There's a really good one here http://forum.grasscity.com/grow-jour...ease-help.html from a guy who's using the same set up you are.

I'm pretty certain you're not watering often enough. Both of these guys are using 15 min every 2 hours, during lights-on, somewhat less during lights-off.

Also, I'm a bit curious about your water heater. Most hydro setups have problems with reservoir temps being too warm, not too cool. You want your reservoir system to stay down between 65F and 70F (thats 18C and 21C for you European types ). An ebb-n-flow system can tolerate slightly warmer temps, but it's not ideal. So check your temps. If it's too warm, the plants will have a hard time absorbing nutrients.

^excellent stuff thanks !! i have my heated on a timer for when the light goes out and the temps drop - so that i can keep the water steady temp

[Help_Needed]

Hmmm...if your ambient temps really are 27C during lights on, I strongly suspect your res will get too warm. That's about what my hut was running and I had to add a chiller to the line to keep the nutes cool enough. So keep an eye on those temps

[m4cK]

i will be monitoring the temp thanks for the advice - would this cause the plants to droop tho?

[Help_Needed]

Originally Posted by m4cK

i will be monitoring the temp thanks for the advice - would this cause the plants to droop tho?

I don't believe so. Usually high temps will cause your plants to show one or more nutrient deficiencies since it makes it hard for the roots to eat properly.

My main guess is that he droop is caused by not watering frequently enough.

[Genesis]

Actually drooping is caused by overwatering, not underwatering :-P Underwatering usually leads to leaves curling upwards.

[Dr_GreenThumb]

Originally Posted by Genesis

Actually drooping is caused by overwatering, not underwatering :-P Underwatering usually leads to leaves curling upwards.

actually you're wrong. Drooping can just as much be underwatering or overwatering. Most new growers tend to overwater but underwatering leads to drooping as well. I know from experience that underwatering will lead to drooping but if you water them then they should perk right up the following day.

[Help_Needed]

Originally Posted by Dr_GreenThumb

actually you're wrong. Drooping can just as much be underwatering or overwatering. Most new growers tend to overwater but underwatering leads to drooping as well. I know from experience that underwatering will lead to drooping but if you water them then they should perk right up the following day.

Yep. Add to that the fact that it's almost impossible to overwater in a hydro system as long as there is enough dissolved oxygen in the main reservoir. OP indicated that he's got an airstone in his res, so he's probably golden as far as DO is concerned.