Is a soils PH of 7.8-8.0 too high? Using PRO-MIX

max316420

max316420

Well-Known Member
Ok so I am using premere pro-mix bx and I keep having def's and No matter what I do the ladies keep getting worse and worse... So I take my cheap ass soil ph meter and stick it into one of my pots and I get a reading between 7.8-8.0.... Can someone please tell me this is way to high for promix and that is what is causing this lockout and could someone PLEASE tell me how to lower the ph of my soil? I already took some RO'd water and ph'd it down to like 4.5 and ran it through a couple of pots and still the soil tester is reading around 8. Please tell me how to remedy this....
 
max316420

max316420

Well-Known Member
Thats not really that much help, and this promix is not cheap and its tech not soil its a soiless mix.... And the only cheap meter I have is my soil ph meter.. And since you say use better soil what do you think about fox farm ocean forest
 
Mother's Finest

Mother's Finest

Well-Known Member
Yes, pH 7.8 is way to high. Imo everyone using a pH meter should have an alternative way to test pH in order to verify that the meter is still working correctly, especially when the owner believes it to be a cheap ass meter. There are capsules, drops, strips and other cheap ways to double check the pH for under ten bucks. Most garden centers will have these.

Once you're sure the problem is alkaline substrate and not a bad meter, you can do two things to fix it. You can flush the substrate to bring it to a neutral pH 7, and then finish flushing with pH 6 water to make it more acidic. Alternatively, you can just water with liquid under pH 5 and when it mixes with the soil, the average pH should come out under 7.
 
max316420

max316420

Well-Known Member
I'm pretty sure this meter is working, and just tested my pro-mix after I watered with ph'd water of like5.0 and yet the tester is now reading a hair under 8... Has anyone had this type of problem with promix?
 
W

Wetdog

Well-Known Member
Your pH tester is more than likely shit.

ProMix is good stuff and being peat based usually acidic, like with a pH in the 5's.

That's why I think your tester is wrong. If it's one of those prong things, throw it away. 100-1 it's not giving you a correct reading.

Wet
 
DrFever

DrFever

New Member
PRO-MIX 'BX' MYCORISE® PRO is a "general purpose" peat-based growing medium with vermiculite and perlite, used for the cultivation of a wide variety of plant species. MYCORISE® PRO ensures stronger, healthier plants due to more developed root systems and better fertilizer uptake.

Pro-Mix BX with Biofungicide is composed of Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss (75-85 % / vol.); Dolomitic & Calcitic Limestone (pH adjuster); Endomycorrhize (Mycorise Pro); Macronutrients; Perlite (horticural grade); Micronutrients; Vermiculite; and a Wetting Agent.

Pro-Mix BX with Mycorise Pro is suitable for Bedding Trays; Dish Gardens; Pots and Hanging baskets; Perennials; and Propagation.

3.8CF size is compressed and expands to approximately 7 cubic feet loose. Each cubic foot of loose Pro-Mix fills approximately 10 one gallon trade pots or 14 eight inch hanging baskets or 57 four inch square pots or 7 bedding plant trays.
 
DrFever

DrFever

New Member
so my answer is did you stir it up well prior to useing it ??? could very well have not done this as you can see it has Dolomitic & Calcitic Limestone (pH adjuster
 
Mother's Finest

Mother's Finest

Well-Known Member
There is certainly a problem because pH 5 water + pH 8 substrate should yield something close to 6.5. The fact that the acidic liquid showed no affect on the soil pH is reason enough to try at least an inexpensive alternative pH tester.
 
W

Wetdog

Well-Known Member
DrFever said:
so my answer is did you stir it up well prior to useing it ??? could very well have not done this as you can see it has Dolomitic & Calcitic Limestone (pH adjuster
Click to expand...
This is true, they DO add it. They just don't add ENOUGH of it. LOL Like FFOF and their oyster shell and people having pH problems with it.

Wet
 
max316420

max316420

Well-Known Member
I use ro water witch is around 6.9, I test the runoff and it was around 6.5 which seem good right? Well then I have no clue what is going on with my ladies... My fan leaves are turning yellow and dying and I know that I'm feeding them enough (but not overfeeding). Seems like a mag def but I have added calmag with much improvements..... I am actually switching over to ffof because I have been trying to figure out this problem for about a year and a half and i'm completely fed up lol so if anyone has any tips about using ffof they would be greatly appreciated
 
DrFever

DrFever

New Member
max316420 said:
so here is another question... Is promix soil or hydro because I am getting conflicting opinions on this question
Click to expand...
ok what are you asking

but anyways i am thinking you need to add dolomite in your soil PERIOD you are saying your getting readings of low 5's to 8 dude first thing is you need a precise measuring tool for PH instead of buying a bag of weed this week end buy a good ph meter your new to this i can guarntee this will not be your last grow trust me its addicting you will grow more :)) so stop beating around the bush and stop fckin around lol
go to your local hydroponic store and for 120.00 you can get a meter, and ph up and ph down
 
max316420

max316420

Well-Known Member
I have been growing for about ten years, my buddy used to make my soil for me but no longer can.. I also have an HM ph meter that I test and ph my water with every watering. Usually get it to around 6.3 after all food is added and that is why I don't understand why i'm having such a problem with it. Here is a pic of my last crop, they did the same thing last crop but not as bad as this one??





P1000701.jpg
 

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DrFever

DrFever

New Member
sorry thought after 10 years you would of invested in a EC meter and Ph meter Either way if you want a soil i can give you a great soil


bag of peat moss
pro- mix regular none additives except perlite
Shrimp compost
sheep manure

1/4 bag of all ingredients to one bag of pro mix and my friend life will be good

and by the way nice pics heres my girls day 38 as of tonight :))
 
max316420

max316420

Well-Known Member
DrFever said:
sorry thought after 10 years you would of invested in a EC meter and Ph meter Either way if you want a soil i can give you a great soil


bag of peat moss
pro- mix regular none additives except perlite
Shrimp compost
sheep manure

1/4 bag of all ingredients to one bag of pro mix and my friend life will be good

and by the way nice pics heres my girls day 38 as of tonight :))
Click to expand...


I don't use ec meter but ppm meter instead
 
DrFever

DrFever

New Member
after reading your last post i figured it out for ya most nutrients have a ph buffer in them what you need is Ph up so once you mix all your food you add PH up to 6.8 or so i grow in promix and found kepping ph levels in the 7.0 work great hope this helps you
 
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