Ok fellow growers how is everyone doing, i need some really good advice. I plan on growing some plants in coco, perlite, and wormcastings. The pH of my tap is 7.7, i use pH down to lower it to 6.5 when i water and also when i feed. I have read that ph down is not good to use with dolomite lime because it we throw things off and cause all types of problems. My question is this, if i use about 1tlb of lime per gallon with the 7.7 tap water will the lime buffer the high ph of 7.7 down to about 7.0??
What should i do because one second i read "use dolomite lime and everything will be fine", then the next second i read "dolomite lime mixed with ph down will cause eruptions in the medium"....plez help me out here....any response will be really appreciated..thx.
--Jay

instead of spending all this money on ph changers ..mabee a quick run to the store for some purified water would do the trick.

Dolomite lime is an inert, meaning it doesnt react, buffer system. You would not want to use the soil system that you are talking about right now, bc frankly you dont want drainage that good. You will need a medium, like topsoil, for the roots to grow into and you need vermiculite to retain at least some of the water youre feeding the plants. Remember you are not growing poppies, roots need to be kept damp.

So what you need to do is get yoru hands on some topsoil and some vermiculite. Mix in 1 part vermiculite for every 1 parts perlite with 2 parts topsoil and add the specified dolomite lime. Dolomite lime is use to FIX ph problems, while perlite is used to avoid ph problems in the first place (by giving drainage. The vermiculite is used so that the soil doesnt all clump together and stays loose enough for the plants to have strong root growth.


NOW, YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE ME REP+. PRESS THE SCALE BUTTON TO THE RIGHT OF THE POST NUMBER SIGN. I SPENT LIKE 15 MINUTES WRITING THIS BEFORE I REALIZED ALL THE TIME I SPENT. THANKYOU.


Moxtox

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You need to figure out what it is. Coco doesn't need any additives at all, has excellent water retention, can't be overwatered like soil can, and you won't need worm shit, just good nutes. VV

I know you are very up on growing V.V so i will go with your advice ,although to late this time as i did mix with hydroton ,a little bit of blood &bone down near the bottom and a wee bit of worm castings ,but once the roots grow down i have a big res underneath and just fill with good nutes and a couple of air stones and they seem to like it.
i do know this past two grows one inside and one out the better the coir the better the results ,as i used a nutrefield brand which i think is like canna ,very good shit , but the plants are looking good , if i ever find out to put pictures on nere i will when they get a bit bigger.
but you always give good advice ,regards blackout

And how do you -rep?
Listen to VV as I saw his advice. But the worm castings are a great amendment. Adds nice micros and feed new plants for a few weeks. Liquid Karma works very well with mixes like this for veg. I am assuming you are growing organic?

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