i was on the phone with the plant store asking about soil Ph of their special mix and it occurs to me that if they asked what i was growing i would have to insist tomatoes and hang up.

so maybe someone with some knowledge could refer me to a plant that is difficult and worthwhile to grow, that requires ph monitoring,, maybe something exotic?
or something with similar requirements as pot, something i could defer to if ever in a difficult situation? an alibi plant?

i need to explain why i went from having barely any interest in plants, to avid gardener with an indoor greenhouse in the course of a year.

Who is that you feel the need to explain this to? How would they know you have an indoor greenhouse just by talking to you on the phone. Please dont take this wrong, but if you are this paranoid maybe growing isnt for you. I'm not saying it is wrong to be cautious and to cover your ass, but sometimes if you act too careful and evasive you might as well wear a sign around your neck saying I AM GUILY OF SOMETHING!!! And always answer a question with another question. For example: your soil PH question. If they asked you what you are growing, ask them if the PH changes with the type of plant grown. Is the PH different when you plant tomatos than it is when you plant peppers? This will usually get the point across that it is none of their business and they should just answer the damn question. Good luck and lets overgrow Big Bro.

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Keep your grow to youself, or everyone will get to see it on the news.

Just say you're growing tomatoes.

Totally agree with ya there. There actually one of the closely related plants to pot. And when ever i go to my local hydro shop they people at the counter Always refer to my plant's as tomatoes. " ok, your not going to want to feed you Tomatoes for the first month with this soil as it will burn your Tomatoes". I dont even tell them what kinda plants im growing we just always use the word tomatoes regardless of the situation!

ok heres your problem.

dont think of weed, you know what ph you need soil needs too be so a littl;e research on plants requiring this range of ph will answer your question.

african violets etc etc etc google can be your friend.

indoor greenhouse, most will be using these for expensive delicate plants, show flowers etc etc.

sounds crazy your aiming too grow one giant tomato, you have done internet searches and plant would require bleh bleh ph soil for best results. ifthey ask more, you remove all trelles bar one and the plant puts all energy into this one trellis of fruit.

If you want to be a smartass you could tell them you're growing Nightshade because you don't like the new neighbours. It's a relative of the tomato plant.