Aside from the pH how does this water profile look?

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Lou66

Well-Known Member
IndooorGardnerOhio said:
Do you think, that Considering my Medium is Peat, with an average pH of 3.0–4.0 that I will still run into a lot of issues with my water? Wouldnt 7.8pH water bring the pH of my soil up to a more normal range? I still plan to lower the pH of my water, but since peat is so acidic i was curious if maybe it would be less of a problem that it would be for someone whose water is say 6.5pH?
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You need to buffer the peat (e.g. with lime) to an acceptable pH before planting in it. Otherwise young plants will die.
Using your water is not feasable because in the beginning the water didn't "do" enough the medium is too acidic and no nutrients are absorbed. Later on, when the acidity of the peat is "consumed" the basicity of the water has no antagonist and it will be too basic for plants to thrive.

That is one of the reasons I prefer coco. Watering is simpler too as you can hardly overwater with that medium.
 
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IndooorGardnerOhio

Well-Known Member
Lou66 said:
You need to buffer the peat (e.g. with lime) to an acceptable pH before planting in it. Otherwise young plants will die.
Using your water is not feasable because in the beginning the water didn't "do" enough the medium is too acidic and no nutrients are absorbed. Later on, when the acidity of the peat is "consumed" the basicity of the water has no antagonist and it will be too basic for plants to thrive.

That is one of the reasons I prefer coco. Watering is simpler too as you can hardly overwater with that medium.
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So 7.8 pH tap water will not Buffer 3-4pH Peat? Even tho the water is high in calcium carbonate AKA Lime? Im curious how does adding lime to buffer work, but adding water high in lime does not? Sincere question, I dont get the difference?
 
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Lou66

Well-Known Member
IndooorGardnerOhio said:
So 7.8 pH tap water will not Buffer 3-4pH Peat? Even tho the water is high in calcium carbonate AKA Lime? Im curious how does adding lime to buffer work, but adding water high in lime does not? Sincere question, I dont get the difference?
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As you said earlier, you have 300 ppm water hardness. That is 300 mg of lime per liter of water. To a liter of peat you can add 300 mL of water or something and any more will drain. That's adding 100 mg of lime (equivalent).
If I remember Bugbees formula correctly he uses 2g lime per liter of medium and then lets it sit to equilibrate. That's 20 times as much lime.

Sure you can use your tap water but it will take some effort to get the same result as buying 5 bucks worth of lime.
 
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IndooorGardnerOhio

Well-Known Member
Lou66 said:
As you said earlier, you have 300 ppm water hardness. That is 300 mg of lime per liter of water. To a liter of peat you can add 300 mL of water or something and any more will drain. That's adding 100 mg of lime (equivalent).
If I remember Bugbees formula correctly he uses 2g lime per liter of medium and then lets it sit to equilibrate. That's 20 times as much lime.

Sure you can use your tap water but it will take some effort to get the same result as buying 5 bucks worth of lime.
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Thanks for explaining that! I get it know. I already have the lime so that isnt an issue, I was just wondering.
 
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