by Jorge Cervantes
Misdiagnosed Disorders
Many indoor garden problems are misdiagnosed as lack or excess of fertilizer. Often, disease and insects cause such problems. Often times, problems are caused by an imbalanced growing medium or water pH. Keep the pH from 5.5-6.5, in hydroponics, and 6-6.5 in soil gardens to allow nutrients to be chemically available.
Temperature and humidity also influence growth. Keep them in the range of 70-75F day and about 65-70F night and keep humidity 55-65 percent vegetative room and 50 percent flowering room.
Excess sodium (more than 50 ppm) in the water supply restricts water and nutrients from being absorbed by the roots.
Do not confuse nutrient deficiencies or toxicities with insect and disease damage or poor cultural practices.
Avoid most common ailments by keeping temperature, humidity, and light at the proper levels. Use clean water, the proper complete nutrient solution, maintain EC and pH at the correct proportions, and change and flush the system with fresh nutrient solution every week if necessary.