Watering / Feeding Frequency to curb a possible overfeeding problem

frettfreak

Well-Known Member
Ok, so I really should know this and thought i did, however, just cant seem to get it perfect.

I am growing in 6x6 rockwool cubes at the (will be transferred into 5g buckets w/ grow-cubes / croutons when they go to flower). I use the GH 3 part Flora nutes and RO water (and the GH feed schedule). These particular girls are 3 weeks into veg (just starting week 3). I hand water also which is why i am posting this. I can find lots of info on flood / drain and soil grow, but want to make sure what i am reading applies to the way i am doing it too. Dont think it really applies here, but i am under a 1000w MH about 4 feet above the canopy.

I seem to ALWAYS get over-feeding / nitrogen problems (too much) and really just want to get some feed back on what to do to fix it. my girls ALWAYS get REALLY REALLY dark (too much N), and eventually the leaves will start to wrinkle (over-fert IMO). I dont get nute burn so it must be the frequency that i am feeding at.

I will post what i have done here for reference with PPM's, and PH.
The start of week 1 is when i transfer into 6x6. I water more at first because they get dry at the top which is where my roots are at when i first transplant. I did let my rockwool soak over night at 5.5ph and flushed that through very thouroughly with ph 5.5 water and lite nutes (less than 100ppm)

Week 1 Day 1 Watered 1 good run through (about 1 gal per girl) PH 5.6 / 5.7 PPM: 390
Week 1 day 2 3 sec @ PH: 5.7 PPM: 483
Week 1 Day 3 3 Sec @ PH: 5.7 PPM: 328
Week 1 Day 4 10 sec @ PH 5.7 PPM: 441
Left alone for 3 days
Week 2 Day 1 5 sec PH 5.7 PPM: 35 (pretty much just RO with a little warm tap water to bring up the temp, but added a little H2O2)
Week 2 Day 3 3 sec PH 5.7 PPM: 401
Week 2 Day 4 Flush 20 sec PH 5.7 PPM: 47
Left alone for 4 days
Week 3 Day 2 3 sec PH 5.7 PPM: 369 plants were looking a little off, checked run-off and my PH was REALLY high (run off was coming out at 6.9) decided to run a good amount of water through so Blew out about 20 sec @ PH 5.7 PPM: 227
Left alone for 4 days
Week 3 Day 7 15 Sec @ PH 5.7 PPM 600

That was 2 days ago, was thinking about just giving them straight RO tonight.

I can give you the nutrient profile for every watering if that is really necessary. Also, i will post pics when the lights come on. Over all they look ok, but not like others i have seen so i am obviously just doing something wrong.

Any help is greatly appreciated!!!! :clap:
 

deman81

Member
I think you are over-thinking and worrying about things that are are inconsequential. KISS (keep it simple stupid) is what I have learned from my commercial grow buddies and makes life so much easier.
For example:
Water/feed when the plants and medium feel light. (pick them up when dry and when fully watered and water before they are "dry light" but do not water/feed when they are still heavy. Water till there is runoff then wait till they dry out somewhat before repeating. This may be a few days when they are small and a few hours when they have matured.
Dark green leaves (with a few wrinkles) is what we all strive for in Veg. If the leaves twist, yellow, droop tip burn etc then there is a problem (usually too much nutes) that has to be rectified.
Once established I watch my plants grow an inch a day in veg and I know they are happy when the leaves all point upwards towards the light shortly after it comes on and have a dark green color.
 
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