Help! They're dying...

troutbeer

troutbeer

After a great growing season here in Wisconsin, I thought I'd take two of my favorite plants (Datil, and Aji Chombo) and repot them to put in my basement over winter. This is my first try at this.  They started well enough, but soon had a predictable bout of aphids. They got extremely bad in a short time and seemed to stress both plants quite a bit. I sprayed with neem, premethrin,  and they seem to be in check now, although I cant leave my guard down. Since the transplant and aphid crisis,  they now seem to be rapidly dying and I'm not sure why.  They have been getting yellow pale leaves and dropping them like mad. All buds and blossoms, of which there were tons at transplant, have either fallen off or been trimmed by me. Even the greener leaves seem to drop at the slightest touch. Here are some details on the growing conditions:

● Repotted in potting mix, worm castings, added perlite, kelp meal and bone meal.

● Placed in 60F basement at about 35% RH under 8 T5 grow bulbs, which are on a 12h on off cycle.

● Mylar film curtains surround the plants with open edges and not quite reaching the ground. This puts the temp in the tent at about 75F when the lamps are on. I have a small fan circulating air inside to keep the temp even and bring in some fresh air from the bottom and sides.

●  I am sensitive to not overwatering, but it is hard to tell in these deep pots. I have them up on blocks and they seem to drain well.


At this rate, these plants will be dead in very few weeks unless something changes. Please share your thoughts.

Thanks.

- Trout

2f1548f9ff17696829ee292034108f65.jpg
68b30ffc236b260e2e9a1747502b6501.jpg
718523a786fd9ff498bbde1952b9654b.jpg


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
 
For whatever reason, those first pics make my plants look way better than they actually are. Here are a few with them out from under the lights...

- Trout
cb196c9080c3e67fb18b90c12ff2f06b.jpg
727438765e53007f83c6713a4e225fb0.jpg
f57ec3c826832754a35ff5abb271af19.jpg


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
 
I don't know exactly how bad your aphids were, but I would probably expect them to look about like this after transplant and pest shock. Leaves that were damaged by aphids are going to slowly fall off for a while and the plant will put new leaves out.
 
To me they don't look all that bad. I've had peppers bounce back from way worse. I would trim them back even more and let them do their thing.
 
probably transplant shock and the plants adjusting to the different light spectrum. I wouldn't worry about it for now, they look healthy just keep on doing what you're doing. most of the time overwinters won't look great but they'll survive through winter and that's all that really matters  :dance:
 
I myself wouldnt cut them back too much yet, until they're looking a bit healthier, and until then I'd give them more like 16-18 hours of light per day. Then if you want to slow them down for the winter, you can cut down on the light.
 
Hafners said:
I myself wouldnt cut them back too much yet, until they're looking a bit healthier, and until then I'd give them more like 16-18 hours of light per day. Then if you want to slow them down for the winter, you can cut down on the light.
Click to expand...
 
I cut my chocolate primo way back and am running my lights 4 on 8 off twice a day. pics to follow.
 
20171029_192805.jpg

 
20171029_192743.jpg

 
20171122_224648.jpg
 
The plants look pretty good to me too. You should always expect this kind of reaction after a big infestation and recent transplant.
 
What kind of lights are you using Cap?
 
If we are talking transplanting from being in the ground, I always get the same results.  Today, if I save a special plant from the garden I do like Capcom did to his chocolate primo.  Cutting way back also helps keep the pests from entering the grow room.  It seems really harsh, but the goal is to save the root bundle more than anything else.  With a good root bundle, you are miles ahead of starting from seed again in the spring.
 
CAPCOM said:
attachicon.gif
20171112_210012.jpg

1000w HPS with a sunsoaker reflector.
Click to expand...
Can you link me that light?

Are you using any sort of ventilation system for that to control temps/RH?

Also about how big is that room, if youre growing everything off that one light id like to see how it compares to my room size
 
Update:
The leaves are falling at a reduced rate, but the plants continue to be very stressed. I noticed that particularly on the Aji Chombo, the leaves look almost chlorotic. They have been treated to some magnesium and iron, but I am beginning to suspect something else.
The closer the leaves are to the lamp, the worse the leaves look, and the lower leaves and ones that are under others (shaded) seem much happier. Chould this be sunburn? Is 8 T5 lamps too much for these plants? I never figured that I could overdose my plants with uv, but based on what I'm seeing, it almost looks like that's what is happening. Am I crazy? Should I pull back to six bulbs or even four?

Any opinions are welcome. Thanks very much for the input so far.

- Trout
4dda87c6f4475db487d86a27afd65583.jpg
3609486600727a963f3a890a45c304ea.jpg


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
 
Teaks said:
Can you link me that light?

Are you using any sort of ventilation system for that to control temps/RH?

Also about how big is that room, if youre growing everything off that one light id like to see how it compares to my room size
Click to expand...
 
https://www.htgsupply.com/products/digital-greenhouse-dimmable-1000-watt-ballast
 
https://www.htgsupply.com/products/high-yield-sunsoaker-reflector
 
Temp controlled by day/night cycle and oscillating fan.
 
RH controlled by door.
 
110sq feet
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top