pH water & pH soil?

[shiloh]

okay here is my questions. im putting my baby by the river but it is difficult task to get the water from the river so i dug a hole by my plant for water supply. but the water i got is not clear - dark like the pond water. how do i pH it? do i have to pH the soil too? how? the soil i planted is dark and moist, is this any good soil?

what is the different between fertilizer and nutrients?

thanks for your help from NEWBIES

shiloh Reviewed by shiloh on 04-10-2007. pH water & pH soil? okay here is my questions. im putting my baby by the river but it is difficult task to get the water from the river so i dug a hole by my plant for water supply. but the water i got is not clear - dark like the pond water. how do i pH it? do i have to pH the soil too? how? the soil i planted is dark and moist, is this any good soil? what is the different between fertilizer and nutrients? thanks for your help from NEWBIES Rating: 5

[unclebob]

Get a batt type PH meter at any garden store for like about $15 US. Or get a powder capsule mix type kit for like $5-$7.

Use lime to raise soil PH (often needed)
Use sulpher to lower it (rarely needed).

[divestoned]

in outdoor gorilla style grow's ph and nutrients are pretty much unnecissary...just sit back an wait.

Dive:stoned:

[killacheeba]

disagree divestoned,

yes, outdoors many things take care of themselves, but if you want to grow a nice crop, take some time to make a good set up, after the set up, then everything takes care of itself.

good set up = good harvest

[unclebob]

"in outdoor gorilla style grow's ph and nutrients are pretty much unnecissary...just sit back an wait".

I agree with the above statement for the most part, but I would add this - you will get the very best results if you prep the spots real good and in some cases that includes adjusting the PH of the soil. Usually in acidic soil areas you will be adding lime to raise it. Doing so will give you better results. As far as nutes go, just some cheap timed release or slow release fert is all you need. No need outdoors for anything special like guanos, teas, worm castings, special micro nutes etc. Just any good quality compost mixed in like you would use to grow any other plant, flower or vegetable.

[shiloh]

when you mentioned use "lime" to raise the soil ph level? do you mean lemon lime? i have pH battery meter made by Hanna - i think its made to test the water ph, will this device work for testing soil?

model #: HI98127

[unclebob]

By lime I mean gardening lime. It comes in three forms. Hydrated or pulverized powder type lime acts the fastest to raise PH. Dolimite type lime works a bit slower but lasts longer and is easier to spread over a large area with a spreader. It also has other nutrients. Pelletized lime is in between and is basicly hydrated type lime formed into pellets. For this purpose I suggest the pulverized powder type for quickest results. Just rake it lighlty into the top 1-2 inches. If it's like PH 6.5 or lower add about 1 lb (2 cups) to a 3X6 area. If its like below 6.0 or lower, add 2 lbs for a 3X6. These measurements are just rough estimates and your soil conditions may require different amounts. Test it again in 6 weeks and add more if needed. I am not sure about the meter you mention, but get a gardening type PH meter or kit at a garden store to test your soil. Don't worry about testing the river water. It is unlikely that it would be so high or so low as to adversly affect your plan't growth if you water with it. .

[shiloh]

thank you for your help - is it too late to raise or lower the soil ph now? If necessary can I raise or lower the ph of the soil and then transplant my little girls into the soil at the same time?

[unclebob]

No worries man,
It would have been more effective to adjust the PH a few months ago. The very best bet is to prep your spots in the fall for next spring. But you can still do it now and get a good result. MJ is very hardy and withstands a wide range of conditions. Just check the PH and if it's low, add the lime when you plant. Check it again in 5-6 weeks and add more if its still low. Even if you plant it in real acidic low PH dirt it will still grow. But making a best effort to get it closer to 6.5-7.0 will give you a better grow. Dont forget to prep the spot thouroughly by turning over the dirt several times down to 10 inches or more. Dig up at least a 2X2 area for each plant. Add some compost at least 10 quatrts for each 2X2 area. Add TR ferts, and water crystals for best results.

good luck