Acidic pH soil runoff

A few days ago when I watered, my soil runoff was around 5.0 so I added a little baking soda and watered again (I know this can be bad because of the sodium, but I don't know what else to use... don't have pH up or down). Didn't check it again. That was about 3 days ago and I just watered again. Runoff is still 5.0. I'm using drops so I know it's accurate.

My tap water straight out of the faucet reads around 7.5-8.0 which is pretty basic. However, when I let the water sit out for 24 hrs and add my nutes, it reads around 7.0. Now... how in the world is my runoff still 5.0?? My plant is showing some signs of lockout and has a major calcium deficiency but I can't seem to fix that with such an acidic pH!

Should I add more baking soda? Or is there something else I can get at the grocery store/Walmart or something? I've been to the local hydro store like a million times in the past month so I'm really trying to avoid going back for a while haha.

You can use dolomite or very fine lime and use when you water, or mix with the soil as much as possible.

Hi I think I have similar issues. I read that peat moss (which many of us are using) can have this effect and really lower the soil mix PH. I also have some lockout, magnesium I think. My own water PH is around 7, but I messed around too much and it affected my plants. Instead I've tried to just stick with getting my PH going in around 6.5 to 7 and will see how things go.

I'm interested in what you do, and will check your thread. Thanks for posting a good question, I think this is a very common problem for newer growers.

I had the same problem. I had a year old bag of happy frog that was sitting in my attic. I used it on my grow and got the same results as you, with lock out of ca mg and mutant leaves. I top dressed with 2tsp of dolomite per pot and waterd with 1tbsp per gallon of water ever other water for 2 weeks. Took care of the issue but I think all the stress hermi end the plant.

Db

Why do people always do something then ask if it was ok?

It would have taken 5 seconds to google it.

Powdered garden lime is like $4 for a 40lb bag at every big box home improvement/garden store.

Pot likes acid - don't worry.

Do you know what's in the water for sure?? My water pH in my area is the same. I use peat moss to help keep the pH down as it is acidic. Even after adding nutes to my water the pH drops from 8ph to around 7. So my run off usually ends in the 6.0-6.5 zone.

I would see if you could get a water analysis. So that way you know what you really need to be throwing in the water. I think pet smart will do it for free.

Sudden changes in Ph can/will slow growth & confuse the plant. If your run-off is 5, it begs the question what are you using for soil? Almost any decent soil will provide your plant with its basic needs, so don't jump to any conclusions about any kind of deficiency. Deficiencies are actually rare and making a suspected correction can have bad and long lasting effects. Posting pics and providing more grow history is needed before anyone can provide informed advice.