Possible pH problems with Outdoor Grow?

BeachsideGreen

Well-Known Member
What's up y'all, I got a bit of a dilemma I was hoping somebody could possibly fix. I have a few plants outdoors and they have been out since late May. They are not growing very well, and a re very lanky with small leaves. I am beginning to suspect pH to be the problem because they exhibit slow growth. They hardly respond to any kind of nutrients.
I was wondering if it may be the fact that they are growing under pine trees. I heard that the decomposing needles tend to acidify the soil, but after further research it seems to be that they may have no effect. I still think the pH is off though. Is there anyway I can quickly get a test of my soils. I bought one of the Rapitest pH Meters, and the POS doesn't work. It just reads 7 on every type of soil.
If the pH is off, how can I fix it. I seen adding lime to make it more (I think basic?) but it shows that takes time. I want to try and salvage my babies so all this hard work was not wasted. Would it be possible to add pH UP or pH DOWN to the water supply, then water them.
I am completely lost and any help would be much appreciated. I have invested lots of time and effort into these plants, and have drawn more blood getting through the bullshit for them. Thanks. They are all White Widows.:-|
 
What's up y'all, I got a bit of a dilemma I was hoping somebody could possibly fix. I have a few plants outdoors and they have been out since late May. They are not growing very well, and a re very lanky with small leaves. I am beginning to suspect pH to be the problem because they exhibit slow growth. They hardly respond to any kind of nutrients.
I was wondering if it may be the fact that they are growing under pine trees. I heard that the decomposing needles tend to acidify the soil, but after further research it seems to be that they may have no effect. I still think the pH is off though. Is there anyway I can quickly get a test of my soils. I bought one of the Rapitest pH Meters, and the POS doesn't work. It just reads 7 on every type of soil.
If the pH is off, how can I fix it. I seen adding lime to make it more (I think basic?) but it shows that takes time. I want to try and salvage my babies so all this hard work was not wasted. Would it be possible to add pH UP or pH DOWN to the water supply, then water them.
I am completely lost and any help would be much appreciated. I have invested lots of time and effort into these plants, and have drawn more blood getting through the bullshit for them. Thanks. They are all White Widows.:-|

Soil near pine trees and azaleas will be highly acidic! Apply dolomite lime around the drip line of the plant and water it in. you may also want to up the Ph in the water. If you live in the states, most universities have an agriculture center that can do soil analysis for free. Some city agro extension centers offer this too. Water with higher PH water, even if you have to buy distilled, which should be a 7 ph. You can also add baking soda, but that is a temp fix as it will diminish. the Dolomite lime is slow releasing and should last for several waterings. It not only ups the ph, it also add beneficial micro-nutrients.
 
Thanks for the reply. I apologize if I am flooding the forum with doubles and triple post. I really just want to find out what exactly needs to be done to my ladies. I have spent too much effort to lose 'em. I took some soil samples to the local nursery today and had them test the pH with their meter. He assured me theirs were pretty accurate and they don't usually have problems. He tested my soils and they were 6.0-6.2. Now I am confused seeing as that should be the range I'm looking for. He then mentioned the possibility that I have nematodes. I was wondering if any of y'all have any experience with this. I will have some pics. up in a few minutes, then maybe y'all could really point me in the right direction.
 
Well here are my babies. They are looking a bit rough. Any suggestions will be very much appreciated. One of the plants appears to have some fusarium wilt. I'm not completely sure though.
 
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