Fungus nats and over/under watering

[rapatter]

Hello everyone,

I am a first time grower.

Last week I picked up some fully rooted clones from a few different dispensaries I transfered my clones into 4 inch rockwool cubes and put them on top of 9 in. by 7 in. slabs which I wrapped in plastic and cut holes for the cube and a 5x5 in square in the bottom to drain. I put them on the regular veg cycle amount of nutes and only ran them one day on half (which is what they recommend for the first week). I doubled the nutrients on day two to make it normal veg. amounts.

I have just begun to notice some of the plants are appearing to show signs of sickness as shown in the leaf pictures. The plants came from different places and they are showing different signs on different strains. Could this be a problem that was happening before I got them and they will grow out of it? Do I have any nutrient problem or am I over watering. ( I am using a drip system)

I also noticed tiny black flies in the grow area around the plants. I just noticed these today and there seams to be quite a few. I put a cup of vineger in there and some fly tape which seams to catch them. Is this all I can do?

I really appreciate any help!

These photos are bad i will try to get better ones tomorrow.

Photo #1 my setup. should I cut a bigger hole in the bottom to drain more water? 5 in. square now.

#2 look at the little leaf at the bottom there is a dark mark forming in the middle of the middle leaf. Her sister has spotting on a leaf. I couldn't get a good pick.

#3 yellowing and burnt tip on one of the leafs on this one.

#4 same as 2 sisters as well different from photo #2

#5 tried to get a close up of spots on 3 and 4.

[rapatter]

Better photos... is there a way to test deficienies like phosphorus, iron, nitrogen, potasium, etc?

[Klutter]

Hey bro! Glad to meet ya and welcome to the fun of home growin! Nothin like walkin over to the closet to snag an OZ vs having to call a dealer!

SO...on to the ladies! ...and of course, the additional questions I'll have to ask since ya didnt fill us in.

What nutrients are you using in what strength to feed these?
Are you using a pH/EC meter? If not - BUY ONE ASAP - can get hanna's on ebay for cheap cheap
How often are you watering them?

For the black flies - buy some of those NO PEST strips from Walmart/Home Depot/etc...I just set a couple on top of the buckets and within a few days they're all dead.

[rapatter]

Hey Klutter,

Thanks for the response and the greeting.

I do have the hanna tester and the ph is at 6.0 and the ppm is 1100. I haven't check the EC I will do that later today. I just sprayed some attain TR in my dark room so I have to wait. I also put in some fly tape last night and this morning I didn't see any flies. I also was given some stuff called natural??? It looks like chocolate milk, it was given to me by a friend at the hydro store. I am going to mix it and pour it over my cubes and slabs.

As far as the leaves I think it is over watered. I wrapped the slabs completely and only cut a hole in the bottom I was told I need to only cover the top of the slab, this will allow them to drain completely. I am running a drip system and watering for 1 minute three times a day. I have unplugged the pump an I plan on doing the natural wash and then let them sit until tomorrow or when ever they feel dry. The tops of the cubes are still wet after 12 hours.

As for the nutrients I am using house and garden A and B flakes 5 ml. per gallon, drip clean .5 ml per gal., root extractor 1 ml. per gal and superthrive 1 ml. per gallon.

I also wanted to know if purple stems mean anything.

Your advice is very appreciated.

[TexarkanaTim]

Just curious, but why would you double the nutes on the second day? Looking at the pics, I would say you have the beginnings of nute burn and possibly overwatering issues. Cut back on the water a bit, and hold off on nutes for a while. After a week or so, add nutes at 1/3 strength and see how they react. As far as the gnats go, they seem to come around when things are too wet. When I have gotten them before, I just let things dry out a little more than normal and they seem to go away.

[rapatter]

Hey Tim,

Thanks for responding. I was told to follow the first weeks dose for the first few waterings. The first weeks dose is for rooting but they already had plenty so I upped the nutes to the regular veg dose on the second day... again I am a beginner. I also have some leaves that are twisting see photo.

Also I don't see any more nats after the fly tape and the spray.

I think over watering is definitely the problem. I have not watered in 24 hours and the cubes still feel moist.

I checked the nutes with the ppm meter and the ec meter and they are fine.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

[Klutter]

Grodan is a bitch when it comes to controlling moisture - at least until ya get a feel for just how long that stuff needs to go in order to actually dry out. Amazing stuff, almost too strong IMHO.

I think the issue's solution is layed out before us all... moment of silence for all those with a pipe in hand... Over watering, yupper doodles!

Personally - I wouldnt water until I saw signs of her actually needing it (wilt). Note how long it takes in between watering and her wilting, subtract a few hours (to water prior to wilt) and there ya go! Watering schedule custom made for the ladies!

[rapatter]

Thanks for the help! I'm going to put the pipe in hand right now...

Great Idea. They already look a lot better since I stopped watering. What do you think of the setup? Not bad for a first timer eh?

And the flies are gone.