bad end to first grow?

Question

Hello Friends,  This is Day 26 of flower on this NL-auto on the left (please ignore for now the Candy Land Auto on the right).   Based on PH, PPM readings and looks, I've been battling calcium deficiency/nutrient deficient/PH since about day 25 from sprout in FFO soil, - which is when I started adding the CalMag and initial nutrients to my RO water. (I know I was negligent and late and yes I am sorry and I deeply regret it.) I believe I underfed those nutrients for the following few weeks ... So here she and I are  now ... and I have some questions I hope you folks might help answer.   1. Based on the damage (much of which was pruned away last week), is this going to be bad bud to smoke? (taste, potency, etc.)  2. Given the age of this plant, and given the long-term nutrient deficiency when exactly should I flush and then stop watering?  3. How do I use this Carson Microbridge Plus 60x-120x LED Lighted Zoom Pocket Microscope with Aspheric Lens System to look at the trichomes? Do I use tweezers to pinch a tiny bit of bud off and look at on a flat surface? Or do I push the thing all up onto the colas? Something else?  4. Does this story have a sad ending? Thanks so much for any helpful advice you all can share!

Cap Stone · Accepted Answer

Hi, call me crazy but I think we can save her!

I don't think you did anything horrible wrong here. Ok, it sounds like you have been working on fixing things such as PH and adjusting the amount of nutrients you have been feeding. If you have taken care of things then the problem should stop spreading but damaged leaves will not recover (no big deal).

If the problem is still spreading, then I would guess you have over corrected. To fix that, just flush the heck out of her with plain water PH'd to 6.5. Once she dries out (could be a while), then go back to feeding nutrients but at half strength.

Here is my best shot at answering your questions:

1. Based on the damage (much of which was pruned away last week), is this going to be bad bud to smoke? (taste, potency, etc.)

The bud should be fine. Worse case is you get a lower yield.

2. Given the age of this plant, and given the long-term nutrient deficiency when exactly should I flush and then stop watering?

Flush when she looks about two weeks from harvest, then water only after that until harvest. You will start to see amber pistols forming then you know you are 2-3 weeks away. The company you got the seeds from should have an estimated harvest window which should still be close.

3. How do I use this Carson Microbridge Plus 60x-120x LED Lighted Zoom Pocket Microscope with Aspheric Lens System to look at the trichomes? Do I use tweezers to pinch a tiny bit of bud off and look at on a flat surface? Or do I push the thing all up onto the colas? Something else?

When the pistols have all receded then it is about harvest time (you still have a ways to go), at that point I usually cut the tip off the tiniest sugar leaf sticking out from a bud and look at both sides of that on a flat surface.

4. Does this story have a sad ending? Thanks so much for any helpful advice you all can share!

You still have time to turn things around. The pistols are all sticking straight up so you still have a ways to go before harvest.

aarcamp · Answer

Thanks so much! I did a regular watering today of just RO water (nothing added). The runoff had a PH of 6.2 but a very low PPM at 361. Do I need to flush more before adding back CalMag and Fox Farm 3 Part?

Mr. Grow It · Answer

Looks like a textbook case of light burn. Which grow light are you using and how far away is it from the top of the plant?

Mr. Grow It · Answer

@aarcamp Ok so it's about 16" from the top cola now? That means it should be getting ~700 PPFD dead-center of footprint. I would see how the plant reacts to that. Unfortunately the impacted leaves with brown spots won't recover but you shouldn't see any further damage.

aarcamp · Answer

Was able to get it up just a littler higher with some pulleys. Trying some serious LST on the plant on the left to prevent this happening to her.

Setting up a small greenhouse this weekend, so should I let these girls finish life in the greenhouse rather than deal with how small this tent is?