Ph Too High for Soil?

Ganjasism

Active Member
I've got some seedlilngs that are not doing so well:wall:. I tested my ppm from the run-off last night and it was 333ppm and the pH was around 8. Is this bad in soil??? It's some sort of compost mix I bought. The pH of the water going in was 7.3 (rainwater), with a ppm of only 49. Any suggestions??? I've got some nute solution that would bring down the pH a little but would that put my ppm's too high for seedlings that are only two weeks old?​
 

Honkeycorn

Well-Known Member
Just flush with water, 2 or 3 times the volume of the container being flushed. That will bring down the PPM and PH, then you wont be overfeeding them on your next feeding :)
 

Ganjasism

Active Member
Just flush with water, 2 or 3 times the volume of the container being flushed. That will bring down the PPM and PH, then you wont be overfeeding them on your next feeding :)

Thanks for the quick advice. I'm gonna go flush now. Thanks again. Reps to you.
 

MellowHaze

Active Member
you want your ph to be about 6.5 with soil, as honkey said flushing her will bring then ph down as long as the ph in the water is lower so try and get your water to 6.5 to flush her good luck man
 

Ganjasism

Active Member
you want your ph to be about 6.5 with soil, as honkey said flushing her will bring then ph down as long as the ph in the water is lower so try and get your water to 6.5 to flush her good luck man
Thanks. I appreciate it. I flushed pretty good today, so I'll check the pH again when it's time to water. I've been using rainwater that reads anywhere from 6.8 to 7.7??? And that's out of the same barrel??? If I add some nutes that would bring down the pH, but my ppm's will shoot up. Damn, I should just stick to the Waterfarm and quit fooling with this damn dirt!
 

sparkafire

Well-Known Member
If you used straight compost to plant that could end up being really hot for a new plant. Without knowing the whole situation I am going to bet that this issue is not finished because of your potting medium flushing or not.
 

Ganjasism

Active Member
If you used straight compost to plant that could end up being really hot for a new plant. Without knowing the whole situation I am going to bet that this issue is not finished because of your potting medium flushing or not.
I flushed really good yesterday. The plants are looking a little better today. I have three different strains going atm and they all are reacting differently. I hope this will resolve with the flushing(s), but I am a little skeptical. I will definitely be mixing up some better mix when I repot into bigger pots.
 

Ganjasism

Active Member
Allright, I think I/We're on the right track. I flushed again today (they've been under about 20hrs of light a day, some natural). I tested the ppm of the run-off, and it was down from around 333 to 160!!! The pH was still at 8.0 though. So I checked around and found that a little, and I do mean a LITTLE vinegar (just a few drops per gallon), will bring the pH down ALOT! I tried it on some water that was at 7.4 and it brought the pH down to 4.1 !!! So, I filled my bucket back up with rainwater (7.4) and that brought the pH down to around 5.8. So, I flushed with that again, and the end results were ppm-149; and pH-6.8 I should see better nutrient uptake from this correct? Also, with the ppm being that low, when should I introduce my nutrients? Thanks guys/girls.
 

maps84

Well-Known Member
You're complaining about your soil yet you don't have over watering issues, how nice is that? anyways, 6.8 is a tad high but definitely better than before. Seedlings should be able to establish now in a more friendly medium for NPK uptaking but remember you still want it right on 6.5 so you might consider feeding at 6.0 next time to bring it down slowly from 6.8.
 

dan2581

Active Member
I'm glad your seeing improvement although you probably ran a little too much water through them. Nothing that wont sort itself out though. I wish I was a bit sooner I had a mother that was acting funny so I checked my soil pH and it was at 7.5. I mixed up some pH down and RO and fed it 2 gallons (in 5 gallon container) of 5.5 pH water. Within 12 hours my pH had dropped to 6.7 and it is growing normal again.
 

Ganjasism

Active Member
You're complaining about your soil yet you don't have over watering issues, how nice is that? anyways, 6.8 is a tad high but definitely better than before. Seedlings should be able to establish now in a more friendly medium for NPK uptaking but remember you still want it right on 6.5 so you might consider feeding at 6.0 next time to bring it down slowly from 6.8.
LOL, I know it sounds like alot of water going through there but the flushing today was all done in a matter of minutes, instead of allowing them to sit and then flushing. The cups I have them in drain REALLY well so they are not standing in water. Thanks for commenting on this, I need all the help I can get.
 

Ganjasism

Active Member
I'm glad your seeing improvement although you probably ran a little too much water through them. Nothing that wont sort itself out though. I wish I was a bit sooner I had a mother that was acting funny so I checked my soil pH and it was at 7.5. I mixed up some pH down and RO and fed it 2 gallons (in 5 gallon container) of 5.5 pH water. Within 12 hours my pH had dropped to 6.7 and it is growing normal again.
Glad to hear you have the pH straightened out and your plant has responded well. Thank you for commenting, I really appreciate the help.
 

Ganjasism

Active Member
Wow, it has been awhile. The autoflowers have been harvested and taste good. But I have a freind that says when he smoked it, that the high only lasted about 20 minutes or so??? Anyway, the other plants are around 6 feet tall now and looking great. Thanks to everyone on RIU! Pics coming soon I hope, camera issues.
 
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