With so many factors to take into consideration in general hydroponics growing, a lot can go wrong with any given hydroponic system. That’s why every hydroponic grower has to be very vigilant in observing their plants’ performance, so they can identify problems and take steps to correct them. Most problems arise from a lack of or too much water, humidity, temperature, or pH problems. Water
Plants that are underwatered in general hydroponics growing will start to grow more slowly. You will also notice “charring” on the tips of your leaves. Leaves located closer to the base of the plant will start to turn pale in color, turn yellow, and may even fall completely off.
Plants that are overwatered will start to experience root rot. This will often cause the plants to stop forming new leaves. Any new leaves that do form will often be much darker than the others, and the edges will turn brown and crack. Overwatering may also cause the formation of unwanted organic material, such as fungi.
Humidity – If your plants are receiving enough water while general hydroponics growing, they probably won’t suffer too greatly from a lack of humidity. However, in very low humidity conditions you may notice your youngest leaves having dry and rough edges, and your whole plant may even decrease in size. You may also notice your oldest leaves dying off entirely.
In an environment with excess humidity, you will probably see that your youngest leaves have small areas of yellow discoloration. Your stems may also start growing roots. It can also severely stunt the development of your buds.
Temperature – In a too cold environment, leaves will begin to curl and “cup”. Your youngest leaves may look very pale or even whitish. You may see a purple tint on the underside of your leaves. Even people who measure the temperature of their grow rooms may have a difficult time finding any extreme temperatures, even when their plants show some of these symptoms. This is because the temperature is usually taken in the middle of the day, when temperatures are at their highest. Make sure you take the temperature at multiple times throughout the day, including at night. If the temperature drops to fifty degrees Fahrenheit or less, you could have a serious problem.
While most plants are very accustomed to tropical conditions, it is entirely possible to expose your plants to excess heat. Too much heat can affect the development of your roots and causes your oldest leaves to quickly die. The best way to cool your grow room is to install a couple of auxiliary fans attached to a thermostat that activates them when the temperature rises to a certain point.
Ph – If your plants seem to be suffering from some sort of nutrient deficiency, but your nutrient solution appears to be well balanced and all other factors are accounted for, you are most likely suffering from a nutrient solution that is either too acidic or alkaline. Measure your pH level daily to make sure you don’t run into this problem. The ideal pH range for a nutrient solution is 5.6. This is more acidic than what is required for soil based plants, which usually thrive in a medium that has a pH of 6.3.
