Plant Troubleshooting Guide

 

Maintaining a thriving system requires careful attention to various factors. If your plants are experiencing issues, use this guide to identify and resolve common problems.
 

Wilting Plants

 

Possible Causes and Solutions
 

•  VPD (Vapor Pressure Deficit): Ensure your VPD is within the ideal range (0.8-1.2 kPa for most plants). Use a hygrometer to measure humidity and a thermometer for temperature. Adjust as needed.
   
• Water Flow: Check the pump and tubing to ensure water is flowing properly to all pods. Manually activate the pump through the Gardyn app to verify.
   
• Watering Schedule: Ensure your watering schedule is appropriate for your plant types. Adjust the schedule in the app if necessary. The Gardyn used a yCup which retains water between cycles. This can be a cause for concern when plants are developing as most plants do not like sitting in water. It also reduces the amount of air exchange and may cause some plants to develop "feeder" roots. These are not bad, but they do signal that your plant needs more oxygen. Reach out to us for personalized support if this is happening. 
   

• Nutrient Levels: Use high-quality nutrients like Veg+Bloom, VBX, and PHLO. These products provide a balanced nutrient supply essential for healthy plant growth.
   

• Pests: Inspect plants for signs of pests such as aphids, spider mites, or whiteflies. Use natural or chemical treatments to eliminate any infestations.
   
• Root Health: Check roots for signs of root rot or other issues. Healthy roots should be white and firm, not brown and mushy.

 

Yellowing Leaves

Possible Causes and Solutions:

 

• pH Levels: Check the pH of your nutrient solution. The ideal pH range for hydroponic plants is 5.5-6.5. Use a pH meter to measure and adjust accordingly. To adjust your pH down and condition your water, we recommend PHLO. It is not just a pH down formulation but a total water conditioner to aid your plants in receiving nutrients. 
  
  If your pH is too low, then we recommend Basik. Basik is a pH UP compound that does not add additional salts or other contaminates to your water like Baking Soda or most liquid pH UP products. 
   

• Nutrient Deficiency: Yellowing leaves can indicate a lack of essential nutrients. Ensure you're using Veg+Bloom, VBX, and PHLO to provide a comprehensive nutrient profile. Also see VPD and pH references.
   

• Overwatering: Ensure the roots are not waterlogged. Allow the root zone to dry out slightly between watering cycles. Again, we come back to the Gardyn's use of a yCup. Most plants do not like to sit in water. Reach out to us for more information on how you can change this. 
   
• Pests: Check for pests that might be feeding on your plants and causing yellowing leaves.
   

Browning Leaves

Possible Causes and Solutions:
 

• EC Levels: Measure the electrical conductivity (EC) of your nutrient solution. High EC levels can cause nutrient burn, leading to browning leaves. Aim for an EC range of 1.2-2.0 mS/cm. 
   

• Nutrient Imbalance: Ensure you're using balanced nutrients like Veg+Bloom, VBX, and PHLO. These products are formulated to provide optimal nutrient ratios. They're all available here and many are currently on sale
   

• Water Quality: Check the water quality to ensure it's free from contaminants. Use filtered water if necessary. Please review this guide on Water Preparation for more in-depth info. 
   
• Light Intensity: Browning leaves can result from plants being too close to the light source. Adjust the height of the lights to ensure they are not too close to the plants. Also refer to VPD, pH and EC levels.
   
• Pests: Inspect for pests that might be damaging the leaves.

 

Stunted Growth

Possible Causes and Solutions:

 

• VPD: Ensure your VPD is within the ideal range. Low VPD can reduce transpiration and nutrient uptake, leading to stunted growth.
   
• pH and EC Levels: Check and adjust pH and EC levels to ensure optimal nutrient availability.
   
• Light Intensity: Ensure your plants are receiving adequate light. Adjust the light height and duration if necessary.
   
• Nutrient Levels: Use high-quality nutrients like Veg+Bloom, VBX, and PHLO to ensure your plants receive all the essential nutrients for healthy growth.
   
• Poor Germination Methods: Stunted growth can result from poor germination techniques, such as adding nutrients while the plants are still sprouts. For proper germination methods, refer to our Seed Starting Guide
   
• Pests: Of course, check for pests that might be stunting plant growth.
   

By following this guide, you can identify and address common issues with your Gardyn plants, ensuring they thrive and produce healthy yields.