Hi All,
After a lot of research on this forum and elsewhere, I have compiled a simple procedure to adjust your soil pH if you did not correctly do so before planting. I found a lot of useful information on here, but never a quick guide that had a case study from beginning to end, so I thought I would post my experience in case it would help others.
I created a soil mix of 80% fox farm ocean forest and 20% perlite. One month ago today, I planted 8 plants from 1gl plastic bags containing Fox Farm Light warrior, to 5gl felt bags with the ocean forest mixture. After about 3 days, I noticed a few problems. First, leaves were clawing upwards, secondly the new growth had a bit of necrosis and yellowing. I determined this to be a cal/mag lockout due to low pH (acidic soil). I tested my soil runoff pH and it was about 5.0!!
I bought a bag of this: http://www.amazon.com/Flora-Hydroponics-Pulverized-Dolomitic-Sweetner/dp/B00597YFXW
And added 2 tablespoons per 5gl of soil. All I did was spread it evenly on top of soil and use my fingers to work it in as far as I could w/o destroying any roots. Then I waited.
I did not see any changes for about 2 weeks. My runoff pH tested at 5.5 2 weeks later, and then last night, 4 weeks later it tested at 6.1. The plants look a lot better. Greener leaves, no necrosis, and overall healthier look. I would guess by 6 weeks or so after applying this stuff I will see pH's of 6.5 or so which is exactly where I want it.
A long story short, this DOES work but it takes a number of weeks to take affect. Best advice is to add the lime in BEFORE you pot your plants!
Hope this helps someone someday.
INF
After a lot of research on this forum and elsewhere, I have compiled a simple procedure to adjust your soil pH if you did not correctly do so before planting. I found a lot of useful information on here, but never a quick guide that had a case study from beginning to end, so I thought I would post my experience in case it would help others.
I created a soil mix of 80% fox farm ocean forest and 20% perlite. One month ago today, I planted 8 plants from 1gl plastic bags containing Fox Farm Light warrior, to 5gl felt bags with the ocean forest mixture. After about 3 days, I noticed a few problems. First, leaves were clawing upwards, secondly the new growth had a bit of necrosis and yellowing. I determined this to be a cal/mag lockout due to low pH (acidic soil). I tested my soil runoff pH and it was about 5.0!!
I bought a bag of this: http://www.amazon.com/Flora-Hydroponics-Pulverized-Dolomitic-Sweetner/dp/B00597YFXW
And added 2 tablespoons per 5gl of soil. All I did was spread it evenly on top of soil and use my fingers to work it in as far as I could w/o destroying any roots. Then I waited.
I did not see any changes for about 2 weeks. My runoff pH tested at 5.5 2 weeks later, and then last night, 4 weeks later it tested at 6.1. The plants look a lot better. Greener leaves, no necrosis, and overall healthier look. I would guess by 6 weeks or so after applying this stuff I will see pH's of 6.5 or so which is exactly where I want it.
A long story short, this DOES work but it takes a number of weeks to take affect. Best advice is to add the lime in BEFORE you pot your plants!
Hope this helps someone someday.
INF
