Almost no space between nodes

SANoob

Member
So this is my first grow and i know its a learning curve but i seem to keep making mistakes. I used random bag seed from a friend so i know there are a few different strains in the 5 plants i am growing.I guess this is why a couple of them are doing fine but the rest of the plants seem to have little to almost no space between nodes and all the leaves are small in size. What am i doing wrong?
 

lio lacidem

Well-Known Member
There is alot wrong there unfortunately. Have you used any nutes? They definately need some epsom salts. Give some more details of your grow please.
1.grow medium
2. Nutes what and how often
3. Water schedule.
 

SANoob

Member
Alright.
So i am in South Africa good going medium for weed isn't readily available so i did the best i could by mixing 50 percent compost,20 percent pearlite and 30 percent potting soil. (not optimal i know but it is my first grow so it was the best i could do).
Nutes are nitrosol by greena gardens. Used once a week for two weeks but stopped cause nute burn and nitrogen toxicity started showing.
Watering schedule is half a cup every second day.
The plants are 6 weeks old.
Topped 2 weeks ago
Changed into 12/12 lighting yesterday.
Grow space is small about 45 cm wide by 60cm deep by 130 cm high.
Using a 150 watt HPS bulb.
only planning on growing 2 plants in the grow space but first have to sex them.
Oh i also don't have anyway to test the ph of the nutes or water i am giving them i know this is an issue but there isn't much i can do about it
 
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SANoob

Member
Oh the other thing is i put some plants that were previous in the grow space outside as i ran out of space in the grow space and i have been giving them the same nutes and water but they are doing well.
 

SouthCross

Well-Known Member
That nitosol is a fish based fertilizer. To increase the shelf life they add a lot of acid to it. By itself, it's probably in 4.0 ph range. That's why your plants are translucent yellow. It's not too big of deal outside. Used in pots, it'll mess the plants up.

I'd suggest using in a compost tea to raise the PH. Bubbled for at least three days.
 

SANoob

Member
That nitosol is a fish based fertilizer. To increase the shelf life they add a lot of acid to it. By itself, it's probably in 4.0 ph range. That's why your plants are translucent yellow. It's not too big of deal outside. Used in pots, it'll mess the plants up.

I'd suggest using in a compost tea to raise the PH. Bubbled for at least three days.

Ok cool. So what is a good mix to make compost tea with? Keep in mind it would have to be pretty basic stuff cause there isn't that much variety here in SA. Will that also sort out the spacing between the nodes?
 

SouthCross

Well-Known Member
Ok cool. So what is a good mix to make compost tea with? Keep in mind it would have to be pretty basic stuff cause there isn't that much variety here in SA. Will that also sort out the spacing between the nodes?
1 cup worm crap, tablespoon black strap molasses. Whatever the instructions are on the bottle. Only add half the strength of the fish.

Your plants are stunted. Your soil is acidic. It'll take a while for the plants to recover. I'd guess about two weeks on recovery.

If you have more seeds on hand. I personally say throw those plants away. Fresh seedlings in healthy soil will be the fastest to your goal.
 

SANoob

Member
1 cup worm crap, tablespoon black strap molasses. Whatever the instructions are on the bottle. Only add half the strength of the fish.

Your plants are stunted. Your soil is acidic. It'll take a while for the plants to recover. I'd guess about two weeks on recovery.

If you have more seeds on hand. I personally say throw those plants away. Fresh seedlings in healthy soil will be the fastest to your goal.
Alright thanks man. Don't really have the option of throwing these girls out so ill try get whatever i can from them.
 

SouthCross

Well-Known Member
Alright thanks man. Don't really have the option of throwing these girls out so ill try get whatever i can from them.
Ok. Nothing but plain water for the next three waterings. 25% run off. If you pour 4 liters of water in the pot. 1 liter should run out the bottom. Don't feed again until the plants use what's in the soil first.

If you can store rain water. The PH is around 6.8-7. Not sure about creek or river water but it'll be a lot higher PH then the fish fertilizer.
 
Well 2 thinga the plants are unhealthy they are drawing sugars from leaves which indicates a serious nitro deficiency. Your light is too close raise that and raise temps as well. No space between nodes is desirable but not this young
 

SANoob

Member
Ok. Nothing but plain water for the next three waterings. 25% run off. If you pour 4 liters of water in the pot. 1 liter should run out the bottom. Don't feed again until the plants use what's in the soil first.

If you can store rain water. The PH is around 6.8-7. Not sure about creek or river water but it'll be a lot higher PH then the fish fertilizer.
The tap water here is about 7.8-8 so that should help. I do have some gwano pellets by pro tech that i can use if that helps.
 

SouthCross

Well-Known Member
The tap water here is about 7.8-8 so that should help. I do have some gwano pellets by pro tech that i can use if that helps.

Use the tap water. That ph should counteract the acid in the soil. Those size of plants, depending on how much fish liquid is in the soil. Shouldn't need more nutes for two weeks. A solid 14 days. Some of the nitrogen in the fish fertilizer is slow release. Other ingredients are quickly absorbed. The plants need to use what's already in the soil and their root system isn't that big yet.

One thing about cannabis is it'll clean the soil. But the PH has to right. 6.5-7.0. If not, they'll continue to struggle.
 

coreywebster

Well-Known Member
SANoob do you not have aquariums in SA? You can pick up a ph test kit for cheap from any tropical fish store. Not the best things in the world but its better than nothing.
 
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