potential problem.

Hi guys,

My larger plant which is now nearly 5 weeks old and stands nearly 9" tall is doing really well, however, some of the lower larger leaves have started to turn yellow in certain places, just little dots of yellow on some and some entire leaves looking paler at edges.

I started to add 1/4 strength nutes after about 2 weeks but it burnt the edges of the leaves at that time. I'm guessing that this is a nute problem as the younger smaller leaves and shoots right now are a lovely dark green so i guess they are receiving the goodness they need from the soil and are starving the larger leaves.

I'm thinking of adding a very weak solution of nutes initially but I am slightly scared of nute burns after my initial try with nutes. Does anyone know much about Shiva plants and whether they like a really weak solution of nutes?

The vegetation nutes that I have are very high in Nitrogen, I think it's a 20-15-15 mix, whereas I have read elsewhere that Shiva likes a much lower 9-5-7 mix. Obviously others say higher. Which shall I go for as i've not had to add any nutes at all yet and this is my first proper grow.

p.s. will get pics and post them later on today.

Several plants don't like high Nitrogen. For example - Blueberry. I use an additive called green blast which is a very highly concentrated Nitrogen solution. I have to water this stuff way down just so it doesn't burn my plant. But other strains I grow can handle a bit higher mix. Rare I use this stuff, mainly used if I feel a plant is lacking in Nitrogen. Very rare that ever happens though.

Find a nute that is lower in Nitrogen content.

Have you checked your pH in the soil itself? Should check at different points in the soil just to get a good measure of pH content in your soil.

What if you are giving constant feeds with a ph of 6.0-6.5? Also, if you ph'd the soil before even transplanting the seedling? Can the ph of the soil still go up?

I've yet to buy a ph meter, although it is the next thing I'm going to get, so I've been making do with with the liquid kit. I can't imagine testing the ph of soil with one of those...

Also, i've been using phosphoric acid to ph down during veg', I know I should be using nitric but it's new year and I can't get hold of any. I suppose what I'm asking is... is it okay to use this throughout veg', or will there be a build-up of phosphorous that I may need to recover from?

Thanks Vote 2... (message for skunk below)

I've been testing my ph levels before and throughout my entire grow and i'm pleased to say that so far the ph of the soil (at different levels has been between 6.7 and 7 consistently).

My water has always been about 6.8.

Pictures are enclosed of the tips of one of my leaves and a yellow dot in the centre of one of my other leaves. These are the only discolourations I've experienced so far.

The nutes I have I can confirm the mix is 25-15-15... i'm thinking if i use an extremely weak solution maybe 1/8 instead of 1/4 strength... then i may be ok - check out the pics below and let me know whether you think this is a lack of nutes causing the discolouration.

Skunk, ph levels can change at any time which is why you really need to invest in a ph wand. It was one of my best and most useful buys when shopping for equipment! Absolutely essential! To reduce my ph I've used a very small amount of vinegar for it's acidic qualities mixed with water and to raise it i've been using weak solution of sodium bicarb as it is more alkaline. Hope this helps. I've no idea at all whether your method with phosphoric acid will build up the phosphor content but logic says it seems likely. If you have the money to invest mate, I'd advise getting a proper ph up and ph down solution which really i need to invest in myself.

Maybe someone out there can tell me whether vinegar and sodium bicarb are dangerous? Thing is they work really well!

Your plants really dont preset a problem that i myself would even address at this point, atleast from what i can see in the pics.

Thanks a mill.

Just needed some reassurance as so far my plants have been lovely and green. Will keep a close eye on them.