Help diagnosing/curing Trainwreck

[IrieTree]

Hello, I think its been years since I've made a post here, but I've ran into a problem I can't seem to correct. Well, here's a rundown. Everything's in soil beds filled with black gold coco blend. 12 thousand watt hps split between two rooms. Temps always between mid 60s and 70s. Water comes from a spring on my property and I have been using it for years with no problems. PH usually ends up around 6.5. I planted these into the beds around two weeks ago and they immediately started going downhill. They been lightly fed (under 300ppm) 2-3 times a mixture of the Guano Company's super tea, liquid karma, a little bit of kelp, and Primordial Solutions sea green. The strains are arcata cut trainwreck, and girl scout cookies. The trainwreck is the one that is being most affected. In the shot of the bed the gsc is closest. I'm not sure why I am having trouble this run. Brand new soil, hoods and bulbs. Hopefully the pictures will give an idea of the problem. Any ideas what's going on? Thanks

 

[Midnight Tokar]

The first couple pics look like maybe over-watering. How is your drainage?

 

[IrieTree]

I thought the same thing but its the exact same setup I've been doing for years. Same kind of soil, same beds, same frequency of watering. I put new plastic on my beds possibly I didn't put enough holes in them? I do feel like they dry all the way out between waters. I even waited two days longer than I normally do too water and they were just wilting from not having water and the problem continued. Although, they did look worse a week ago. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Phillthy]

root aphids? broad mites?

 

[IrieTree]

I don't think its mites, not that I can see atleast. And they have been sprayed once with SucraShield just as preventative. I've never once had to deal with root aphids, how would I check?

 

[Bobbles]

Any chance the plastic you just put in the beds is now off gassing into the soil? Id check the drainage on that since its the only thing that has changed. Id also do a thorough check for root aphids and other bugs.

 

[IrieTree]

Im not sure about the plastic. I had left it in the beds with no plants for over a month because I was out of town and not running. I'll pay better attention to the drainage. And looks like I have to do some research on root aphids. Never had them, no anyone I know, at least that we were aware of. Thanks everyone.

 

[burns1n209]

swirl your finger around the top of the coco and youll see them, just look close and careful, magnifying glass if ya got one. Try to get your ph down top 5.8 you could just be locking out at 6.5 with coco.

 

[IrieTree]

Its not straight coco, its a blend of 50-60% sphagnum peat, coco coir pith, pumice, worm castings and dolomite lime. Should I still be wanting a lower pH?

 

[IrieTree]

http://www.blackgold.bz/black-gold-waterhold-cocoblend

 

[canna woop!]

Hey there

looks really good actually, at least as far as the communal bed you built. I really like the way that design looks!

That being said, I can see why you are posting in this section. Looks like 'something' is going on. My guesses would range from "nitrogen lockout' to signs of soil damping off. Some times letting the soil dry out won't help at all when the damp off sets in.

I would make suggestions to turn the situation around, but it's probably not going to call for your pH meter... or anything "brand new" in it's packaging (you said the soil is brand new)

frankly I would top-dress with 1-2'' of good vermicompost (compost including bits of organic material at various stages as well as many juvenile and adult redworms), and increase air flow into the bed if possible. Perhaps drilling more holes in the sides and bottom and setting fan's on the area.

the aerobic microbes in vermicompost will soak the root zone and kill off bad fungus (if this is the issue). It also has a fast release nutrient that will replace the hydroplex.

there are other aerobic microbes that will kill root fungus such as EM or ACT, but then it gets more complex,

hope that helps

woop!

 

[SeaMaiden]

Irie, you can't see broad (or hemp russet) mites with the naked eye, you need pretty good magnification. Not saying that's what it is, but using the process of elimination does lead somewhere.

Also, learn about vapor pressure deficit and how to control it. If it's not an issue with VPD, then I would reconsider pest or pathogen.

If you're feeding and watering them in that mix at pH that high, that, too, can cause lockouts and other issues. Drop it into the high fives and no higher than 6.2, see how they respond.

 

[IrieTree]

Thanks everyone. Much appreciates. I'll follow all your leads and see where it goes.