brown spots on 3 week seedling, halp

greenroez

Member
Hey guys im having some issues with my babies for the past 3 days.
Details:
Northern lights feminized
4/5 plants having same issue.
The plant not having issues was watered in the solo cup about 12 hrs before transplant, the others had not gotten watered in 3 days.
3 weeks from seed
600 watt mh bulb @75%
Sunshine #4
Added 2 tsp per gal of dolomitic lime. (Epsom home depot)
Temps stable 75-78
I have only fed with nutrients once. 1/8 Grow big and 1/4tsp of Big Bloom on the 6th per gal.
Have been watering at about 6.3 ph consistently.
The problem started at the furthest part from the stem and has slowly progressed on affecting the lower leaves but it seems to be progressing from the lower sets. Top growth looks normal. Just transplanted to 7 gal smart pots on the 9th, lightly moisturized the lower half of the soil then watered slighlty(6.5 ph distilled water no nutes) around the area where i transplanted to help root development towards the outer part. Ive been doing lots of research and it seems to be nitrogen deficiency? Im.unware and a noob, hence why im here asking for your advice on how i should tackle this issue. What is the proper way to fertilize in soil less? Preferred ph level? How do i go about raising or lowering it? I.appreciate any help that you may offer.
 

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bondoman

Well-Known Member
"1/4tsp of Big Bloom" not needed for such a small plant.

Where I think you went wrong is the lime addition. Sunshine #4 already contains this. I'm thinking you locked out either calcium or magnesium with all that lime. I do think if you leave it as is it will recover as it grows bigger, but you'll lose some leaves no matter what.
 

greenroez

Member
Thank you so much for the quick reply good sir. The issue had already begun before i transplanted, while they were in the red solo cups that had the sunshine #4 soil less without the addition of lime, i added the lime to the soil that was used in the transplant but not prior. I have attached a pic of when one of the plants begun experiencing this while in the red solo cup.
 

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greenroez

Member
your problem is DISTILLED water, it is not good for growing unless you add calcium and mag back to it.
I was aware of that but seeing that sunshine #4 had some dolomitic lime(contains cal mag i think), they're still little babies, i assumed(stoopid i know LOL) that would be enough for this stage of the development. Im gonna look for some cal mag nearby, walmart home depot maybe to see if they carry it. I know i will need it. So you believe it is a problem with cal/mag? One of the plants has had no issues, same water, light, soil less mix.
 
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chuck estevez

Well-Known Member
I was aware of that but seeing that sunshine #4 had some dolomitic lime(contains cal mag i think), they're still little babies, i assumed(stoopid i know LOL) that would be enough for this stage of the development. Im gonna look for some cal mag nearby, walmart home depot maybe to see if they carry it. I know i will need it. So you believe it is a problem with cal/mag? One of the plants has had no issues, same water, light, soil less mix.
distilled strips the cal mag out, it takes time for lime to break down and that is more for ph control. I GUARANTEE that is your problem.
 

greenroez

Member
Is there any way i can feed them without watering them directly to the soil? Since they are in 7 gal pots dont want to over water. When i transplanted them on the 9th I moistened up the lower half of the smart pot where the mix would just turd out of my hand when i squeezed it, airy. Can i foliar feed or is it to early? Thank you again
 

chuck estevez

Well-Known Member
Is there any way i can feed them without watering them directly to the soil? Since they are in 7 gal pots dont want to over water. When i transplanted them on the 9th I moistened up the lower half of the smart pot where the mix would just turd out of my hand when i squeezed it, airy. Can i foliar feed or is it to early? Thank you again
That is a awful small plant for a 7 gal pot. I would get some cal/mag mix up a little and just water a little around the base of the plant. then you probably won't have to touch it again for awhile. When you can pic up and it feels light, water. next time, start out in a smaller pot and work your way up.
 

greenroez

Member
Ive just called walmart, lowes, home depot, and a nursery and they have none. I do have access to well water, without a softener and it leaves like a white residue when it dries on any clear surface, is that cal or mag? Maybe dilute a portion in distilled water to remedy it now while i order some online? Maybe another subsitute? Appreciate the feedback
 
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bondoman

Well-Known Member
Ive just called walmart, lowes, home depot, and a nursery and they have none. I do have access to well water, without a softener and it leaves like a white residue when it dries on any clear surface, is that cal or mag? Maybe dilute a portion in distilled water to remedy it now while i order some online? Maybe another subsitute? Appreciate the feedback

I think the others gave good advice. To me looks like probably calcium but since you had the problem before transplant like you said, it looks like the opposite, not a lockout but a deficiency. Whatever you do don't overdo it, it won't take much to correct your problem. Damage is done you'll continue to see those spots get worse that doesn't mean you're doing something wrong, your plants look pretty healthy overall.
 

bondoman

Well-Known Member
Ive just called walmart, lowes, home depot, and a nursery and they have none. I do have access to well water, without a softener and it leaves like a white residue when it dries on any clear surface, is that cal or mag? Maybe dilute a portion in distilled water to remedy it now while i order some online? Maybe another subsitute? Appreciate the feedback
I've heard well water isn't that great, though everyones well is different. If that's your only water source and if you can afford it maybe invest in a RO system to use on your well water.
 

greenroez

Member
Im headed to a garden center bout 30 miles out. The man on the phone stated they didn't have cal-mag together, but they have them separate. Ill try to take some pics while im there. Would this work similarly to a cal-mag blend? Thanks again fellas
 
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