I am at the point where I started adjusting my ph. I start with store bought spring water 7.0 and light warrior. I bought a soil ph meter and it says the soil is at 7.0. So I ph down to 6-6.5 trying to slowly get the soil to 6.3. I watered my plants and took the run off and ph tested that. It was still around 7.0.. Now from what I read if I put 6-6.5 ph water and the run off is 7.0ish that means my soil is around 7.5-8. If that is true how should I get the ph down?? What time frame should I be looking at.. Also just started feeding the plants as well.. Been about 4 weeks after planting from seed..
In my opinion if your runoff is 7 and you're not experiencing any problems with the plant, it's best to leave it alone. When the pH starts to swing rapidly, your plant will stress. I think 7 is acceptable. What kind of soil ph meter are you using? Most people go by the runoff.
I am using luster leaf brand digital soil ph meter.. If the run off is around 7 doesn't that mean the soil is around 7.5 -8 if the water ph 6-6.5?? The plant looks nice and green except the first two seeding leafs that come out they are yellow..
Well you said you tested the soil and it's at 7, and then the runoff tested at 7, so the soil must be at 7 Just keep pH'ing your water/nutes mix to about 6.5 and you'll be fine. PS...the first two leaves you're talking about are called cotyledons. They supplement the newborn seedling nutrients until it sprouts a first set of true leaves. Then the cotyledons start to die off as they no longer serve a purpose.
Cool thanks.. I figured them dying was normal because everything else looks amazingly green.. I am also looking to put a heating pad or pump heat into the tent.. I am around 65-58 and it I getting colder out. It is in my basement so very limited on how I can push into it.. Any thoughts?? Humidity is still mid 60s
If your feeding water is 6.0ph and runoff is 7ph then your soil is 6.5, right where you want it. As for your temp you want to try to get closer to 75(widely agreed as optimum temp) with the lights on and not cooler than 60 lights off. Too much more than that can cause stress.
Doesn't work that way. To the OP, why are you obsessed with the "soil pH" when measuring your runoff pH is all that matters? Your runoff reflects the interaction of your soil, water, nutes, amendments, etc -- which is what your plants are experiencing and thus is what you test and adjust based on.
I wouldn't say Obsessed but new to growing and want to make sure I am doing things correct. That and it is a lot of time I am putting in and to have the plants die because I did not do one thing correct would really piss me off..