Ph in soil?

U

Username85

Well-Known Member
I hope this isn’t a hot button issue like the Cal-Mag discussions can get, but do I need to ph my water if plants are in soil?
I’ve seen a lot of back and forth opinions and I’m hoping for a clear consensus.
I’ve been going through and Ph-ing before feeding, but have been told it’s not necessary.
My tap water is fairly alkaline, close to 8.0.
So, the big question, is it necessary?
 
90'sStoner

90'sStoner

Well-Known Member
In my experience yes.

Had been using rainwater with a PH of 6.8 with no problem, moved to the attic and started using the water from the open tank with a PH of 7.9, was OK at first but over time I it raised the PH in my soil and I started to get zinc lockout.
 
U

Username85

Well-Known Member
So far throughout my plants life I’ve been Ph-ing the water. I use a drip test kit so getting it where I need to be is a time consuming task. I was looking forward to cutting that out of my routine, but looks like it’s the better way to go.
 
turbobuzz

turbobuzz

Well-Known Member
I have wondered the same thing, and I have read opinions both ways. My water is around 8 too, so I decided as easy is it is to do, I’d just keep doing it. I use citric acid. A little less than 1/4 tsp per gallon drops it to around 6.5.
 
L

LivingBehind

Active Member
never

never

ever

never

never

over the years i thought i have read everything, but failing ph buffers ? oh god. u guys remind me why i always lurk around and leaving running every fuken time for over 10 years now.
 
U

Username85

Well-Known Member
LivingBehind said:
never

never

ever

never

never

over the years i thought i have read everything, but failing ph buffers ? oh god. u guys remind me why i always lurk around and leaving running every fuken time for over 10 years now.
Click to expand...
So your answer is no, don’t ph? Lol. I’m about as green as they come-this is my first grow that doesn’t look like complete dog shit. Gets tricky navigating what to do when you see a multitude of answers for the same issue.
 
L

LivingBehind

Active Member
Username85 said:
So your answer is no, don’t ph? Lol. I’m about as green as they come-this is my first grow that doesn’t look like complete dog shit. Gets tricky navigating what to do when you see a multitude of answers for the same issue.
Click to expand...
the ph buffers doesnt work like electronics. they cannot fail or go sour....they work and always will work. it doesnt matter what ph you using the the logical not rocket scient scale it will always be absorbed by plants. sure you can go and fuken have a debate about 97% or 97.3%. but it wont be an even 1% difference.

you can go and ph it. if u grow for yourself its fine. you aint losing much plus you become ready for coco and the real answer to low plant count big bud amount.

but when you rocking plant numbers and sog setups on whole rooms. you aint ph ing shiet mate. and u go soil for that reason. dont fuken ph soil coz u failed to go coco. simple answer. an answer of ages. sure the new people and their one plant wonders giving me some funzies, but whatever.
 
green_machine_two9er

green_machine_two9er

Well-Known Member
LivingBehind said:
never

never

ever

never

never

over the years i thought i have read everything, but failing ph buffers ? oh god. u guys remind me why i always lurk around and leaving running every fuken time for over 10 years now.
Click to expand...
wow. You realize this is newbie central???
Go running there not sure anyone will miss ya one bit.
LivingBehind said:
the ph buffers doesnt work like electronics. they cannot fail or go sour....they work and always will work. it doesnt matter what ph you using the the logical not rocket scient scale it will always be absorbed by plants. sure you can go and fuken have a debate about 97% or 97.3%. but it wont be an even 1% difference.

you can go and ph it. if u grow for yourself its fine. you aint losing much plus you become ready for coco and the real answer to low plant count big bud amount.

but when you rocking plant numbers and sog setups on whole rooms. you aint ph ing shiet mate. and u go soil for that reason. dont fuken ph soil coz u failed to go coco. simple answer. an answer of ages. sure the new people and their one plant wonders giving me some funzies, but whatever.
Click to expand...
I’m more confused. Maybe you should hang out here more and you wouldn’t sound like a moron. As far as I can tell your a one plant wonder and are giving me the funzies. Wtf.

1- ok so only ph if you grow for yourself? That makes since. I guess??

2 - ok ph water cause it’s preparation for coco growing?

3 - o wait you first said never,never ever never et. Ph soil. Wtf now I’m confused.
 
green_machine_two9er

green_machine_two9er

Well-Known Member
Username85 said:
So your answer is no, don’t ph? Lol. I’m about as green as they come-this is my first grow that doesn’t look like complete dog shit. Gets tricky navigating what to do when you see a multitude of answers for the same issue.
Click to expand...
Don’t stress about ph in soil. Think like microbes because that’s what’s responsible for getting food to plants.

add extra earth worm castings top dress. using a microbial supplement like recharge will keep things good soil ph wise.

the buffers like oyster and dolomite lime gypsum et. Will keep a basic range. The microbes are the real workhorse in keeping ph in check.
The real tough part of soil growing is watering practices. Getting it just right can take years of refinement snd practice.
 
U

Username85

Well-Known Member
green_machine_two9er said:
Don’t stress about ph in soil. Think like microbes because that’s what’s responsible for getting food to plants.

add extra earth worm castings top dress. using a microbial supplement like recharge will keep things good soil ph wise.

the buffers like oyster and dolomite lime gypsum et. Will keep a basic range. The microbes are the real workhorse in keeping ph in check.
The real tough part of soil growing is watering practices. Getting it just right can take years of refinement snd practice.
Click to expand...
Is something like Happy Frog soil conditioner something I could use for top dress/microbial supplement, or is that something completely different?
My watering this time has been better than my previous grows, but I’m sure still has plenty of room for improvement. Every 3-4 days 2gal into each plant (10 gal pots) water, water, feed
 
green_machine_two9er

green_machine_two9er

Well-Known Member
Username85 said:
Is something like Happy Frog soil conditioner something I could use for top dress/microbial supplement, or is that something completely different?
My watering this time has been better than my previous grows, but I’m sure still has plenty of room for improvement. Every 3-4 days 2gal into each plant (10 gal pots) water, water, feed
Click to expand...
Hf soil conditioner is not bad. Mostly castings anyway.

micro herd really likes consistent moisture levels. When really unlocking soils potential I recommend watering every day. But way less, about 5%pot size. Ten gallon pot about 1/2 g a day for large plants. Potentially more with environmentals.

happy frog has a fruit and flower dry amendment that is a once a month topdress. Works great for boosting soilnutrition.
What are you feeding now? Because the mechanism of feeding does change the water practice that is chosen.
 
U

Username85

Well-Known Member
green_machine_two9er said:
Hf soil conditioner is not bad. Mostly castings anyway.

micro herd really likes consistent moisture levels. When really unlocking soils potential I recommend watering every day. But way less, about 5%pot size. Ten gallon pot about 1/2 g a day for large plants. Potentially more with environmentals.

happy frog has a fruit and flower dry amendment that is a once a month topdress. Works great for boosting soilnutrition.
What are you feeding now? Because the mechanism of feeding does change the water practice that is chosen.
Click to expand...
I’m currently giving 1/4 tsp per gal of Open Sesame, only nutes I’m giving. I’ll try and look into the fruit and flower amendment. This grow has been my biggest learning experience, much more than my previous. Still plenty of learning left to do
 

Attachments

Fatleg77

Fatleg77

Well-Known Member
green_machine_two9er said:
Don’t stress about ph in soil. Think like microbes because that’s what’s responsible for getting food to plants.

add extra earth worm castings top dress. using a microbial supplement like recharge will keep things good soil ph wise.

the buffers like oyster and dolomite lime gypsum et. Will keep a basic range. The microbes are the real workhorse in keeping ph in check.
The real tough part of soil growing is watering practices. Getting it just right can take years of refinement snd practice.
Click to expand...
good solid advice
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top