PH

[asintx]

Sorry to ask here, but I have tried searching for 'ph' and get no hits. Don't know what I'm doing wrong...

Just a quick question. What PH should your water be prior to using it? I've heard anything from 6 to 7, so I'm confused.

I am using soil, not hydro.

Thanks,

asintx Reviewed by asintx on 04-20-2006. PH Sorry to ask here, but I have tried searching for 'ph' and get no hits. Don't know what I'm doing wrong... Just a quick question. What PH should your water be prior to using it? I've heard anything from 6 to 7, so I'm confused. I am using soil, not hydro. Thanks, Rating: 5

[postmandave]

Well 6.5 is what i have mine at but others differ in opinion.The Postman.

[britewire]

I always use 6 with normal EC values and 6.5 using high EC values. That's because when you use a EC of say 2.4 the soil uses it's chalk asa EC buffer aswell so it doesn't have much room left (chemicaly speaking) for selfregulation of the soil's acidity.

When I'm growing hydro I'm using a ph of 5.6 in veg and 5.8 whiles blossoming.

[Gen]

Don't worry about the ph of your water if you're doing a soil grow.

[Swizzy89304]

Don't worry about the ph of your water if you're doing a soil grow.

You should ALWAYS worry about the pH of water and soil. If you use tap water, check the pH of it. 'Soft water' with a low mineral content tends to be more acidic, and 'hard water' with a high mineral content tends to be more alkaline. If you live in a 'hard water' are (like me) then you should always try and either lower the pH with a few drops of lemon juice, as the soil will become more acidic and bacteria prefers areas with a high level of alkaline - making a healthier plant! By the way, add the lemon juice after the water has sat for 24 hours (makes the chlorine evaporate) as the pH will only be lowered for around 8 hours.
The way I water my plants is to fill three 2-litre bottles up with rainwater, adding ferts to two of them. I use up a ferted bottle, then the non-ferted, then the last ferted one. When they need watering again, I use tapwater that has 'sat' in a cool, dark place for 24 hours, then I add a half-dose of ferts and water with that to bring the pH level up. Making the pH fluctuate slightly allows the plant to absorb all the nutrients that are in the soil, thus reducing the buildup of salts - making a healthier plant! It also means you can flush the soil that little bit later, so that the plant will have time to take up more nutrients, meaning slightly bigger and more potent buds.

Oh, and to answer youre initial question - cannabis prefers soil with a pH of 6.3, although like I said earlier, let it fluctuate slightly from time to time so it can absorb all essential elements in the soil and water.

[turtle420]

There's a kick-ass chart in the FAQ section... gives the proper pH for NPK values, both for soil and hydro. Check it out homie!

[Garden Knowm]

Don't worry about the ph of your water if you're doing a soil grow.

LOL...

6.8 is a great number to shoot for. It is actually the best number!
Soil is forgiving and as long as your soil has a PH of 6.8, you should be ok....

But for CRYING out loud... no this.....

Mastering PH is the corner stone of being a DECENT gardner

iloveyou

[Swizzy89304]

Ah GK, cheers. I always thought that cannabis preferred a pH of around 6.3? Would the .5 difference between the two actually have any impact on the plant?