Soil testing help

Chefman86

Member
So I have had problems with adding too much nutes (advanced nutrients pH perfect three-part).
I found that my runoff EC was 3.0 after being 1.9 in my solution. So I wanted to flush my soil with straight water. The next day after flushing I did a soil slurry test to find out the pH and EC of my soil.
I was reading online that you should do three test spread over three different days.
What I failed to do on my first two tests is use distilled water at 7.0 pH. So the first two tests were using ice mountain bottled water and it wasn't pH to 7.0.
I am using a blue labs combo meter to record the information.

1st test- ice mountain bottled water. Stirred. I did not wait a half an hour to let the soil and water mix on this test.
pH-6.9 EC-.4 PPM500-220 PPM700-310

2nd test (1 day later)- ice mountain bottled water. Stirred. I did let the soil and water sit for a half an hour before testing.
pH-6.4 EC-.6 PPM500-290 PPM700-410

3rs test (1 day later)-I used distilled water and pH it to 7.0. Stirred. I let the soil and water sit for a half an hour before testing.
pH-6.7 EC-.7 PPM500-380 PPM700-540.

With looking at these numbers, especially the last test with the distilled water at 7.0 pH do you see the pH, EC, or PPM being too high?
 

Chefman86

Member
How do your plants look?
I just repotted into a 3 gal pot from a 1 gal. And just water with 6.8 pH water only (no nutes). Since with repotting and using Ocean Forest soil, I figured with the addition of new soil I am getting some extra nutes...
Was going to hold off on a light feeding for a few days.
Whatcha think about the looks of this little one?
 

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Chefman86

Member
Yes I germinated the seed until I saw a taproot and planted it in solo cup. Went to a 1/2 gallon then now to a 3 gallon. Using Ocean Forest and perlite as medium.
I did do two light feedings with the advanced nutrients pH perfect, but they were extremely light. I transplanted yesterday and only watered with a pH of 6.8 No nutes. Was waiting to see if it bounce back. The bottom leaves are still pretty yellow and browning of the tips. I assume it needs a feeding now? Since I transplanted into a 3 gallon it has new ocean forest soil....
But in all honesty I just got my pH meter (blue Labs combo meter) and I hadn't been making sure my pH was correct when I was watering...
So hopefully I didn't do too much damage, I still see new growth at the top.
 

Chefman86

Member
20200615_130753.jpg

I also have done two very light applications of this weekly as a foliage spray for preventative reasons. But I don't think it would have done that to the old growth on my plant? I didn't see any burn when I did it the first week
 

Dontjudgeme

Well-Known Member
Ocean forest is pretty hot when it comes to seedlings. Most people mix another soil type with no nutrients to balance it out for small plants. But she looks big enough to take it straight out of the bag now. But what type of light are you using, hows your temp and Rh? She has some pretty significant stretching going on between her nodes. The yellowing/brown tips usually indicate burning, which is what I suspected from the hot soil. I heard of that mammoth stuff, reviews seem to be split down the middle with positive and negative reviews. I would try to get your meter calibrated to make sure your ph is right, in the event you add anything to your watering schedule.
 

Chefman86

Member
It's definitely not my meter being off. I didn't have a meter for say the first three weeks of the plant's life. So it definitely got the wrong pH when it came to waterings. This plant has been in Ocean Forest soil the whole time.... And I can see what you mean by it having too many nutrients for a seedling.
I have a 1,000 watt LED cob light, relative humidity is 55% and I am running about 76 to 77°
 

Chefman86

Member
And it was under CFLs for 4 weeks out of the five until I could get my LED light shipped to my place. There again lies a problem of it stretching
 

Dontjudgeme

Well-Known Member
I don’t usually Ph my water either, especially with seedlings. I grow organically and amend my soil. So my ph’ing doesn’t start until my first transplant. Your temps could be a little warmer, I have an LED and usually run between 80-82 temp, humidity around 60%. Your metrics aren’t far off from mine. You have a decent enough light now to stop the stretching, so you should be good there. Whatever damage that’s there now won’t go away, the important part is to watch the new growth and see how it looks. If the new growth remains green, you’re good to go. I assume you’re in a tent?
 

Chefman86

Member
I don’t usually Ph my water either, especially with seedlings. I grow organically and amend my soil. So my ph’ing doesn’t start until my first transplant. Your temps could be a little warmer, I have an LED and usually run between 80-82 temp, humidity around 60%. Your metrics aren’t far off from mine. You have a decent enough light now to stop the stretching, so you should be good there. Whatever damage that’s there now won’t go away, the important part is to watch the new growth and see how it looks. If the new growth remains green, you’re good to go. I assume you’re in a tent?
Getting my 4x4 tent next week
 
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