NOT checking PH

[WashougalWonder]

GOTCHA!

For many years I never bothered to check my PH. When I moved to Washington, almost 10 years ago now, every winter I had issues once winter hit. Well here winter means a lot of rain, 20 plus inches. Lots of trees to which provide dead acidic leaves to drain into the ground. Now, mind you this country can dry out faster than anyplace I have ever lived, so the water moves very quickly into the water table.

A week ago the heavy rains started. Some winters I even tried rain water...Every winter I got browing, edges yellowing, uneven growth. Sometimes my whole garden would get sick all at once.

I started checking my PH regularly. Overnight the tap water ph will go from 7.5 to 4.0-5.0!!!!!!

Happened yesterday again.

So folks....you have no control over stuff like that, follow your PH so you notice if something goes wrong. I find it amazing that a city water supply can vary so greatly, so quickly.

WashougalWonder Reviewed by WashougalWonder on 11-04-2010. NOT checking PH GOTCHA! For many years I never bothered to check my PH. When I moved to Washington, almost 10 years ago now, every winter I had issues once winter hit. Well here winter means a lot of rain, 20 plus inches. Lots of trees to which provide dead acidic leaves to drain into the ground. Now, mind you this country can dry out faster than anyplace I have ever lived, so the water moves very quickly into the water table. A week ago the heavy rains started. Some winters I even tried rain Rating: 5

[Farmer Rich]

I just happen to have some fresh water that I have to get ready today. I'll check and see if I see the same issue. I'm in Pierce...

Peace,

Farmer Rich

[MimbresValley]

I just posted a really interesting article over in my thread on PH, if you get a chance stop by and check it out.
http://boards.cannabis.com/hydroponi...ml#post2154473

[Farmer Rich]

Checked locally today and my pH/ppm is normal for my water company, ~7.5/120

The last time I thought my pH was going crazy, it turned out to be the pH probe in my meter going bad. It got very slow to calibrate and eventually stopped calibrating at all. I use a Hanna meter, so replacement was fairly simple..

I'm not sure the fall runoff would significantly affect it, unless possibly on a well. Even then, it's a long way to source.. when I used well water (Western Washington), it was also consistent year round.

Peace,

Farmer Rich

[WashougalWonder]

7.0 yesterday.

I wonder if this occurs when they add something to the water? But I am RO water so that makes no sense.

(drop test)

Regardless shows an awesome reason to check every drop of water's ph

[GetThisOrDie]

Im in northern virginia and I have similar things happen to my tap water. It seems like on hot days the ph is higher and on cold days it gets lower.. Have no idea what is causing it but would be nice to know.

Somedays it will go from 6.9-7.2 to 8.5-9.0

Silly water company...

[jtingler]

checking PH made a huge improvement in my grow.
I've grown plants before and never checked, but they are way healthier now and I recommend every one buy a PH checker and use it.

[bobjob4u]

was pondering this post and i do also agree. If your using a fresh water spring for water. I understand falling folage can cause a major fluxuation in ph. Would water that runs through a limestone rock base be more stable from the trace amounts of lime that the water from flowing through?Or is the (lime) in limestone not the type that is used to control ph. Cause when i used water from a fresh water source that flowed through a limestone based gorge or hollow. Always seem to be very stable no matter the time of year. just a theory or maybe just lucky with ph.....:stoned: