1st grow - FLOWERING stage but I have no idea how close to pop!

[Crow]

Hi Folks,

Here is a typical example of my 3 plants. They are all pretty much alike in size, form and bud spread. Been in flowering stage since mid-July. Indoor - 78° average temp with a slight breeze under a 400 watt HPS set at medium intensity. My space is too small. Tallest plant has buds about 12" away from the light - the others more in the 14" range - but I have run a net across so that none can get closer to the light.

I check and correct the PH every time I water - about once every 8 days - but I still see leaves more yellow than green. No curl, no spots, no tendency to fall off - just yellowish leaves. I keep hoping that the next watering will take care and start them greening again. They appear yellow even when NOT under the light.

Here are some photos. You can see the detail of the bud. Not ready for picking - that seems clear - but I can't tell when they might be ready. I have the before and after photos from the web site to study but my untrained eye can barely discern a difference. Any thoughts, comments, criticisms appreciated. You can't hurt my feelings. I am a proud newbie after all - what the heck do I know? That's why I'm here.
Teach me please. There will be a next time.

Thanks for all your help.

Crow

[nono]

im a first time grower to I would as you to check your drainage it look like its not draining properly thats all i can think of for a first time grower myself

[D.A.A.S.69]

Sounds like you been underwatering, them to me , what kind of soil an size buckets are you using Crow. Pretty pictures. Are you feeding her?

[Obi-Wan]

Just a few questions to think about....how much water do you give them? Do you get runoff? Do you give nutrients with the water? It appears you are in soil, may I ask what kind?

[Jibblerjoe]

Them hairs are looking all browned up. Im thinking she done.

[Crow]

Really??? None of these buds are bigger than my thumb after 6 weeks. I'm listening though...

[Jibblerjoe]

You got a scope to check those trics. As for bud size, they are smallish , but look pretty mature.

[Crow]

Hi all, thanks for your interest. These are 3 gallon pots. I water once a week +/- and each plant gets 1 gallon or so of PH balanced water. I take them outside. They definitely have run off. I use the finger to 1" depth test and also use a moisture meter. For example - they are now 1 day drier than normal using the finger test but the moisture meter suggested to me that I should water tomorrow morning rather than today.

The soil is a combo of Coast of Maine products - https://coastofmaine.com/product-cat...ducts/compost/ Equal portions of the Quoddy Blend Lobster Compost and the Bar Harbor Blend Premium potting soil and about 20% perlite. I started out adding a very light dose of SuperThrive early on but I had issues with very yellow falling leaves that suggested I was over loading with nutrients so I canned that altogether. The soil mix is pretty rich so I backed off on adding any other nutrients - just keeping the water balanced. May have been too close to the light too. I have raised my lights several times equalling 10" higher than when I started but that's as far up as I can go this time around.

I certainly have been wondering if I should water less but more frequently. I have been concerned about getting into a cycle in which the plants would completely dry out between waterings. As it is now the water meter is my standard guide for all my house plants in big pots which are all very healthy - thriving even. These girls however look a bit stressed. They've been worse but the ongoing lack of rich green leaves has me concerned. Would hate to lose them at this stage. They have improved since my last watering - whatever that is worth - so I was optimistic that the next watering would see them getting back on track.

Thanks again.

Crow

[Obi-Wan]

I would suggest to water less more often, and you may want to add the nutrients at this time. I have a friend that grows in soil and he gives as much water as he can without producing runoff to avoid washing out the nutrients from the soil.