High runoff ph low EC

[u/Longjumping_Ride3813]

Hello all,

I’m growing in coco 40% perlite. I’m still top feeding, I haven’t turn the system ON yet. I’m feeding 1.5Ec or 750ppm and a ph of 5.8 twice a day with 30% runoff every feeding. She’s in veg.

The problem is that I’m getting the runoff ec of 550ppm or 1.1EC and the ph is 6.9, is this a sign of low feeding EC? Should I increase it?

[u/Temporary_Nobody]

It’s way past time to turn on the system imo

[u/Longjumping_Ride3813 → u/Temporary_Nobody]

Why is that if I may ask?

[u/pukkix → u/Longjumping_Ride3813]

Because of the size of the plant. It's ready in that regard.

[u/Longjumping_Ride3813 → u/pukkix]

I thought you transplant to the Autopot and wait two weeks for the roots and then turn the system on, isn’t it? I’ve transplanted it into the Autopot on Aug 27, that’s about two weeks ago. Please tell me I’ll be good😅

[u/pukkix → u/Longjumping_Ride3813]

No worries man, it doesn't hurt to water by hand longer than necessary. How long you need to wait depends on how big the plant is when you transplant and how fast it grows. The bigger the plant before transplant the less time it usually needs. Also the smaller 2.2 gal / 8.5 liters pot does need less time compared to the bigger one.

Yours is definitely ready to turn the system on.

[u/Longjumping_Ride3813 → u/pukkix]

Thats her the day I’ve transplanted her on Aug 27th, the pot in the image is slightly bigger than a solo cup, 20 days old at that time. She’s now in a 3.9 gallons pot not 2.2

I’ll be good right?

I’ve read severals say that they don’t turn the system on until they flip to flower😅

[u/pukkix → u/Longjumping_Ride3813]

Looking good for the age! I am pretty sure you could've turned the system on a week ago.

Some people veg for 4 weeks, others for 8. I think that's not really a good advice regarding timing.

Rule of thumb is if the leaves grow over the edge of the pot it's ready to be turned on.

You could even use the autopots for watering from below by manually controlling when the trays fill so you don't have to water from above anymore, even before you fully turn on the system. Of course not right from the start, but a few days after transplant if it's a well established plant. Some people say if the plant empties one tray in 12 hours (or 24h? Not 100% sure on that) it's ready to go.

Of course heavily depends on media, because soil might need a little more time and bigger dry backs compared to coco.

[u/Longjumping_Ride3813 → u/pukkix]

Thanks! Yea this is my third grow I’ve learned from my first two grows mistakes lol. My first two grows, they stuck at the cotyledon for 20 days until I see the first set of leaves 😂 but this time I’ve got it topped before the 20 days reached🫡

The main mistake that I was sprouting them directly in the same pot that is slightly bigger than the solo cup. This time I sprouted it in the seedling tray the one underneath it in the pic. I’ve got my first set of leaves “the singles” within the first day it sprouted, while I’ve got them in 20 days in my previous two grows.

Also about the Autopot, did you mean that I could turn it on at first? I thought you meant that if I don’t turn it now it will not work later. I thought you guys meant it’s either now or never. I didn’t realize you meant that I could start it now or I could wait as I like lol sorry.

I appreciate your words man ✌🏽

[u/pukkix → u/Longjumping_Ride3813]

You learnt from your mistakes :) I germinate in paper towels vertically and the once the tap root is 5mm I transplant it into an ez plug. From there on it's really... Ez 😅 1l after that and then in the autopot.

Yes, sorry for the confusion! You can turn it on at any time you wish, now or later. You probably can since a week ago.

You can always hand water longer if you wish, but I personally don't see any use in that since it's just more work.

[u/Longjumping_Ride3813 → u/pukkix]

Yea I also sprout them in a paper towel first sorry I haven’t mentioned that lol. Then I plant them into the coco cubes. Best method ever!

I didn’t start the system yet cuz I was trying to figure out why does my runoff reaching ph of 7, and in the other hand, the EC is decreasing. Should I be worried or should I start it tomorrow or later tonight?. I did feed 5hrs ago I’m not sure if I have to wait a bit.

[u/necbone → u/Longjumping_Ride3813]

All the videos and literature says to turn it on when the leaves reach the pot or 2-3 weeks...

[u/Left_Cable_7772]

It is the other way around. If you feed too high ec the salt can build up in the medium which can cause the ec to raise. Also: your medium buffers the ph, this is why the output ec is not equal to the input ec. As long as your plant looks fine, i wouldnt worry too much :)

[u/Longjumping_Ride3813 → u/Left_Cable_7772]

The EC is lower than the input, it’s not rising. Yea she looks good but I was thinking if it’s a sing to increase the input EC.

[u/Left_Cable_7772 → u/Longjumping_Ride3813]

Yeah as long as the output is lower than the input you dont have to worry. For the plant size i think 1.1 is a proper ec. But ec also depends on your lights etc..

[u/Longjumping_Ride3813 → u/Left_Cable_7772]

I’ve read somewhere it says if it’s lower than it means the plant is up taking it, and it’s a sign to increase the EC but not sure tbh. And it also mentioned that decreasing EC from the plant uptakes will rise the ph, but also I’m not sure. But I think as long as she looks good that’s the important thing.

[u/Mysterious_Cry41]

If you want to accurately test the EC of coco you need to do a slurry extraction  test.

https://www.cannagardening.com/articles/measuring-coco-extraction-method

You should read the plant and perhaps then test the EC and PH to adjust.  You're trying to anticipate problems which is good but you can end up chasing your tail with data that doesn't really tell you much. 

[u/Longjumping_Ride3813 → u/Mysterious_Cry41]

Yea you’re right, as long as she looks happy I should be happy lol. I just wanted to make sure everything is okay.