Hi, I live in mid-western Europe, very rainy weather and cold temperatures with moderately hot summers (24-30°C). I didn’t realise my tapwater was very hard and with a pH of 7.68. I recently potted a few of the favorites in all-mix soil thinking I wouldn’t have to bother with liquid fertiliser, but most of them went into what I think was nutrient lockout. I potted those favorite ones in normal fine potting soil like the picture below. I also started watering with rain water or demineralised water and reducing the pH to 6.5 (I measured the rainwater pH to be 6.6). A couple of them like the Albo Monstera are showing signs of recovery but the others aren’t. I already cut or threw away a few, much to my chagrin. I also put them under a 150W LED light at 70% power. At the monstera height they’re getting around 2000/3000 lux (200/300 FC). The ambient temperature is around 19-24°C and they’re showing very slow growth compared to other indoor plants I see through the windows of my neighbourhood which are exploding with growth. Is it just they need some recovery time, or maybe the LED light is too direct on the leaves, or maybe just too much power? I’d really appreciate some help, I’ve always done research on my own and solved my own issues, but I’d like to reach out to more experienced growers to have their take on this. If you could also teach me a basic and foolproof method to get rid of basic pests like aphids I would very much appreciate since I’ve never been able to deal with them properly and they’ve always killed my plants. I’m starting a tiny vegetable garden as well and I just know them aphids are gonna be eating away at my plants, so I’d like to be ready for when it happens. I tried an organic pesticide for cannabis called canna-cure, didn’t do much. Thank you in advance and sorry for the long text!
by _Escobar_99
1 Comment
Id say you are doing very well, your plants look gorgeous.
I think your soil mix could use a bit more air. Ive used perlite, bark and coco chunks with great success. Am using coco chunks at the moment because they are cheap and accessible im coastal Kenya where i currently live.
Tap water here is ph of 8.4, sometimes up to 8.6. I ph down to around 6 using either vinegar, lemon juice, phosphoric acid or liquid from homemade sauerkraut, depending on whats closest while i mix nutrient solution, usually with fish emulsion or algae fertilzers.
Almost all my plants live outside so the war with pests (and the goddamn ants that protect them) is not one that will end soon. Bi monthly sprinkle of systemic pesticide granules in every pot. Monthly general spray. Neem oil and soap showers, especially to the backs of leaves.
Ive never been without pests so its just part of my routine. Same story for the vegetable garden, organic soap and neem are my go to, as well as diatomacious earth for the bloody ants. Mother nature might not want you to grow certain things, for me its zucchini. Focus on what works, ive wasted way too much time trying and failing while other things work super well.