Coco Growers Help Needed: Increased Drying Time in Week 6 of Flower, Normal or Concerning?

Muzzle2

Well-Known Member
Hey fellow growers! I'm currently in Week 6 of flower with my cannabis plants grown in coco, and I've encountered a couple of changes that have left me seeking advice. Since the beginning of Week 5, I've noticed a significant increase in drying time, with the plants now taking 2-3 days before the next feed. Up until Week 5, I was providing 0.5 gallons of water a day, split into two feedings, and everything seemed on track.

The plants look healthy overall, but I'm a bit concerned about some bottom bud sites and side branches not receiving sufficient light, resulting in browning. Additionally, I've been monitoring the PPM of the feeding solution, which was at 1600 in Week 5 and has risen to 1750 in Week 6.

I'm wondering if this slowdown in feeding are normal during this stage of flowering. Unfortunately, I couldn't find much information on these specific issues online.

Any experienced growers out there who can share their insights? Is this a natural part of the flowering process, or should I be adjusting my feeding schedule and PPM levels? Your expertise would be greatly appreciated!

Side note: I flush every once a week in flower. Tomorrow is my flush day. I'm debating on diluting my food right now to lower PPMs and feeding when they're dry between today and tomorrow.
 

Lou66

Well-Known Member
I doubt many people can help you as they don't experience this. For best results you should fertigate 5 times per day. Flushing isn't necessary as every feeding should have 10 % run off.
 

MickFoster

Well-Known Member
Your ppm's are way out of line.
I suggest you flush the crap out of them with a mild nute solution until what's coming out is close to the same that's going in.
Feed at least twice daily to substantial run off with a 6.0 pH........never use plain water. If you do that you'll maintain an acceptable ppm and you won't have to flush.
 

1212ham

Well-Known Member
1st three rules of coco...

1. Don't let it dry. It causes the EC to spike.
2. Don't feed straight water. It leaches cal and mag (and others) from the coco. IF you NEED to flush, use a week nute solution.
3. Feed to 10-20% run-off.
 

secretmicrogrow420

Well-Known Member
Hey fellow growers! I'm currently in Week 6 of flower with my cannabis plants grown in coco, and I've encountered a couple of changes that have left me seeking advice. Since the beginning of Week 5, I've noticed a significant increase in drying time, with the plants now taking 2-3 days before the next feed. Up until Week 5, I was providing 0.5 gallons of water a day, split into two feedings, and everything seemed on track.

The plants look healthy overall, but I'm a bit concerned about some bottom bud sites and side branches not receiving sufficient light, resulting in browning. Additionally, I've been monitoring the PPM of the feeding solution, which was at 1600 in Week 5 and has risen to 1750 in Week 6.

I'm wondering if this slowdown in feeding are normal during this stage of flowering. Unfortunately, I couldn't find much information on these specific issues online.

Any experienced growers out there who can share their insights? Is this a natural part of the flowering process, or should I be adjusting my feeding schedule and PPM levels? Your expertise would be greatly appreciated!

Side note: I flush every once a week in flower. Tomorrow is my flush day. I'm debating on diluting my food right now to lower PPMs and feeding when they're dry between today and tomorrow.
bro you say lower bud sites are browning? do you have a picture? this sounds bad lol
 

Muzzle2

Well-Known Member
bro you say lower bud sites are browning? do you have a picture? this sounds bad lol
I'll get pictures up sooner than later, but the lower useless branches that do not get enough light are just not producing. Happens to me all the time, but everything else is doing great!

I will check the EC of the Medium today. That might give a better idea.
 

Muzzle2

Well-Known Member
You don't need to wait for the pots to dry. You can water several times per day in Coco
I've received this advice many times, but when I do this my tree's don't like it. They eventually end-up looking overwatered and droopy. This is during week 1 - week 4 of flower. I would feed it daily and have runoff, but my plants wouldn't look right.

Once I stopped and spaced out my watering days my plants started thriving. When I flush, I do 2 days in a row with 15% runoff. Then I go back to feeding.
 

TCH

Well-Known Member
I've received this advice many times, but when I do this my tree's don't like it. They eventually end-up looking overwatered and droopy. This is during week 1 - week 4 of flower. I would feed it daily and have runoff, but my plants wouldn't look right.

Once I stopped and spaced out my watering days my plants started thriving. When I flush, I do 2 days in a row with 15% runoff. Then I go back to feeding.
What ppm are you feeding? What nutes you running?
 

MickFoster

Well-Known Member
Do you use fabric pots? And are they elevated?
Your ppm's are 3 times what they should be with coco and daily feedings.........I never go over 600.
 
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Muzzle2

Well-Known Member
Do you use fabric pots? And are they elevated?
Your ppm's are 3 times what they should be with coco and daily feedings.........I never go over 600.
Yes, I'm using fabric pots, we try to pump the PPMs. Gives us better color, and terps.
 

Lou66

Well-Known Member
I've received this advice many times, but when I do this my tree's don't like it. They eventually end-up looking overwatered and droopy. This is during week 1 - week 4 of flower. I would feed it daily and have runoff, but my plants wouldn't look right.
Do you wash your coco? If it has too many fines and few fibers the air to water ratio is off and you can have overwatered plants. With good coco, especially with perlite, established plants are never overwatered. I recommend the site that was already posted here. It has everything to set you on the right track.
 

Muzzle2

Well-Known Member
How do you get light output over 100%?

Assuming your conversion factor is 0.5, your EC is quite high, I rarely exceed 1.5 EC (750ppm on 0.5 scale). Letting coco dry back dramatically will only raise the EC far above what you're feeding.

Also, browning of lower bud sights is not due to insufficient light,
I will provide pictures of the lower bud site and the top bud sites. What's directly under LED vs not getting much LED Light at all. I use Gavita's and the controller allows up to 115%.
 
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