gecko

I dunno why but the tips of my leaves are yellow, and some are even brownish. I hae a 150W HPS with ventilation, so it is not too hot, I water them when I stick my finger into the pot around 1 1/2" and it is not moist, I fertilize them every 5th watering, around every 5th day. What can be the problem? I seem to be doing everything right... Its nothing very urgent but I want my babies to be healthy.

Smoke on.
(_________()~~~~

HillBilly

Howdy Gecko!
If the leaves seem to be turning colors from the bottom-up then it's usually either a pH, fertilizer, or watering problem. When the higher leaves turn colors first, it's more indicitive of heat probs. Have you ever checked the pH? You would be ahead to get a $10 pH meter at Lowe's or Home Depot.

Here's something to try also. If there is a fertilizer build-up, this will help you out a lot... Take your pots and put them in the bath-tub or something to that effect. Then leech the plants with lotsa warm water. Slowly pour the water in. About 1 or 2 gallons to every gallon of soil. This will drain the excess fertilizer from the soil. Let them dry out really well after the treatment. I'd say go for at least a week with no water at all.

It is possible to over water them, even though they look like they need some H2O. (I've over watered twice, the leaves looked droopy and yellow around the edges.) When the soil dries out real nice, the roots are able to suck in a lot of oxygen, and that's what they want. I always jam my finger down in the stuff, about 4 or 5 inches down. If it's still pretty damp, I'll wait a day or 2 more.

~~hb

[This message has been edited by HillBilly (edited March 26, 2000).]

lilbuddie

Hmmm...How does the rest of the plant look? Is it healthy? A nice green, no wilting, no curling, etc?

If you say yes, I'd say that your plants are getting almost too much fert. You could either back off the ferts a tiny bit and see if the new maturing fan leaves develop the problem or continue with what you are doing if the don't get any worse. If it is just the tips and that's all then you are still Ok. I would not leech right unless the signs of overfert are becoming apparent.

Good Growing
LB