New grower- soil Ph

[Kassiopeija]

I would just like to say, unlike some, I did my research before investing my money in getting my gear for the grow.
Which included types of plants. I’m limited on space and i am sharing the growing space with other plants (vegetables). I can’t run photos with my plants (that I know of) where if I were to flip, the 12/12 won’t affect my other plants production. Though I think other plants would be considered autos too since there’s more of just minimum light required.

Also I went with autos for my first run is because they have shorter harvest times and since it’s my first grow I have no stock. Was trying to pile up with some autos and then move to photos.

If I was able too, I would start with some photos with the autos too. That way I can get some mother plants and run clones. <—Dream setup

I do have some photos though.. I have a bad habit in buying brand names, so I have some dying breeds, in house, and lempire

But don’t want to pop them until I have the space. And who knows when that will be but I had to get those seeds.

I have got sucked into horticulture and found that I have an addiction with buying/shopping for seeds.

Mind you I have not yet had 1 complete grow under my belt.

ok so what are these for plants you grow there, under how much light? (area + wattage + hours on)?

 

[still_smoked]

ok so what are these for plants you grow there, under how much light? (area + wattage + hours on)?

Sorry didn’t catch first question.
2.5x5 tent which will have a HLG 600rspec and planned doing 18/6 or 20/4

I am not focused on just the cannabis but I want to provide an environment for them to thrive to get best quality as well

 

[Aussieaceae]

Correct, no plants in pot yet. I was just mixing up the medium with my dry amendment. After I was curious to see what ph was and when measured it came out to 7.6 after adding amendments.

Do you use bag of soil for medium? Is it normally best practice to soak medium first? It was pretty moist already.

how do you know if you need more perlite?

I mix my own, no specific price or brand.

It's not good practice to soak it before planting. I'm only suggesting you rinse peat moss, because it's sulphurous and can have a lot of dust when you buy it.
Thing to also be aware of, is sulphur only makes things even more acidic when wet all the time and poorly aerated.

I'm of the opinion to just cut it with your light mix too. If you've already cut it down and you're at 7, then I'd leave it alone.

Wouldn't add any more acidity until you've been watering for a while. It's probably going to come down some more.
In the event it doesn't, then as myself and others have suggested, you can always top dress peat moss later.

Watch that Gaia Green, I wouldn't be mixing it through. If raising the ph is what it did to your light mix, then it'll do the same top dressing too.
Go sparingly is what i'm saying. Sounds like really hot stuff.
If you go overboard there isn't really any turning back...

Added aeration is almost always a good idea too. Don't think i've ever bought any bagged product, that I didn't think needed it.

 

[Kassiopeija]

Which included types of plants. I’m limited on space and i am sharing the growing space with other plants (vegetables). I can’t run photos with my plants

these vegetables, what are these? hemp needs quite some light, as e.g. in growing chilli's, if you can do that you shouldn't have a problem with hemp, but if you got herbs in your garden it won't be enough light, or you'll burn your hemps once you muster up.

I do have some photos though.. I have a bad habit in buying brand names, so I have some dying breeds, in house, and lempire

But don’t want to pop them until I have the space. And who knows when that will be but I had to get those seeds.

Perhaps pop 2-3 photos - just to test your soil. See how they do. Will be easy to judge from the leaves from week 2-3 onward. Regardless of space, you can always cut them back/short, keep them in veg, and flower them out later. If the soil test passes, your autos are ready to go as you've planned, giving you some sort of a guarantee the autoseeds aren't popped in vain. The photos can be kept at a window, cut short, in slow veg.

2.5x5 tent which will have a HLG 600rspec and planned doing 18/6 or 20/4

Sounds good

 

[Kassiopeija]

Thing to also be aware of, is sulphur only makes things even more acidic when wet all the time and poorly aerated.

IIRC there are these anaerobic sulphur-bacterias responsible for this...?

Watch that Gaia Green, I wouldn't be mixing it through. If raising the ph is what it did to your light mix, then it'll do the same top dressing too.
Go sparingly is what i'm saying. Sounds like really hot stuff.
If you go overboard there isn't really any turning back...

+1

@OP
Perhaps use RO/distilled water or rainwater and put some of that stuff in it, then measure the pH, and then see for yourself.

 

[still_smoked]

IIRC there are these anaerobic sulphur-bacterias responsible for this...?


+1

@OP
Perhaps use RO/distilled water or rainwater and put some of that stuff in it, then measure the pH, and then see for yourself.

Note- I am using ro which Is normally high 7 and low 8 and gets ph downed to low/mid 6 Range

 

[Aussieaceae]

IIRC there are these anaerobic sulphur-bacterias responsible for this...?


+1

@OP
Perhaps use RO/distilled water or rainwater and put some of that stuff in it, then measure the pH, and then see for yourself.

+2 Agreed.

Sometimes yes, if given the time. It's more so when there's poor aeration as well i think. Because the soil / mix loses oxygen. I think it's generally the hydrogen that stays which encourages the acidification.
The anaerobic environment is generally what follows afaik. At least that's what i've always been told.

 

[still_smoked]

these vegetables, what are these? hemp needs quite some light, as e.g. in growing chilli's, if you can do that you shouldn't have a problem with hemp, but if you got herbs in your garden it won't be enough light, or you'll burn your hemps once you muster up.


Perhaps pop 2-3 photos - just to test your soil. See how they do. Will be easy to judge from the leaves from week 2-3 onward. Regardless of space, you can always cut them back/short, keep them in veg, and flower them out later. If the soil test passes, your autos are ready to go as you've planned, giving you some sort of a guarantee the autoseeds aren't popped in vain. The photos can be kept at a window, cut short, in slow veg.


Sounds good

Just tomatoes/tomatillos and peppers. So going from 18/6 to 12/12 won’t affect other plants you think? Even if they were growing or fruiting? I’m just thinking like if my veggies require more time but my cannabis is ready for 12/12, the other plants won’t mind?

Idk if popping photos to test soil will validate anything? Aren’t autos more sensitive? So it’s not really the same thing right? Correct me if I’m wrong please.

Im like day 1 growing anything.

I like that idea! I’m really eager to grow my regs

 

[still_smoked]

+2 Agreed.

Sometimes yes, if given the time. It's more so when there's poor aeration as well i think. Because the soil / mix loses oxygen. I think it's generally the hydrogen that stays which encourages the acidification.
The anaerobic environment is generally what follows afaik. At least that's what i've always been told.

Too green to understand that

 

[Kassiopeija]

Note- I am using ro which Is normally high 7 and low 8 and gets ph downed to low/mid 6 Range

well, just disregard any pH-dowing of RO water - as there's 0 EC to back that up. in an organic grow the soillife usually takes the pH down over time.

 

[Kassiopeija]

The anaerobic environment is generally what follows afaik. At least that's what i've always been told.

sounds reasonable. the small helpers multiplicate at an extra-ordinarily rate - if the habitate is comfortable

 

[Aussieaceae]

Note- I am using ro which Is normally high 7 and low 8 and gets ph downed to low/mid 6 Range

If you truly are using RO and that's what it's coming out at, then i'd say you might need to change your filter.
Are you sure it's reverse osmosis you're using?
Are you sure there isn't an alkalizer in your system too?

Edit: If it's just an alkalizer and you've recently changed your filters, then I wouldn't worry about it myself. It'll still be better than your tap.

Too green to understand that

To simplify it, have plenty of aeration in your mix, don't over water and don't keep your mix wet all the time.

 

[Kassiopeija]

If you truly are using RO and that's what it's coming out at, then i'd say you might need to change your filter.

indeed, RO is usually neutral but fetches some aerial CO2 thus, gets slightly acidic quickly... but... one tiny bit of whatever pollution you got in your jar or stick and it'll falsify your test... if I stick an EC meter in water and it's like 0.01-0.05 just take it as neutral, but still, you need to calibrate your tools, if this isn'T doen thoroughly it may cause more harm than anything (this is why some growers never bother... )

 

[still_smoked]

If you truly are using RO and that's what it's coming out at, then i'd say you might need to change your filter.
Are you sure it's reverse osmosis you're using?
Are you sure there isn't an alkalizer in your system too?

Edit: If it's just an alkalizer and you've recently changed your filters, then I wouldn't worry about it myself. It'll still be better than your tap.



To simplify it, have plenty of aeration in your mix, don't over water and don't keep your mix wet all the time.

It’s actually a little bit lower. I have blue lab pens both for soil and water with the conductor pen as well.

haven’t tested ec yet but my ph from ro is actually lower. It’s a new filter just installed to kitchen sink which now looking the kit does include remineralizing pod.

Amazon.com

So I’m good then?

 

[Aussieaceae]

It’s actually a little bit lower. I have blue lab pens both for soil and water with the conductor pen as well.

haven’t tested ec yet but my ph from ro is actually lower. It’s a new filter just installed to kitchen sink which now looking the kit does include remineralizing pod.

Amazon.com

So I’m good then?

Yep, I think you'll be fine.

 

[still_smoked]

Yep, I think you'll be fine.

Thank you!

 

[cody.young11]

Haha, the same old question

PH in soil and how to chase numbers.

I'm a soil grower and have been for decades, nor do I own a PH meter but always more than happy. I do own some paper PH strips though which are about 2 decades old and nearly a full pack!

Leave it would be my advice except add some Ecothrive Charge to get the microherd going and water as normal by hand.

I use 60/40 soil/coco and the medium is brimming with life, springtails and all.

If PH in soil is so out it is obvious and you don't need to be chasing numbers at all. You'll just fuck it up. Slight PH unbalanced can generally be easily tolerated but major one need attention and generally it don't happen in soil naturally. It's the added shit which there is no need for in the first place.

So what nutrients do you use that you don't need to PH balance?

 

[KK26]

The best for me in my experience

Buddhas Tree Organicus