PH Question

[imchucky666]

I'm a newbie (really new to this), and my 3 plants are doing fairly well, although not growing quite as quickly as I would like LOL, but just out of curiosity, I was at a friend's house the other day, and borrowed his test kit for his pool water.
When I test my tap water, it shows up in the 7.8 range.
I have heard of people using regular white vinegar to lower the PH.
Should I go ahead and do some vinegar or what?
The only problem I've had to date is the largest plant was getting rust spots on some of the larger older leaves, but with a little foliar feeding with epsom salt solution (and I just tried a little eggshell on top of the soil), seems to be cured.
I have plenty of sun, although pretty humid, using MG soil, MG all purpose fert, and they are about 16 weeks old.
Any suggestions would be helpful! Thanks!

imchucky666 Reviewed by imchucky666 on 08-09-2012. PH Question I'm a newbie (really new to this), and my 3 plants are doing fairly well, although not growing quite as quickly as I would like LOL, but just out of curiosity, I was at a friend's house the other day, and borrowed his test kit for his pool water. When I test my tap water, it shows up in the 7.8 range. I have heard of people using regular white vinegar to lower the PH. Should I go ahead and do some vinegar or what? The only problem I've had to date is the largest plant was getting rust Rating: 5

[Leonardo de Garden]

Hydroponic or soil? pH is much more important to a chemical hydroponic garden than an organic soil one. In any event, your tap water is slightly basic (over 7), and your plants like it slightly acidic (6.2-6.5 ish). To make your tap water more acidic, add an acid (lemon juice, vinegar, or any of several acids), or a "pH Down" product, which is a refined acid of some sort.

[imchucky666]

Miracle Grow soil and ferts.
Pretty much, my question was is the high PH worth bothering with, and chance hurting my plants, or would it be ok. to just leave it since they don't seem to mind yet.
Thanks

[Leonardo de Garden]

You are likely okay, but wouldn't hurt to bring it down to neutral (7) first.

[imchucky666]

You are likely okay, but wouldn't hurt to bring it down to neutral (7) first.

Great! I'll do the vinegar thing (carefully LOL) next time I water.
Thanks!

[Mainely Growing Weed]

...The only problem I've had to date is the largest plant was getting rust spots on some of the larger older leaves, ... and they are about 16 weeks old.
Any suggestions would be helpful! Thanks!

Sorry but if those plants are 16 weeks old rust spots on the leaves are not your only problem ... They are way too small.

[imchucky666]

Sorry but if those plants are 16 weeks old rust spots on the leaves are not your only problem ... They are way too small.

OK., Here's the scoop.
I started them from seed, flour. tube grow light, about 5' above them on maybe 8/16, not knowing any better.
When they started to get about a foot tall, maybe 10 weeks, I brought them outside-that is when I found this forum and started reading and learning.
I now know I missed out on a lot of potential growth the first 10 weeks, but at this point, I just want to make the best of what I have.
Hence, any suggestions would be helpful!

thanks

[Leonardo de Garden]

And here is the real scoop, there isn't a one of us that was born knowing all this stuff, as long as you are learning and getting better, you're headed in the right direction.

[imchucky666]

Thanks!