Please Help Identify My Problem

[Stevovovo ZA]

Hi All,

So I’ve got 3 plants growing. Indoor hydro. All 3 are in clay pebbles (hydroton) with drip irrigation using the Lucas method for feeding (8ml micro, 16ml bloom - 3 part EHG Liquid nutrients). I’ve been using RO water to feed. Water has been ph’d and is maintained between 5.7-6.3 or so.

The plants are all lit by CFLs. I don’t think that has anything to do with the issues having though.

A few days back all 3 of my plants started showing light patches on the leaves and some tiny black/dark spots (I ran out of RO water and changed over to filtered dam water. It is clean enough to drink and we have done for a while, so I don’t think it’s anything sister from that).
Anyway, it was only watered with that for a day or 2 and I’m back to the RO water. A lot of people have mentioned it could be spider mites, but I’ve had a really good look and can’t see any. No webs or anything that might be the mites. Another person said it could be calcium/magnesium deficiency.

My large plant is about a week into flowering (9-10 weeks total) and the 2 smaller ones are about 5 weeks from seeds.

Please could someone help me make sure these little ladies all make it and bring me countless joints of happiness! Pics are attached.

 

[AngryBird]

@Pennywise have you got a clue?

 

[Emilya Green]

I suspect powdery mildew

 

[Remystemple]

I had a few spots on some leaves that kinda looked like that. I actually thought my humidifier was spitting out larger droplets onto the plants at times.

You'll probably just all lol at me but that's my chip in

 

[Pennywise]

Can you use a damp paper towel and wipe the spots off the leaf?

 

[Stevovovo ZA]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies. I’ve seen a few pics of powdery mildew and am pretty sure it’s not that, but thanks

I can’t wipe or scrape any of the stuff off of the leaves. The little black dots were really tiny, and also wouldn’t come off unless I scraped the actual leaf and broke it. So I suspect that it’s not mites either?

It Gets pretty warm in their grow space and humidity of between 60-70. Their reservoir sits below them and the water filters through their growing medium. I replenish it every few days or so.

I’m hoping it’s just a fixable deficiency or something that’s gna be cleared up with fresh water, nutes and some CalMag...

 

[Emilya Green]

On second glance I am convinced it is spider mites. They will be on the lower trunk, below the first node... little black specks that move. Neem is your friend

 

[Stevovovo ZA]

I have looked the plants up and down, all evening... not a single moving black speck. Surely if it were mites I’d be able to wipe them off or see them move?

 

[Pennywise]

My first guess is spider mites, a couple of your leaves are showing classic mite damage.

 

[Emilya Green]

They are very tiny moving black specs, you almost need a magnifying glass to see them... look for little webs between the first couple of sets of branches too

 

[Remystemple]

I read an easy way to check for mites is to shake a few leaves over a white piece of paper. it should allow you to see the tiny black specs moving. apparently.

 

[Pennywise]

Classic spider mite damage

 

[Remystemple]

Classic spider mite damage

It kinda can look like a cal def eh?

 

[Pennywise]

Yes but calcium deficiency is well defined spots, this is almost mottled

 

[Emilya Green]

Yes but calcium deficiency is well defined spots, this is almost mottled

and is almost always at the top of the plant

 

[Pennywise]

Yep

 

[Stevovovo ZA]

Thanks again guys. As mentioned, I’ve given the plants THOROUGH comb over for mites or bugs. Done the paper test, checked all the leaves and stems for webs... can’t find a single bug!

I am still suspecting a calmag issue here.

 

[Remystemple]

Thanks again guys. As mentioned, I’ve given the plants THOROUGH comb over for mites or bugs. Done the paper test, checked all the leaves and stems for webs... can’t find a single bug!

I am still suspecting a calmag issue here.

If you're sure try adding some to the feed and watch the new growth.
I also read that some types of weed don't like the lucas formula as much as others. consider a 123 ratio for flowering.

Again I'm still in my first grow, just trying to toss some ideas out there, and hopefully learn something myself in the process.

 

[Stevovovo ZA]

So I’ve done some more research and that’s lead me to believe I have thrips? They suck out the sap from the leaves and stems and leave almost shiny/yellow/silvery spots all over. The little black dots I see are supposedly their poops. Haha..

Anyway, I’m going to get some neem oil that’s supposed to get rid of them. Will send updates when I have.

Thanks again err’body!

 

[Remystemple]

So I’ve done some more research and that’s lead me to believe I have thrips? They suck out the sap from the leaves and stems and leave almost shiny/yellow/silvery spots all over. The little black dots I see are supposedly their poops. Haha..

Anyway, I’m going to get some neem oil that’s supposed to get rid of them. Will send updates when I have.

Thanks again err’body!

Hopefully that's it and you can get it fixed up. I'll be watching to see how it goes.

good luck buddy.