Hi guys, I am new to both the forum and hydroponics.
2 weeks ago today, I set up a store-bought hydroponics system. Now, I feel growth has become sluggish, and some of the scarce foliage looks a little pale to me.
Any ideas what may be the cause?
On day one, I fertilized the 4 litres (1 gallon) of water with NPK and Epsom Salt. I have not fertilized since.
NPK: 3.7 - 3.3 - 5.1
Epsom: 16%MgO/32%SO3
Thanks in advance, much love from Berlin
Yannic
-
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 970
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:21 am
- Location: Zone 7A - Philadelphia, PA
As apple said, what about your lighting?
Is this Kratky? Are you supplying air to the roots?
For my hydro fertz I was using the following.
I don't Hydro anymore but used this mix when growing indoor lettuces and to feed my seedlings.
Per Gallon
Check PH, may need to adjust, PH is OK around 6.0
This is what I was using for my fruiting plants like tomatoes.
Per 5 Gallon
Is this Kratky? Are you supplying air to the roots?
For my hydro fertz I was using the following.
I don't Hydro anymore but used this mix when growing indoor lettuces and to feed my seedlings.
Per Gallon
- 2g MasterBlend, 4-18-38
- 1g Epsom Salt,
- 2g Calcium Nitrate 15.5-0-0
Check PH, may need to adjust, PH is OK around 6.0
This is what I was using for my fruiting plants like tomatoes.
Per 5 Gallon
- 12g MasterBlend, 4-18-38
- 6g Epsom Salt,
- 12g Calcium Nitrate 15.5-0-0
Thanks for your responses, guys!
My setup has a 24W LED growthlamp situated 25cm (10in) above the plant baskets. It is on 14h per day by default.
I assume the roots are aired automatically, as there is space for air in the tank and it can circulate through a hole.
How essential is Calcium Nitrate? I am not adding it currently.
Will get a PH testing strip asap to check that as well.
Thanks!
My setup has a 24W LED growthlamp situated 25cm (10in) above the plant baskets. It is on 14h per day by default.
I assume the roots are aired automatically, as there is space for air in the tank and it can circulate through a hole.
How essential is Calcium Nitrate? I am not adding it currently.
Will get a PH testing strip asap to check that as well.
Thanks!
-
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 970
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 9:21 am
- Location: Zone 7A - Philadelphia, PA
I'm probably the wrong guy to ask about fertilizers. Look at your roots first.
As far as lighting goes, shop lights or 6500k leds would work, thereare a million options for lighting and your 24 watts sound a little on the weak side.
All I know is what has worked for me
And roots need air, if you are doing a kratky method (google info) roots will get air as solution is depleted.
In an NFT roots get air also
This was a 4" root mass on a marigold plant in an NFT
NFT and Kratky allow plenty of air to the roots.
Something like a Deep Water Culture that has a constant water height needs constant air supplied from something like an airstone.
This is what I was using for all of my hydroponics
Nute Mix per 5 gallons for tomatoes (20-18-38)
12 grams Calcium Nitrate Fertilizer 15.5-0-0
12 grams Hydroponic Tomato Fertilizer 4-18-38
6 grams epsom salts Magnesium Sulphate
(N) Nitrogen (P) Phosphorus (K) potassium
The problem could be lighting, nutrients, temperature and/or lack of air, hopefully a seasoned hydroponics guy will step in and help out
As far as lighting goes, shop lights or 6500k leds would work, thereare a million options for lighting and your 24 watts sound a little on the weak side.
All I know is what has worked for me
And roots need air, if you are doing a kratky method (google info) roots will get air as solution is depleted.
In an NFT roots get air also
This was a 4" root mass on a marigold plant in an NFT
NFT and Kratky allow plenty of air to the roots.
Something like a Deep Water Culture that has a constant water height needs constant air supplied from something like an airstone.
This is what I was using for all of my hydroponics
Nute Mix per 5 gallons for tomatoes (20-18-38)
12 grams Calcium Nitrate Fertilizer 15.5-0-0
12 grams Hydroponic Tomato Fertilizer 4-18-38
6 grams epsom salts Magnesium Sulphate
(N) Nitrogen (P) Phosphorus (K) potassium
The problem could be lighting, nutrients, temperature and/or lack of air, hopefully a seasoned hydroponics guy will step in and help out