Need advice:Trying to adjust SOIL PH level

[POHNNY]

Soil Ph level at 7-7.5 tested.I know that's high for soil. Using 3 gallon pots, Into 3rd week of grow and leaves turning yellow. Which is what told me to check PH.Anyhow added 2 tps. of Sulfur granuals (as per package directions) to each pot, mixing in to soil. Can anyone PLEASE tell me how long it will take to see results.

[Rusty Trichome]

Couple of questions...
How are you testing the soil ph, and what specific soil are you using?
What's your tapwater ph, and do you adjust it before use? If so, with what?
Why sulfur? Those little pucks of sulfur can last quite a while, can burn the roots, and are quite toxic if overused. (speaking from personal experience)

Hopefully all will be fine, but perhaps next time...if need be...you'll ask here before making any drastic changes. A simple adjustment of water ph might have more to the plant's liking.

Rusty's General Rule of Thumb...nothing good happens overnight, but bad shit happens rather quickly. Keep an eye on 'em and make sure they aren't taking a dive on ya. Your answers to the above questions will determine the next steps you'll have to take, so try and reply asap.

[POHNNY]

PH Testing was done twice using 2 different methods. METHOD 1. Using Probe registered 7.5-to almost 8 on meter. METHOD 2: Test tube type tester: add soil to first line, dump in mixture from supplied capsule, add water to 4th line, put cap on test tube, shake mixture to mix , let settle and compare color in tube to chart. Same results Green color matching colors on chart between 7.0 and 8.0. Tapwater PH. about 6.5. Used sulfur granuals after reading post on here. ??? I guess patience is a virtue. Hey but any more advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks again Rusty.

[Rusty Trichome]

Am still curious what soil you're using. 7.5 ph is pretty high for a potting mix. Are you using a cactus mix...or mixing your own...?

[massbud]

u didnt have to purchase the sulfur. i was @ one point going to do the same thing cause my PH was @ 8. if u dilute vinegar u can use that to lower ur PH ive used it my self. jst use your PH tester while ur using it.. using too much could harm the plant you gotta use the right amount and most of the time its a very small amount.

[POHNNY]

Thanks massbud, but I've already mixed in the sulfur granuals as I stated. Anyhow I have them in 3 gallon pots, so based on your experience with using diluted vinegar... what was you approx water to vinegar ratio that you called a small amount? Thanks again to all, this is no doubt going to help me now and in the future.

[Rusty Trichome]

As a temporary solution, vinegar is fine. But from what I understand, ph will rise back up after a few hours. Not the optimal solution. I've been using GH's phDown (phosphoric acid) for years though. 1 teaspoon in a 5 gallon bucket brings 7.9 ph water down to 6.8ish. One gallon of the stuff lasts me a couple of years.

[massbud]

rusty is right PH down is way better but when you cant wait or cant find it ( waiting for mine in da mail ) till then im using vinegar and it worked fine. i took a cap size full of vinegar and i had to dilute a couple times because the vinegar is so powerfull so make sure you pay attention to what level u have it on.

[attemptmischief]

this is a great conversation i just started and i under stand the impotance of ph and what chemicals burns are antisipating ph problems in the future where do i buy ph down i rather have it before i need it ,,im gonna post a pic of my lil gal soon i hope its a female i just keep starting over still picking lights out ..

[Rusty Trichome]

You can get the phDown online or at a hydro shop. But test your water to verify you'll need the phDown, first. If your water is acidic already, you might need phUp. Don't purchase what you don't need. :thumbsup:

[POHNNY]

Well back with some results, for whatever it's worth: After some research and advice from the viewers, I added 1 1/2ml. of white distilled vinegar to 1/2 gallon of tap water with a 6.7Ph reading, mixed thoroughly and let sit over night. Added about 4 oz. to each plant the next day after not watering for about 2 days. Next watering was in 3 days with the same amount and mixture ; Note: 3 week old plants in 3 gallon pots in soil. Checked the girls yesterday after last watering about a day ago. and .... HOLY MACARONIS... Makin ME HAPPY .. It's workin for me. So I'm going onto the 4th week of Veg. and about 4" tall with about 3 sets of nodes maybe 4, don't really know if this is optimum for NorthernLights ?? but hey they seem to be happy and I'm happy so far so so far 'IT'S ALL GOOD". Don't ask for pics. I'm not a techy kind of dude.. To much pressure on myself to try and down/up load the stuff ,sorry I'm better at describing. I think the every 3 days of watering is also the trick... But hey it's all a fun filled journey...And 1st grow training session.

[POHNNY]

Hey Rusty, I have another question about this soil Ph thing. Being that I am playing around with this vinegar water Ph soil adjusting rigamaroll. Can I go and buy the FoxFarm soil everyone is tooting about and transplant in to this soil and be done with the Ph adjusting thingy at least to a point ? or am I asking for trouble? and if I can do this what should I be careful of. What's is your professional advice.

[Rusty Trichome]

If youo're not having success with the ammending, transplanting is an option. But only you know if you are able to pull this off. Kind of an advanced thing, but I know the frustration of fighting soil ph. Usually I'm a "fight it out and learn from it" supporter, but bad soil ph is a problem worth correcting if possible.

Existing soil in a transplanted rootball will still be a tad stressful, but any time's the right time for good soil and proper ph. You'll have to gauge the risk/reward ratio and make your own call.
Still in veg now, right...? If so, I'd have no problem with gently 'massaging' a bit of the soil from existing semi-moist rootball. Perhaps the morning before the next day's watering, for instance. A dry rootball can snap-off large chunks of roots, and a wet rootball can be a bitch to keep together, and it's heavy. Don't be too aggressive and start tearing, folding, spindling or mutilating the roots, and don't snap the branches off. If quick, you can gauge ammount of soil you'll need in the bottom of the new pot (by using that rootball in your hand as a gauge) and fill the bottom of the pot to desired level. Don't let the roots sit in direct light and don't let them dry out. Once you get the right ammount of soil in the pot, (sticking with 3 gallon, or upsizing...?) transplant as normal. New soil all around it and some on top of the existing rootball. Not too much, just enough to give a bit of assistance to the old rootball. Water it in, fill voids and water once more. Good to go.
Let heal for a week or two before assaulting her with chemicals, additives, schedule changes...Let soil dry-out between waterings. If going with FFOF, likely won't need the nutrients till actively flowering 'em.
Also, you might want to try stuff like this on one plant at a time, and have tools ready before you operate. :thumbsup:

p.s. I don'u use Fox Farms soil, but I do use their nutrient trio. But I hear the FFOF is some good stuff.

[POHNNY]

Thanks again for the input and advice.. Thought it might work something like that. Still I'm a little apprehensive about the extreme transplant/soil change though, because for some odd reason they seen to be flourishing. Just started week 4 today. Even the runt is starting to catch up ?????. Must be the vinegar ? has to be, it's the only thing that is new. And Ph reading is still over 7 probably 7.5+. ( Using one of those $10.00,moisture/light /ph testers) yea, yea, I know invest in a decent pen tester. Just can't bring myself to plunk down the heavy $$$$,to find out what I already know. Well I guess it's all about the learning journey.

[BackWoodDrifter]

Dip stick testers be cheap and accurate as anythin else pilgrem and could have done well with lemon juice as well cost effective and works right by me. Good luck in all that yual do happy safe growin pilgrem.

BWD

[POHNNY]

See ya when the top water starts ta thaw

[attemptmischief]

ha ha i tested my tap water it was high im using apple cider to treat each gallon of water ...i was using lemmon juice but costly the apple cider is cheaper

[attemptmischief]

i got it out of the pool sup[ply section works great ,,..leom juice and apple cider 274423

[attemptmischief]

ur right the viagar is very strong i went from a cap full down to eye drops ,,

[drudown11]

hey quit spamming the site you dumb piece of shit!

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