nouch420

The stem on one of my plants has become brown like it's dying.The wierd thing is it's only below the very first set of leaves(the round ones).Above the first of leaves the stem is green, thick and strong but I'm worried that the plant will bend or break off. Any help would do.
-nouch

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nouch420

organic

read this thread and answer as many questions as you can, then we can start making a diagnosis.

Thanks
rganic

nouch420

ok, Here it goes.....

1. Are you growing in Soil or using a Hydro system?

I'm growing outdoors in soil.They were started off indoors though.
2. How old are your plants? Are you growing Clones or from Seed?

My plants are a couple weeks old and are grown from seed.
3. How tall are your plants?

the sick one is about 6in.
4. What size containers are they planted in?

It's in a container that's about a gallon and a half.
5. What is your Soil mix composed of? Are you using pre-fertilized potting soil?

The soil is just regular potting soil with horticultural sand added.
6. How often do you water?

I water with tap water that has been distilled to let the chlorine out. I added some miracle grow into the water for some extra nutes.
7. Are you using fertilizers?

Just Miracle grow. Been using it for about a week. It's chemical and it's NPK is 15-30-15. I fertilize every two days or so.
8. What kind of lights are you using?

The plants are outdoors. So, they are under the sun.

9. What size is your grow space?

They have enough room to grow 6 ft. tall if they wanted too and 3 ft. wide.

10. What is the temperature in your grow space?

It's outdoors and they temp. in SF is about 60 degrees.

11. What is the pH of the soil?

I haven't checked it because there is no reason for it to be too high or to be to low.
12. Have you noticed any insect activity in your grow space?

No, nothing at all. No bugs of any kind.

I hope this helps you Organic or anyone else that wants to give it a shot. My question still remains from the previous post.

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nouch420

organic

Well for starters you're overferting. Especially if you're ferting at full strength. You shouldn't ever have to fert more than once a week, often once every 2 weeks is enough. Also, the fert you're using is more suited for flowering, for veg growth you'll want a NPK ratio of 2-1-1 (like 20-10-10). Ferting should usually start at week 3.

Also when you start ferts, you want to start at 1/4 strength and gradually increase the dosage.

Also, check your pH. How are you so certain it's the right pH? The pH of the water you use, the chemical ferts, and even the soil constituents can all change pH. Only way to know for sure is to test it.

And you didn't say how often you're watering, that's crucial.

rganic

nouch420

the fertilizer I have been using is diluted in water so it is very weak.I water when the top of the soil is dry and I add a little bit of the miracle grow/water solution too. So, I don't think the ferts are the problem. It could be the pH though, I should check what it is.I haven't put the full fledged fertilizers in because the plants are too small to take anything that strong.i hope that helps
-nouch

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nouch420

organic

I see you dismissing problems before adequately exploring them. You seem to be pretty sure about what isn't causing problems with your grow. How come? From your descriptions, none of the things you have dismissed have been ruled out as possible causes.

Usually when plants have problems it's from the simplest cause. It's like in auto mechanics the first question is "does the car have gas?"

Not trying to get on your case here, just trying to help you learn to be a better grower.

OK. For starters, you are probably overwatering. When the top layer of soil is dry, oftentimes it's wet down lower in the pot where the roots are. You should invest in a moisture meter ($6) or do what I do, which is to wait until the leaves start drooping slightly. Basically, you only want to water when the plant asks for it.

Also, just because you have diluted the ferts doesn't mean they're not too strong. Are you diluting them to a specific strength, like 1/4 strength of the recommended dose on the package? More importantly, you probably started too early and feeding with every water is definitely too much, esp. at this stage.

So cut the ferts, water only when the plant asks for it, and see if they don't improve.

Hope this helps
rganic

nouch420

ok
I will do as you recomend and see if the stem strengthens. I hope the little fellow will pull through. Thanks for the help Organic.
-nouch

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nouch420

organic

Post an update in a week or so and let us know how it's going, or before if any new problems show up.

rganic

nouch420

Organic,
the plant is looking fabulous. i stopped using the ferts and the stem became stronger with in a matter of days. the plant is growing faster too.
-nouch

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nouch420

indie

ja!