Bat guana
- Thread starter Jmc1
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Novicehomegrower
New Member
yes you will need to ph your water unless it is already around 6.3 - 6.6
AliCakes
Well-Known Member
.......I don't every time in an organic grow. I try to keep my soil around 6.5. Using organics that won't kill my micro life to keep things in check. Sulfur or raw apple cider vinegar or a topping of ewc to lower pH, lime to raise it.
I pH my soil before growing to make sure it is in check, then once every few weeks (or more often if I see an issue in my plants). The microbiology of a well balanced soil will keep the pH in check. Taking pH regularly is about making sure that you haven't done something to screw up the natural balance. This can be as simple as creating an imbalance of fungal and bacterial colonies in your soil.
I pH my soil before growing to make sure it is in check, then once every few weeks (or more often if I see an issue in my plants). The microbiology of a well balanced soil will keep the pH in check. Taking pH regularly is about making sure that you haven't done something to screw up the natural balance. This can be as simple as creating an imbalance of fungal and bacterial colonies in your soil.
Nullis
Moderator
... I use bat guano and dolomite limestone. I do not check the pH of my fertigation solutions when applying it or any other liquid organics. Just the dolomite lime at about 2 tbsp per gallon.
A note though that the guano will lend to a different pH depending on the source. The high N bat guano tends to be acidic, but for example Peruvian seabird guano has a much higher pH.
A note though that the guano will lend to a different pH depending on the source. The high N bat guano tends to be acidic, but for example Peruvian seabird guano has a much higher pH.
AliCakes
Well-Known Member
lime a group of products made of crushed up limestone.....dolomite lime is simply limestone with a good amount of magnesium.
With vinegar, you want a product that still has some of the mother in the bottle. It is still alive and increases the gram negative bacteria within the soil - just like another fermented liquid fertilizer will.
The problem with commercial pH corrections is the salt content......nothing I spoke of in the original pot was an unnatural product. Don't discount sulfur either. It is a longer lasting, slower reacting product, but sulfur is a vital plant nutrient and deters bugs. Plus it is very cheap.
I personally use very little lime.....dolomite or otherwise. Why? After all some people swear by the product. My local environment has massive amounts of lime stone. Our water has a high pH, as does our soil. Although this product may seem like a miracle to those who live in acidic environments, if you don't, it can exacerbate your problems. And while Nullis is correct....cannabis plants use a lot of calcium and magnesium - it is also readily available in my earth worm compost from egg shells, crab shells, and veggies I scrap.
With vinegar, you want a product that still has some of the mother in the bottle. It is still alive and increases the gram negative bacteria within the soil - just like another fermented liquid fertilizer will.
The problem with commercial pH corrections is the salt content......nothing I spoke of in the original pot was an unnatural product. Don't discount sulfur either. It is a longer lasting, slower reacting product, but sulfur is a vital plant nutrient and deters bugs. Plus it is very cheap.
I personally use very little lime.....dolomite or otherwise. Why? After all some people swear by the product. My local environment has massive amounts of lime stone. Our water has a high pH, as does our soil. Although this product may seem like a miracle to those who live in acidic environments, if you don't, it can exacerbate your problems. And while Nullis is correct....cannabis plants use a lot of calcium and magnesium - it is also readily available in my earth worm compost from egg shells, crab shells, and veggies I scrap.
AliCakes
Well-Known Member
No. It is too much work to bother every time. I have a good quality soil pH meter. After watering my soil, I check it once every couple of weeks. If it is a bit high (I don't think mine has ever been very low) I will set up a compost tea and add in a raw vinegar or I will topdress with sulfur. Next watering, I use the solution to lower pH. The microbes do the rest of the work. If I am seeing an issue with my plants, I will continue to check each watering until things look just right - but that is a very rare occurrence.....usually a bit more common with a new soil that has not had much time for micro life to grow within.
