AK-48 babies possible pH problem?

These 'babies' aren't that old, I germed them around the second or third of jan, and they popped a day or two later. All was well until I had a case of bugs, which I got rid of by using a home mixture of soap. Anywho, I'm not sure if it is the soap residue that is causing the leaf curling, but I'm thinking I might be having a pH issue? Anyone have any ideas on what to keep the pH at? They are in a 5 gal DWC right now, I am using FloraNova nutes at 1 tsp/gal right now. My pH was 6.3, and I've since lowered to 5.8, but have seen no improvements (which is why I am here).
The newer growth looks healthy, as does the younger plant (2 days younger maybe; was tiny when I noticed the bugs so it wasn't sprayed as much). Just want to be sure all is well.
I've read in some places that this strain prefers a much higher pH such as 6.7-7.0. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks!

id say the soil you have them in would be causing some of ur problems, looks very heavy and not breatheable for the roots, i know you said they are in dwc now but it also looks like mold or salt buildup in the top of the soil in the grey color. If they are in dwc they should be in the range of 5.8-6.2. i have ak-47s going now and for the life of me cannot get the ph stable at 6.0. i adjust it every day and im still looking for an answer to the falling ph!

The soap.

Your plants are having difficulty breathing.

Plants take in Co2 from the underside of their leaves through the stomata. Since plants do not have lungs, they depend on air movement to support this gas exchange. (Breathing)

When you spray soap into the pores, they become clogged and do not take in adequate amounts of Co2 to aid in the process of photosynthesis.

I recommend spray/misting the undersides of the leaves with either Spring or filtered water. After a day or so of cleaning out the pores, the plant should be able to take in enough Co2 to accommodate the right balance for the nutes, lighting.

The detergent that you used was partially absorbed in a systemic manner. (Effecting it from the inside)

After a week or so, the plants should be out of the woods.

Good Luck!

bubblebucketguy said:

id say the soil you have them in would be causing some of ur problems, looks very heavy and not breatheable for the roots, i know you said they are in dwc now but it also looks like mold or salt buildup in the top of the soil in the grey color. If they are in dwc they should be in the range of 5.8-6.2. i have ak-47s going now and for the life of me cannot get the ph stable at 6.0. i adjust it every day and im still looking for an answer to the falling ph!

Click to expand...

That is Coco they are in, and the discoloration is from the soap solution. I'm having the same problem as you with the pH. Thanks for the info!

Farmer Tom's All Natural said:

The soap.

Your plants are having difficulty breathing.

Plants take in Co2 from the underside of their leaves through the stomata. Since plants do not have lungs, they depend on air movement to support this gas exchange. (Breathing)

When you spray soap into the pores, they become clogged and do not take in adequate amounts of Co2 to aid in the process of photosynthesis.

I recommend spray/misting the undersides of the leaves with either Spring or filtered water. After a day or so of cleaning out the pores, the plant should be able to take in enough Co2 to accommodate the right balance for the nutes, lighting.

The detergent that you used was partially absorbed in a systemic manner. (Effecting it from the inside)

After a week or so, the plants should be out of the woods.

Good Luck!

Click to expand...

I thought that to, esp. as I could see the coating on the leaves and I have been spraying them with water everyday for about 3 days now. I'll continue spraying them and keep my fingers crossed. The new growth looks great, so I am hoping they will be fine as more growth comes in. Thanks for the info!