Soil ph question

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paraordnance

Well-Known Member
This is my first attempt at growing so I'm trying to read as much as I can. I mixed a soil from Botanicare ready gro aeration + sea soil + perlite + worm castings. I'm trying to grow organically. Just measured my soil ph and it sits right at 7.17, my RO water ph is 6.5-6.7
My question is, current soil ph should I bring it down a little or it will adjust on its own whenI start to feed some nutes to my plants (have Botanicare grow + bloom and cal-mag on hands)
 
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paraordnance

Well-Known Member
I have accurate digital Omega ph meter which I use for brewing. I measured soil ph as recommended online. Soaked soil with equal amount of RO water, then measured solution. I also have strawberry patch with roughly same ph for soil. And I see they like slightly acidic soil. Should I mix some sphagnum moss to bring it down as well as for my mj plants? I will be transplanting seedlings soon to 5 gal smart pots
 
greasemonkeymann

greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
paraordnance said:
I have accurate digital Omega ph meter which I use for brewing. I measured soil ph as recommended online. Soaked soil with equal amount of RO water, then measured solution. I also have strawberry patch with roughly same ph for soil. And I see they like slightly acidic soil. Should I mix some sphagnum moss to bring it down as well as for my mj plants? I will be transplanting seedlings soon to 5 gal smart pots
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that's within the range of their liking, after planting the plant will "adjust" it on it's own via it's exudates, quite fascinating when you think about it.
Also most organic soils will lean to the acidic side over time.
 
cannakis

cannakis

Well-Known Member
paraordnance said:
This is my first attempt at growing so I'm trying to read as much as I can. I mixed a soil from Botanicare ready gro aeration + sea soil + perlite + worm castings. I'm trying to grow organically. Just measured my soil ph and it sits right at 7.17, my RO water ph is 6.5-6.7
My question is, current soil ph should I bring it down a little or it will adjust on its own whenI start to feed some nutes to my plants (have Botanicare grow + bloom and cal-mag on hands)
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Perfect honestly for "organic" soil, supposedly if it's "living" it sits right above 7.

Damn you got a nice pH soil meter!?! Aren't those like $500?!

And greasemonkey is right on. Soil becomes Acidic except in few places where the rain provides Alkaline like near beaches etc... But it becomes acidic because of the Breakdown of forest matter, whatever it's called...That's why you have to Lime most Fresh farmland/gardens.

So I would Not touch your soil. It will lower on its own and you'll need lime eventually
 
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paraordnance

Well-Known Member
cannakis said:
Perfect honestly for "organic" soil, supposedly if it's "living" it sits right above 7.

Damn you got a nice pH soil meter!?! Aren't those like $500?!

And greasemonkey is right on. Soil becomes Acidic except in few places where the rain provides Alkaline like near beaches etc... But it becomes acidic because of the Breakdown of forest matter, whatever it's called...That's why you have to Lime most Fresh farmland/gardens.

So I would Not touch your soil. It will lower on its own and you'll need lime eventually
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Ok, thanks for explaining. I was worried about nutrient lock because everywhere it says soil medium ph should be around 6.5 and my freshly made soil is like 8 times more alkaline! But I will top dress with ewc 2-3 inches on top of my smart pots and should be good.
Haha, my ph meter is only cost $150 (phh-7200) and its for liquid not soil but its a great little reliable and accurate tool. I make mead and beer so its a must have for me
 
cannakis

cannakis

Well-Known Member
paraordnance said:
Ok, thanks for explaining. I was worried about nutrient lock because everywhere it says soil medium ph should be around 6.5 and my freshly made soil is like 8 times more alkaline! But I will top dress with ewc 2-3 inches on top of my smart pots and should be good.
Haha, my ph meter is only cost $150 (phh-7200) and its for liquid not soil but its a great little reliable and accurate tool. I make mead and beer so its a must have for me
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8x more basic!?! How do you say that, I thought you said it was 7.17? 8x 6.5 would be 52...

I wouldn't worry about lock out, just make sure your pH of water/nutrients is 6.5-7.3 and you'll be good. You made a pretty basic soil.

Nice mead used to be a Staple everywhere. That's where Honeymoon comes from because they would drink Mead for an entire Moon cycle celebrating their marriage.
 
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paraordnance

Well-Known Member
cannakis said:
8x more basic!?! How do you say that, I thought you said it was 7.17? 8x 6.5 would be 52...

I wouldn't worry about lock out, just make sure your pH of water/nutrients is 6.5-7.3 and you'll be good. You made a pretty basic soil.

Nice mead used to be a Staple everywhere. That's where Honeymoon comes from because they would drink Mead for an entire Moon cycle celebrating their marriage.
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I always thought that ph increases/lowers in logarithmic proportions ph = -log(H*). In other words ph of 7.5 is 10 times more alkaline than 6.5 don't you think?
 
cannakis

cannakis

Well-Known Member
paraordnance said:
I always thought that ph increases/lowers in logarithmic proportions ph = -log(H*). In other words ph of 7.5 is 10 times more alkaline than 6.5 don't you think?
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Had no clue! Interesting I learn something new everyday. But yeah you're definitely fine if that's your pH. And remember Give or Take that because it's mixed with water... Not a completely accurate Soil meter. Real pH soil meters start minimum $500 to like $1,200 for a Professional one.

GOD Speed on your grow brother hope it all turns out great for you!
 
DonBrennon

DonBrennon

Well-Known Member
paraordnance said:
They looking great and loving it so far. Bought some kelp meal, alfalfa hay, molasses for teas and myke for when transplanting to bigger pot. They just lacking some vigor.
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I think you'd get more vigor if you increased your humidity somehow, 35% is a little low especially for seedlings, I like 50-60% for veg growth, then around 40-50% for flower
 
DonBrennon

DonBrennon

Well-Known Member
DonBrennon said:
I think you'd get more vigor if you increased your humidity somehow, 35% is a little low especially for seedlings, I like 50-60% for veg growth, then around 40-50% for flower
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Just noticed the bowl of water, I've tried all that shit, wet towels, trays of water, etc. Get a cheap room humidifier from a health shop or chemist, if you're struggling with low humidity, they work a treat.
 
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paraordnance

Well-Known Member
DonBrennon said:
Just noticed the bowl of water, I've tried all that shit, wet towels, trays of water, etc. Get a cheap room humidifier from a health shop or chemist, if you're struggling with low humidity, they work a treat.
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I agree, bowl of water does nothing but takes place of one plant. I have humidifier, our climat is really dry in general. But I'm not sure if setting up humidifier in tent will work as all humidity will be immediately sucked out by exhaust fan. I also read that 30-40 rh is fine, not best but will do just fine. A lot better have low humidity than high. Will be perfect for flowering
 
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