PH signs?

[Big_House26]

What are some signs a plant is to basic/acidic..?

[Tommygirl]

Nutrient deficientcies due to them being locked out because of ph imbalance. It's best to just get a ph meter so you're not guessing.

[Big_House26]

Thanks, I've just got a TDS Pen. I'll be pick'n up a PH Pen later tanight. It'll be nice not compare'n colors for a change...Whats a good PH again..?

[stinkyattic]

You want 6.8 soil 5.8 hydro or thereabouts.

Signs pH is off:
Unexplained deficiency symptoms on a plant you KNOW is getting properly fed.
Unexplained burns on a plant you aren't really feeding aggressively.
LEaves twisted or stunted.
Plant croaks.

[Big_House26]

My PPM's in the low 200s, and I've got all those symptoms. So Im guessing it's a PH problem. Once I get my pen tonight should I flush with PHed water, then correctly refeed? Or should I just correct my next feeding?

[stinkyattic]

...sorry, are you in dirt, I assume? I've never paid a bit of attention to PPMs.
But flushing with pHd water and correctly feeding after is the right way to get back on track.
When you do your 1st flush, just use plain distilled bottled water and test the pF of the RUNOFF after it goes through the pot... then you will be sure that you DID in fact have a problem.

[Big_House26]

Yes, just what I needed ta know! Yea, I'm using a Sunshine mix along with a bat guano/fish emulsion tea...

[stinkyattic]

How old are the plants in question? Bat guano can be pretty 'hot' and burn young'uns.

[Big_House26]

4 weeks...yea that's what I've heard, hence tha TDS Pen. I'm following 1/2 strength, of the sun leaves guano chart. They seem stunted in comparison ta photos I've seen of tha same age. To potent ya think, besides a possible PH problem?

[stinkyattic]

Got me there. Check the pH 1st and work from that point.

[Big_House26]

Alright, thanks!

[Big_House26]

Soil PH was 7.5, I'm guess'n that was the problem I was have'n...

[Abattoir Dream]

Plant croaks

what? like a frog or something? what does croak mean?

[Big_House26]

Croak is slang for die'n...

[Tommygirl]

Hey, man. I'm pretty sure that guano and fish emulsion isn't going to register on your TDS correctly cuz they're organic. Not enough metalic salts to give an accurate reading.

[Big_House26]

Huh, didn't know that. Im starting to realize PH is more important...

[Shovelhandle]

My ph is 5.8-6 in soil. Gardening I'd use lime to sweeten it up. What would be recommended for pot?

thank you

Shov

[stinkyattic]

6.8 in soil but you can almost get away with starting as high as 7 if you are using chemical ferts because they tend to drop the pH over time.

But did you know that the pH of your average leaf litter humus compost is naturally buffered in the range that the Shrek likes?

That's the primary reason I chose it as the base for my soil mix.

[Shovelhandle]

what is shrek? <G>

So my soil is slighlty acidic, so it will continue to get more so? And should I try and sweeten it up, or is this Ph acceptable?

Shov