nutrients Liquid Nutrients

Helldozer

Helldozer

Hey All,
 
I have a few seedlings...maybe a little older than that, experiencing some lower leaf drop, leaf curl, and a little pale. From experience, I believe this is a calcium deficiency. They are not over watered, I keep them fairly dry. I'm thinking of getting some Cal-Mag, but was thinking if I'm going to get that, maybe I want to get something with calcium and other nutrients to boost my plants. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm looking for just one bottle of something, not combining two or three bottles of nutrients. 
 
Or, should I just go with the Cal-Mag?
 
Thank you.
 
sounds like you are overwatering them to be honest. lack of calcium isn't gonna cause leaf drop either.
'lower leaf drop' is pretty standard as they grow up/
Although you say you arent overwatering, your plants are showing classic signs of it and i don't think throwing nutes on them are gonna help much. If they are yellow, it usually means over watering. if you can share some pics, people will be able to help more.
 
Post a picture, please.
 
about calmag
you can't get a one bottle solution because of chemistry.
adding high concentration of calcium causes stuff in solution to precipitate (come out of solution leaving a bunch of junk at the bottom of the bottle).
That's why you see cal mag usually offered in separate bottle than the rest of the nutes. 
 
alternative
dolomite lime is a soil additive that will decompose and provide calcium over time (so you don't have to keep applying it is nice)
 
about your problem
seedlings usually don't show signs of calcium deficiency since they don't require much.. It is usually overwatering.
 
even if there is signs of calcium deficiency it's not always that you need to add more. PH lockout is when your medium ph is out of range the plant can't absorb nutrients effectively.
 
This is good...
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georgej said:
sounds like you are overwatering them to be honest. lack of calcium isn't gonna cause leaf drop either.
'lower leaf drop' is pretty standard as they grow up/
Although you say you arent overwatering, your plants are showing classic signs of it and i don't think throwing nutes on them are gonna help much. If they are yellow, it usually means over watering. if you can share some pics, people will be able to help more.
Click to expand...
 
I will try to get some photos later.  I have had these in cups for about a month to a month and half, and only watered them twice. I learned in my first couple of years not to over water. I typically wait until they begin looking sad, wilting if you will, before I water. Maybe too close to the lights? Just to give you an idea on age, they range from about 2-inches to 4-inches in height. I'm using Lady Bug Vortex soil, with a sprinkle of, I think this is the stuff I have,  Jobe's Heirloom Tomato and Vegetable Plant Food. Here is the link to the ingredients: http://www.kellysolutions.com/erenewals/documentsubmit/KellyData/ND%5CFertilizer%5CProduct%20Label%5CJOBES_ORGANICS_NATURAL_ORGANIC_FERTILIZER_HEIRLOOM_TOMATO___VEGETABLE_2_5_3_9_17_2013_3_59_34_PM.pdf
 
  Fox Farm makes great nutes. But you should test and make sure pH is at a proper level before feeding. The same goes for earth juice. The starting pH is largely dependent on the water your using. RO water will have a low starting pH and charcoal ion filtered will have a high starting pH. Your in the Bay Area like I am, so I know you have a lot of options as far as hydro stores. Try going to a local hydro store and ask them for some advice. Take pictures of your plants with you.
 
In my experience most bay area tap water PH (city water) is very high averaging between 7.8-8.1 PH.
 
Fox Farm Tiger Bloom when used half strength should bring your PH down to low 6's (ideal). However I would use only 1/4 strength on plants as young as yours, FYI I would never use it full strength, even on mature plants.
 
Also depending on how much Jobes you put on them? The issue could be fert burn. A good potting soil should have enough nutrients too sustain them for 2 months, adding Jobes to plants that young could be too much.
 
IMO best way to save plants with issues like this is to clean the roots of the old soil in a bucket of water and transplant into fresh potting soil.
 
Good luck, hope things work out.
 
I did the soil test, and the vinegar was VERY slightly bubbling....I heard it bubble just a hair.....I heard it more than I saw it bubble. So, it must be somewhere close to a PH of 7. Not sure if that would be enough to make the plants look like they do. I've attached a couple of photos for reference...
 
IMG_2473_zps1g6ipw0v.jpg

 
IMG_2475_zpsnydlni36.jpg

 
IMG_2474_zpsiox0sjyk.jpg
 
I wouldn't do anything too drastic as your plants look great to me.  It looks like a response to too dry, too wet or too hot.  They look healthy enough to ride it out.  As for liquids, I stick with Fox Farm Big Bloom with Grow Big during 'veg' and tiger bloom when I want them to fruit.
 
those plants look pretty good in fairness. some kelp emulsion would help them in my opinion, but honestly they aren't exactly suffering and you could keep doing what you're doing and have great results once you get them planted outside
 
Those plants don't look too bad at all.  I would use some epsom salts for a bit of Magnesium.  You can either do a foliage spray or add a bit to the pots.
 
Helldozer said:
Thanks all, appreciate it. You don't think the PH is a little high?
Click to expand...
Personally I prefer a pH of 6.0 - 6.5. Some nutrients are almost unavailable at 7.0. And peppers prefer a slightly acid soil, 7 is alkaline.
 
You really shouldnt let the plants wilt between waterings, it does a lot of cellular damage. Watering when the top inch of the soil is dry is the rule of thumb.  My money is on under-watering.  Both peppers and cukes have shallow roots because they're under-story plants they live in slightly shaded areas that are consistently moist.  Too dry! thats my opinion based on my own observations.  If everything is going well there is no leaf drop, no curl and those plants would be a lot greener.  90% of all pepper problems come down to moisture one way or another, usually too much but this time too little.  The only way a plant moves nutrients through itself is through transpiration, cant do that without water.
 
Just a word of caution... don't let that cucumber plant linger around your peppers for too long.  Those "tendrils" will reach out and grab anything and everything around them to help the plant grow out and will turn your plants into a knotted, tangled mess!
 
So, as I mentioned before, I have been watering in moderation. However, I just watered my plants the day before yesterday, and now the plants look a little more yellow and a few lower leaves dropped. Any thoughts?
 
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