PH Nemesis

Giblet

Well-Known Member
Couple of question's bros. I found this in another thread:
Only add it if the pH is low because too much lime locks out multiple other nutrients.
Dolomite lime will only bring acidic levels back towards neutral correct? It won't raise it past neutral right? That's why it's called a buffer?

Also, I see a lot of people saying to use about 2 tablespoons per gallon. Does it really matter?
 

McFonz

Well-Known Member
it brings the ph up. (it is basic)
when used at 2tablespoons per gallon it acts as a buffer. with acidic soils you might wanna use a bit more.
 

Giblet

Well-Known Member
it brings the ph up. (it is basic)
when used at 2tablespoons per gallon it acts as a buffer. with acidic soils you might wanna use a bit more.
Yeah, to 7. My soil won't be acidic initially but apparently it will get acidic over time because of the fertilizers. So, how much do you guys recommend I use in FoxFarm Ocean Forest soil using FoxFarm Grow Big and Big Bloom fertilizers? Also do you guys think I should add any perlite to Ocean Forest?
 

jawbrodt

Well-Known Member
Yeah, to 7. My soil won't be acidic initially but apparently it will get acidic over time because of the fertilizers. So, how much do you guys recommend I use in FoxFarm Ocean Forest soil using FoxFarm Grow Big and Big Bloom fertilizers? Also do you guys think I should add any perlite to Ocean Forest?

As mentioned, 2 tbsp per gallon, is about the most you'll want to add. I don't add any, and use OF, without PH issues. Should you add perlite? Hell yes!!!lol It's also effective in controlling PH, as it has a neutral PH, and most importantly, keeps the soil from staying too wet, for too long. I add an extra 10-15% to mine, and it works great. Drainage is very helpful, in keeping PH under control.
 

Giblet

Well-Known Member
Yeah. Just wanted to make sure and get more opinions cause of Spanishfly's post.

So I just looked up the pH of the tap water in my city and it's anywhere from 8.2 to 8.6, Do the pH buffers in FoxFarm Ocean Forest also bring high pHs, as well as low pHs, towards neutral. Is that how the buffer works?
 

Giblet

Well-Known Member
* BUMP *

So yeah the pH of my tap water is really high. You guys think I can get away with this in FoxFarm Ocean Forest and their nutes? And if so, will low pH still be a factor over time from the nutes, eventhough the pH of my tap is so high? Will I still benefit from adding a little dolomite lime to prevent this? I really don't want to spend that much money on a meter that needs to be calibrated every time. UGH! What a hassle. Surely people grow plants all the time without ever giving pH a second thought. Please tell me it's one of those things that ultra-mega-extreme-hardcore growers do for optimal performance but really isn't necessary.

Given the pH of my tap water and the type of soil and nutes I'll be using (none of this Tiger Bloom ridiculousness lol, just Grow Big and Big Bloom), what would be the best strategy to take if I don't want to worry about pH ever in life. Do nothing? Maybe what's been suggested already and just add a little dolomite lime? Something new and better? I welcome all your opinions. Thank you for your time.

I hate pH.
 
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