Ph levels?????

[Farmer Rich]

Being a first time grower, I'm still a little confused on what the Ph should be. My water, which comes from a well, is on the alkaline side with a Ph of 7.6 out of the tap. I've been adjusting down to a neutral 7.0. My question is, is this correct, or should I be going to a slightly acidic Ph, somewhere below 7.0??

Thanks!!

Farmer Rich

[PharmaCan]

What is your grow medium? (It makes a difference.)

PC:smokin:

[Farmer Rich]

It's called Pro Earth, 100% Canadian sphagnum moss with perlite. Pick it up at the local indoor gardening shop.

[jon.hatcher]

In the past, growing in vermiculite was my thing. I was the only one I knew who did it, but I got fantastic results. The Ph of the vermiculite I was using was actually a little acidic when I tested an aqueous mix (Ph 6.7). But my water, was basic at a level of 7.5.
I got the feeling when i mixed the two, I was going to have a basic solution. I had to adjust my solution and it came out around 7.3. It was closest to the recommended, but it was basic enough that my female to male ratios were 3 to 1!

You really have to watch the ph if you are growing on the basic side. Its tough, but doable and you have way more females. And once they show traits, you can back the ph down to a reasonable level.

[Farmer Rich]

I'm all about a better female : male ratio!! I have 9 kids in the box now, 4 are 3 weeks from seed, 5 are 2 weeks. I'd love to end up with 6 females, which would be about the right capacity for my grow box. As far as watching the Ph, I'm anal like the day is long about checking temps/relative humidity/Ph. I'm balancing all water to 7.0 and letting it sit for at least a day before using. I'm also keeping any eye on the Ph of the medium using a quick test meter that is supposed to measure - Light, moisture, NPK and Ph. 7.0 water measures at about 6.8 in the medium using the "magic test meter."

Am I on the right track here?

Thanks! Farmer Rich

[cwesto]

I would sugest u to aim for 6.5. Remember that over time Ph goes up naturally, so u may want to adjust ur water to around 6. This is what i use and my water is pretty hard like urs. :thumbsup: good luck

[BlueBear]

6.5 sounds like a good balance. with the male to female results , it has already been established with in the first two to three weeks within the plants RNA. Cool temps in the mid 60's along with some advance additives can higher the female to male success rate.
Hope this helps
Adieu

[PharmaCan]

6.5 sounds like a good balance. with the male to female results , it has already been established with in the first two to three weeks within the plants RNA. Cool temps in the mid 60's along with some advance additives can higher the female to male success rate.
Hope this helps
Adieu

Hey Bear - Good to see you back on the forum again! :thumbsup:

PC :smokin:

[BlueBear]

I hope to be around a little more now.
Thanks
Adieu

[Farmer Rich]

Thanks for the replies to my question! I'll be adjusting to 6.5 and see how it goes.

:thumbsup:

Farmer Rich