TheGodDegree

My question pertains to the lack of continuous bud growth that I am experiencing. I have 3 females about 1 month or so into the flowering stage. Strain is unknown as it is from a few bags of some OK mid's.

They are getting pretty decent light, and watering hasn't been an issue. So far, the buds look real nice, and have started to produce some nice trichomes. However, over the past few days/week, their really hasn't been any significant growth, and one of the plants fan leaves are turning yellow and dying pretty often.

This is only my second grow, but I figured the growth issue may be associated with a lack of K, right? I haven't fed them once throughout their life, and the soil is pretty basic. One of the plants is real bushy and has maintained it's green look throughout, and probably needs some pruning to allow more light. But the other two are not that bushy and definitely allow enough room for light to hit the buds, but these are the two with the yellowing leaves.

I have read in the Cannabis Grow Bible that an easy way to feed them with potassium is with Epsom salts. But I only have the Epsom salts that is for bathing, and I cannot find the gardening ones anywhere.

Any suggestions as to what I can do to fix this issue?

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farmergiles

Are you sure the Cannabis Grow Bible says that? Epsom salts has magnesium, not potassium.

Oh and Epsom salts are Epsom salts, bathing or gardening- same thing.

If your plants are a month into flowering then they will tend to slow growth. The fan leaves tend to go yellow at this time- this should be expected. It happens as the plant comes to the end of it`s life, it uses the goodness in the leaves to produce bud. This is usually shown in the fan leaves at the base of the plant. It`s completely natural.

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TheGodDegree

I could have sworn that it said that. Maybe I misread, I don't know. But when it referred to Epsom salts, it said that the "gardening" ones were better because they dissolve easier.

Either way, I am glad to hear that all this is normal. Because, other than this issue, there are no pests problems, and obviously not burns because I haven't fed it. And the watering is regular, but not overdone. So, I guess I should be okay, if this is a normal occurrence.

I will try and get some pictures up soon, maybe someone will see something I don't. I just have to find my USB cord to go from the camera to the computer first.

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"All mankind is divided into three classes:
those that are immovable, those that are movable,
and those that move."
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farmergiles

Pics are always good.

Manganese deficiency is common and is usually indicated by new growth looking pale. It can be cured with epsom salts. To dissolve them just use a cup of hot water and a spoon.

However what you have described sounds like a normal step in the life cycle of the plant.

If you can post some pics. Also tell us what soil and techniques you`ve been using in your grow so someone may be able to come up with something constructive.

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TheGodDegree

Yea, well this was a very simple and unorganized outdoor grow that turned out to be pretty decent. I was going to get the seeds online, like I did last time, but due to a few issues, it didn't happen. So I just gathered some seeds, germinated them, and planted them in like the last week of April, with no positive expectations.

The soil is just some basic Miracle Grow potting soil. I just checked the NPK and it's 21-7-14. They are in 3-gallon pots. I literally spent no money on this, and basically have done nothing except keep an eye on them, weed them, remove pests and webs, and watered them. I haven't used any pesticides or fertilizer.

It is amazing what weed can do with only soil, water, sunlight and limited attention, lol.

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"All mankind is divided into three classes:
those that are immovable, those that are movable,
and those that move."
-
Benjamin Franklin

farmergiles

More power to you.

Oh- miracle grow may not be the best soil. It`s a bit harsh and chemically and may cause the plants to have problems taking up nutrients. This may explain the leaves yellowing (although like I said this isn`t a major issue a month into flowering). Next time you may want to invest in some decent organic soil from a hydro shop (believe me the returns are worth it) or get a recipe and make your own. Search Yahooka under soil and you should find plenty info. And try and get those pics up!

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TheGodDegree

Yea, I have never heard anything good about Miracle Grow either. But like I said, this was basically thrown together and it was more of an experiment rather than an operation.

Last time I grew, I mixed all organic soil and cow manure, along with the natural fertile soil in the woods nearby. I got real good results. It held water well, but allowed enough drainage to prevent root rot. I was growing Shaman out there and got a significant yield with some really nice buds. I was also using some "Tomato-Safe" pesticide that seemed to work really well. Next year, I will put together something more elaborate and concentrate more on the situation. But I really couldn't do it this year due to work, etc.

On another note, I do have a separate issue - Drying. As you obviously know, the smell is extremely strong, and I do not have a logical option at this point. Last time, I dried them in a box in my house, and checked on them periodically and let some air flow in. But my whole entire house smelt like fresh chronic. The obvious problem is a dark, cool place that will not promote mold growth, but I haven't yet thought of anything logical. I still have a few months I guess, but I'd like to get something going soon. You have any ideas?

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"All mankind is divided into three classes:
those that are immovable, those that are movable,
and those that move."
-
Benjamin Franklin

farmergiles

Are you a home owner, a tenant or living with your folks?

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Cerebro

You should give them a feed.
Sounds like two of them are suffering somewhat.
One month into flowering is still pretty early outdoors, you're still going through veg as well. I'd put some diluted seaweed concentrate in as a feed.
You should try to make the best of what you've got.
I'd also be getting some sulphate of potash, that's your best source of K for soluble outdoors.
But yeah, a bit of a feed may provide some N for growth, may help get rid of some nute lock too, then some flower ferts next feed, in a week or so, then back to veg feed, then flower feed. etc.

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TheGodDegree

Farmer - I am a tenant, that is the issue with the drying in my house.

Cerebro - The only thing is, I don't know where to get any of this stuff. There really isn't any stores around here that cater to gardening I don't think. The only ones I know of are the chains like Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. Can you find these things you mention at stores like this?

__________________

"All mankind is divided into three classes:
those that are immovable, those that are movable,
and those that move."
-
Benjamin Franklin

farmergiles

Ionization may work. Nightlights or similar candles. You could run a duct up to the attic and vent from a cupboard. Natural air flow should shift the smell. You can spend bucks on a carbon filter or ionizer. If you`ve got a trustworthy friend with an attic you can hang the weed there. Or you could hang them in your own attic.

PS. Cerebro knows more about outdoor grows than I do so heed his post. You could get some cow or horse shit. This will be a good source of N. Sulphate of potash you can get at any gardening store. Organic tends to be easier- it`s real easy to overcook things with miracle gro and baby bio and stuff.

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Cerebro

If they are anything like the major hardware stores here they will probably have five of six different seaweed solutions to choose from, they would probably have sulphate of potash too. I can get seaweed concentrate from most of my local food supermarkets in their two metres of gardening shelving.
I'd be putting it in a cardboard box and under a house, or attic if no under house area.

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farmergiles

Srsly? The only place you can get seaweed from in the UK is the beach or in solution from a hydro store.

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Cerebro

Yeah, not seaweed:seaweed though, seaweed concentrate or fish emulsion with seaweed. It's everywhere and works as a foliar feed too.
Are you sure you cant get it at Lowes, Depot etc?

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farmergiles

We don`t have those stores, I spent ages looking as well!

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TheGodDegree

Yea, same here. For me, I live on the East Coast, New England area. It is mainly chain stores like I said, and I haven't seen anything too sophisticated there. Maybe I'm wrong though. Either way, I'm going there tomorrow and searching the whole god damn store for it, haha.

There are some nurseries around though. You think they might have it?

__________________

"All mankind is divided into three classes:
those that are immovable, those that are movable,
and those that move."
-
Benjamin Franklin

farmergiles

It`s worth a look. Srsly though. Horseshit.

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TheGodDegree

Oh, I didn't even see that part of your post bro (farmer). Good idea. While I'm there tomorrow, I'll pick up some cow shit. I don't think they got the horse though. I'm only seen Cow shit in the stores.

__________________

"All mankind is divided into three classes:
those that are immovable, those that are movable,
and those that move."
-
Benjamin Franklin

farmergiles

It`s in the fields. It`s free!

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hempophiliac

Let me weigh in on this, too, because it sounds like what my plants were doing before harvesting. My 7-foot-tall plants, grown in amended organic soil, partly in Earthboxes, and partly in 5-gallon bags, were dropping a tremendous number of sunleaves from the bottom of the plants, yet were blossoming heroically. From what reading I did, it sounded like some of the micro-nutrients were being tied up by pH or some combination were conflicting with each other so had become inaccessible to the plant. My pH was 7.1, still a touch alkaline from the hydrated lime, but not badly out of the acceptable range as far as I could tell. I had also begun fertilizing the soil weekly when budding began with HydroFarm Bloom for hydroponics, seaweed tea, and a little FoxFarm BigBloom. Cervantes recommended flushing the soil regularly for inside soil or hydro-grows, and use of Epson salts, like you would soak an infected sliver in, to release Magnesium, not Manganese. Or maybe it contains both; I'm no botanist. I tried Epson salts in city water, but it seemed as though it made little difference. (BTW, does the chlorine in city water affect cannibus?) I was too stubborn and proud to ask you guys before, but it's all history now since the major rains led me to harvest them a couple weeks early. Still got a fair amount of sticky bud, fortunately. As for drying, I own my own home and my wife is being unbelievably tolerant, so I've been placing the manicured buds on a window screen to dry despite high humidity. Had to remove a few pieces that seemed to have some mold when I tried storing what I thought were dried bud in glass jars, and caught it before losing everything, which happened my first grow with White Widow. The damp bud is now drying again. But yes, it smells like a jungle. Ono air fresheners made the odor relatively managable in the living room area, but our bedroom is still pretty wiff. I'm a relative beginner, too, so please offer any advice that seems appropriate. Thanks for your input, folks!