These poor plants have had a tough time. In the big picture, from left to right, it’s an AK-47 and a Banana Kush, both going into their final week or two of flower (actually I can’t figure out if the banana might even be ready sooner), and at right is a GSCE that still has three or four weeks of flower left, I think.
Last week, they had thrips. I freaked out. Big thanks to folks here for helping me. Sprayed with spinosad and no sign of the thrips.
So, thrips in mind, what else could cause this issue? I have been adding coconut water to their feedings along with the cal-mag and kelp I was already using. Is it too much, causing what looks like deficiency?
If not nutrient overload, then maybe I have messed up the pH or something. I got a pH pen now, which I will figure out, but I was using the pH test strips before that. Maybe they are not accurate enough.
I hope I haven’t messed up yet another harvest! Haalp! As for fixing it, best I can do is make sure pH is correct, and continue with the cal-mag as directed? What about the coconut water and kelp?
Sorry, should also have mentioned it could be too much light or light too close, but I don’t think so… The GSCE is looking especially sparse but does still have at least 2-4 weeks of flower left.
Mars Hydro SP 3000 (first time using it), 5g autoflower living soil mixed w/ Happy frog, all organic.
Kind of looks like Nitrogen deficiency to me. It’s not the lights… Strong or too close lighting would affect the very tops of the plant (closest to the light).
@Caligurl Yikes, thanks! If you’re right, I had better figure that out fast I guess, eek. Maybe I needed more worm poop in my soil. I’m not sure what to add for nitrogen or if it’s too late. Eep…
@Caligurl@Covertgrower Thanks, guys. Well, turns out how they say most nutrient deficiencies are due to pH issues at the root? I got a good pH pen, and it turns out I have been pH-ing too high while worrying I was pH-ing too low. I was using the pH test strips, but I guess they are not accurate enough. this pen seems REALLY accurate… $60 instead of the cheap ones. No middle ground with me… either the strips that I guess didn’t work or something expensive.
Anyway, I figure if I water at 6.5 pH, it will dilute whatever is concentrated at the root mass and eventually balance out… Hope it is not too little too late. This is probably why I got thrips, too. Sorry, plants!
Anything else I can do? I use supersoil so did not flush. Tried to get a little runoff to measure pH, but they must have been really dry. I’ll add a little more water and see if I can get some runoff to test. I am amazed how good they look considering I’ve been watering wrong their entire lives.
I would still give them like a mini blush but fallow up with 12 strength. Do a soil slurry test (you can google how to dott) to measure ph at the root level
They are looking better already…! I am really amazed they’ve been doing so well, considering the pH was above 7. Jeez. I wonder when I’ll run out of stupid mistakes to make. I have made almost all of them!
I’d rather look at them as necessary mistakes! This is very much a hands-on education. Experiencing these set backs, taking note of them, and NOT repeating them is one of the biggest takeaways I have learned from my time on this forum!
I will continue to make mistakes and learn form them for the next grow. Amazing how much more relaxed I feel for this current grow, and it’s only the second time ever to grow anything! Now the stress comes form trying new techniques demonstrated by others.
Sorry, plants! 
This is very much a hands-on education. Experiencing these set backs, taking note of them, and NOT repeating them is one of the biggest takeaways I have learned from my time on this forum!