Soil Mix - Low In Nitrogen

Discussion in 'Growing Organic Marijuana' started by StringBurner, Sep 11, 2014.

  1. Hi All,

    I'm running a mix which I believe I followed the standard recipe here to a T. But, it seems to be low in nitrogen. I might've thought it was the strain or environment or something else - except I have peppers growing outdoors in the same mix exhibiting the same yellowing of the bottom leaves.

    I've remedied this (I think it's working) with an organic grow/nitrogen type of liquid bottled nute.

    Has anyone else experienced this? I'm suspecting the bagged buffaloam compost falling short but couldn't say for sure.

    Any tips to amend the remaining batch and more importantly the current batch with plants in it?

    Thanks!!
     
  2.  
     
    Organic?  Bloodmeal!
     
  3. Well what's your recipe exactly?

    What makes you think it's low N?

    Blood meal might be overkill on nitrogen but the a simple fix seems to be a kelp tea.
     
  4. I'm using the recipe outlined in the pinned topic Easy Organic Soil Mix for Beginners: http://forum.grasscity.com/organic-growing/1116550-easy-organic-soil-mix-beginners.html

    I'm diagnosing it as Nitrogen because the lower leaves are yellowing, wilting and ultimately a couple totally shriveled and died. The same thing was happening to some hot pepper plants.

    I've been dosing the plants with Earth Juice Grow (liquid) which is primarily blood meal and steamed bone meal. The pepper plants were quick to recover but I caught them earlier than Shackzilla.
     
  5. I read some kelp tea recipes and luckily I have most of that on hand.

    I'm confused about the usage though. If you brew a gallon does the whole gallon go in the plant?
     
  6. Whatever amount you generally water with I imagine.

    I don't think one gallon would flood your garden.
     
  7. StringBurner
     
    Do you have alfalfa meal in addition to your kelp meal?
     
    CC
     
  8. #8 StringBurner, Sep 11, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 11, 2014
    I do sir. Well, I should say I have Dr. Earth's alfalfa meal and Espoma's kelp meal on hand. I also have Dyna-Gro Protekt on hand and could easily grab some aloe vera from the local health food shop (some of the recipes I read called for silica and aloe added after the brewing and before the feeding - if I read it correctly).

    I've also got some EWC and compost from Build-a-Soil if I could put those to good use in the recipe.

    I've only got about 4 weeks left on the Shackzilla and I'm hopeful I'll make it through. I would also (if recommended) add the tea to the peppers which are still in the early stages.

    Thanks for chiming in!
     
  9. StringBurner
     
    Easy fix.....
     
    This is for 5 gallons of tea so adjust as necessary...
     
    1/4 cup kelp meal
    1 cup alfalfa meal
    5 gallons of water
     
    If you have an air pump and airstone you can put that into the water to keep things moving around in order to release as much of the compounds as possible. If you don't have an air pump then stir it around as often as possible.
     
    After 24 yours apply this full strength but before you do that top-dress your container with a couple inches of your vermicompost.
     
    All will be well...
     
    CC
     
  10. Ok I'll give it a whirl. Stay tuned for an update.

    Thanks everybody for the input!!!
     
  11. Chicken manure pellets...

    J
     
  12. #12 StringBurner, Sep 12, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 12, 2014
    Tea is a brewin' :)

    I'll try adding the chicken manure pellets to the remaining soil. I have quite a bit left. Any advice on the right ratio/gallon or what have you will be well received.

    I have a bag of high nitrogen bat guano but last time I messed with that stuff I burned my plants. I was tempted to amend the remaining soil with that but was planning to "cook" it first. Feel free to approve or contradict that idea. Especially if you think the chicken manure pellets are more effective or safer.

    Really appreciate the guidance. Working in getting a battery for my camera to share. Thanks!!

    Edit: This is the first tea experience. Thanks for getting me up to speed.
     
  13. #13 over dere, Sep 12, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2014
    StringBurner
     
    Are you talking about Sunleaves Mexican Bat Guano (10-1-1) by any chance?
     
    CC
     
  14. #14 StringBurner, Sep 12, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 12, 2014
    Yup, that's exactly what I have.

    Edit: I've had it for awhile. Picked it up at the hydro shop. I've only recently read there's some ethical issues surrounding guano. Hope it doesn't offend - chalk it up to being a newb.
     
  15. Tea has been applied!
     
  16.  
    I use bloodmeal also, ESPECIALLY for my peppers! Best source of straight N I have found.
     
    Yes, I also have plenty of Kelp Meal and Alfalfa Meal and use them. Used them exclusively for a while after listening to the "Eewww, it's dried blood and icky", crowd for a bit, but the alfalfa and kelp weren't quite what was called for when all I needed was a straight shot of N.
     
    I add good amounts of alfalfa and kelp to my mixes and everything gets planted in the same mix. But the peppers and a particular Indica strain are really N hogs and get a blood meal top dress. Other stuff gets alfalfa and kelp tea and the dregs later as needed.
     
    Guano is fine (I like the seabird shit, myself), but not really as a top dress or tea. It's just too slow, add it to the mix for best results. It's great for long term slow release.
     
    BTW, if you didn't use dolomite for your lime, you might (for the peppers anyway), be short on Mg. A bit of epsom salts will fix that right up. VOE on that one, tomatoes too. MJ, it seems, needs much less than those 2.
     
    Anyway, you'll see as you use different things and observe how well they do, or don't, work.
     
    Wet
     
  17. Bloodmeal or aged chicken manure.

    Chicken manure is REALLY cheap at lowes right now. 1.50-2 bucks a bag
     
  18. Quick observation:

    I applied the tea earlier to the peppers and Shackzilla. The peppers are still on the young side and have the misfortune of trying to gain footing during the hottest time of year. They've yet to look super healthy.... until now. I'll emphatically state they responded VERY positively to CC's alfalfa/kelp recipe. Admittedly, I kept my expectations low so I'm kinda surprised. I wasn't really expecting them to stand up at attention and spread their wings like that, never mind so soon. Pretty darn cool!

    Shack went without treatment for longer than the peppers and it's a more mature plant. There wasn't an immediate response like the peppers but even if it responds fractionally as well, I'm sure it'll make it through. The lights went out so I'll post progress soon.

    Sounds like bloodmeal and/or chicken poo are worthy additions. I'll be picking some up soon!

    Thanks fellas.
     
  19.  
     
    GRRrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!
     
    I read this before from you.
     
    Went to my local Lowes, asked for the chicken manure, and got looked at more than funny. Like, one of the 'hill people', that live a bit further out of town, the banjo pickers. :eek:
     
    The funny part is, there are more than a few egg farms in the area, and no shortage of chicken shit. IDK
     
    Wet
     

Share This Page