I have the Rev's book and did his soil and layers and spikes. Instead of the ground oyster shell I used extra crushed oyster and lime and added a little wood ash. The plants did amazing through veg and I had to put them in the woods for July so they wouldn't get too big. Toward the end of July they started getting yellow lower fan leaves. I put them under one tree for two weeks and then into full light, all the while this problem exacerbated and now most of the fan leaves are gone and growth is severely retarded. While they were under the tree I began with good compost teas and this has not helped. The PH was up to 6.3-6.5 and I added some gypsum to the first two teas and the surface tested at around 5.5, now it is about 6. This clearly did not help either. Any ideas what is going on? and how to fix it. I have really low ppm well water and filter it (which does nothing) and use water from my dehumidifier and reverse osmosis tap as well. All twelve plants are the same way. Thanks!
The Rev's layers and spikes are a less then ideal mix.. A fully blended uniform soil will do a better job.. This late I doubt much you can do will have any effect and I'd just ride it out.. Black plastic nursery pots above ground ?? We have a problem Houston.. Your roots are getting cooked.. Paint the pots white.. Cover with scraps of towel or sheeting or bury in the ground next time.. Just my 2 cents off the top of my head as at least part of your trouble.. Organic soil is dynamic and self adjusting so toss your PH meter in the drawer your chasing a ghost you can't catch with that meter.. Dehumidifer water can have high metallic content issues and I wouldn't use it if it were me.. Reverse O I don't remember the issue with but it's another most don't use if I remember.. Lack of any metallic ions ?? hmm someone will know.. Some strains naturally drop fans from early in flower.. My Blue Berry is like that and by harvest she's down to just stems and buds for the most part.. Finishes just fine.. My GSC was the same way.. BNW
That sounds a little small to me man. I know 'the rev' likes to recommend the small pots for some reason. How long have they been in those containers? Mind sharing a pic or two of the plants in question?
Spikes and layers are 110% completely unnecessary and are nothing more than a gimmick to help sell his book and whatever else Da Rev makes money on. Having your plant roots run into hot areas of pure nutrients; even organic nutrients is bound to cause nothing but issues. Other than that I cannot comment because I don't know what your soil consists of or how it was made. J
PHThanks guys! I appreciate it. I have had my crops destroyed by deer, ma dukes, skunks, helicopters, rats, hermaphrodites, June frosts, and now the Rev. Nah, I didnt follow it exact (should I have really had too?). One time I grew 10 ft thunder stalks with fist size nuggets in the swamp though. Jerry, I lost the index card with my mix on it, but I let it cook for three or four weeks,. I didnt have worm castings, so I used a little more cow manure, didnt have feather meal, added a little extra N guano. Your analysis does not really surprise me, it seemed a bit overly complex and unnatural. Would you make a soil mix much stronger or would you use bigger pots? Thomas, I agree the pots seem small, but they plants do not seem particularly root bound. I will get that pic, wifey already took it. They were transplanted in early to mid June, started showing problems in late july. Brass, Thanks for the tip, that makes sense, I will cover the pots. Is there a brand of white and black pots? Growth is retarded and there is definitely a problem. I dont think th e water is causing the problem, the RO water is 17 ppm, dehumidifier 21, but they only account for about a third of the water, the tap is about 35, but I usually run it through a filter with a carbon filter, which does nothing to the ppm. Does everyone agree that the PH meter for soil is useless? Is the phis still likely a problem? Are Rev's teas ok? Anything else I could do with that? Are there any other books for OG cannabis growing?
Here is the (send them to) soil thread and one of the more active threads on the city.. Most of the base mix is on the first page so give that a read and compare it to your mix.. http://forum.grasscity.com/organic-growing/1116550-easy-organic-soil-mix-beginners.html/page-1 I'd just buy a bucket of a white primer like killz and paint them when you can.. The few white pots I found at the hydro store were limited in size selection and most small.. The best cannabis education you can't buy is right here on the city.. Tea.. Even this has become a thing of the past being replaced for the most part by Malted Barley Grain.. I used to brew it but now I don't even go that far.. Toss a 1/4 cup or so of ground powder under the plant once a week and water in.. What could be simpler.. 1 pound of 6 or 2 row Malted Barley from your neighborhood home beer brewing shop.. He'll ask if you want it milled and say no.. Should cost a buck and change per pound.. Stop at bed, bath and beyond on your way home and buy a $25 coffee bean grinder or steal your wifes old one if it's no longer in use.. 1 ounce ground to powder mixed with 1 gallon of water.. Bubble up to 4 hours and use immediately.. Do not store as it will turn acidic.. Or just soak and stir when you remember.. I prefer the last option of just tossing the powder down and watering.. BNW