PH question

[GratefulDawg]

Alright I was finally able to obtain a digital ph meter, and as I suspected, my ph is quite low and I believe it to be the root of my other problems. This is my first grow, and I am using Fox Farm's Happy Frog soil (they were out of ocean blend or whatever). I ph'd my water to be at 6.5, then I flushed out my plants pretty good. I then tested the runoff and it came out 5.5. Does that mean my soil is 5.5, or is this the average of my soil and the water making my soil ph 4.5? How can I raise the ph of my soil without stressing the plants out too much? I believe I read before that lime helps raise ph? I feel like before I had the ph pen I was reading about ph everyday, then I get one and i cant seem to find the answer.......

Thanks a bunch guys (and gals)!

GratefulDawg Reviewed by GratefulDawg on 05-13-2007. PH question Alright I was finally able to obtain a digital ph meter, and as I suspected, my ph is quite low and I believe it to be the root of my other problems. This is my first grow, and I am using Fox Farm's Happy Frog soil (they were out of ocean blend or whatever). I ph'd my water to be at 6.5, then I flushed out my plants pretty good. I then tested the runoff and it came out 5.5. Does that mean my soil is 5.5, or is this the average of my soil and the water making my soil ph 4.5? How can I raise Rating: 5

[18toki]

It's little bit tricky.. I think..
When my plant is at seedling stage, I only use bottled water(about 7.0) and they grew fast and healthy.
I know that 6.5 is ideal.. but it depends.. I now understand that 7.0 ~ 7.5 ph'd water is right for my soil which is ph balanced and premixed with stuff..
Good luck~

[18toki]

Here is what I would do..
after transplanting, water with 7.0 or 7.5 ph'd water and check runoff.. Write down ph'd number and runoff number.
2 weeks later check runoff again. if runoff is lower than 6.0, adjust ph and water on next watering. write down numbers..
And then every 2 weeks later check again.. adjust ph and write down numbers..
and observe your plants..
When you have a list of numbers, you know when to change ph..
If this sounds so complicated and silly.. Just water with 7.0 ph'd water..

[GratefulDawg]

Thanks a bunch! What I did was I got some lime, and I added a VERY tiny amount to the water. Like a whole lot less than is recommended on the bag. I checked the runoff, and it was a perfect 6.8. However, I only treated one small and weak plant, and I am going to observe it before I rush and ruin all my plants at once ha. Again, thanks a bunch.

I think I'll go smoke one and stop looking at this damn ph meter and fiddling around. :rastasmoke:

[18toki]

Good job~
Let me know how it works.. I thought about using Dolomite Lime when I was transplanting but I didn't bother with that.. I know lime raises the soil ph..
I found out that it also works as PH stabilizer. I'll definitely try this next time.
How did you apply lime?

[GratefulDawg]

Well you are apparently supposed to mix it in with the soil, and it takes a few months to fully neutralize and interact with the soil (the larger the pieces the longer this takes). I got the one that was called hydrated lime, and its like a powder, so its faster acting. I just mixed a TINY TINY bit in with some water, and it brought the ph up quite a bit. I watered it yesterday with this, then flushed with 6.8 water, and it came out in the low 6's, which is way better than when it was coming out low 5's. I checked it today, and the one that i did it too looks much happier than it did before, and I am about to do it to a few more. Luckily, it's time to transplant anyway, so I'm gonna mess with the soil before the plants go into it :thumbsup:

Hope this helped, peace!

[18toki]

I was a little bit confused because I thought you should mix lime with the soil..
And you said you have added lime to the water.. Now I got you..
It's hydrated lime.. You should think about not using it..
I know it will be your quick solution to your current ph problem but you should just ph'd water little bit higher..
I read a thread on this issue and using hydrated lime is not recommended because it could burn your plant if you are not cautious.. I know this could be a personal opinion but.. I want you to take the safe road..
Anyway, I hope that it works out for you~
I went out and bought 2 boxes of dolomite lime.. no more f****** ph problems.. I say~ :thumbsup: