First I have a fascinating feeling that your friend will never make this same mistake again. So you may want to ease up a little

Second...I could be completely wrong but isn't it better that they were a few hours in soil rather than hydro with a crappy ph? Like a slower absorption rate or something? I had some hydro plants that went overnight with a really low ph (like 3.8 or something) and they came back fine with some good nursing care. Good luck!