Indoor I'm about to smash my ph pen..

[evol]

I just recently started using a ph pen and have successfully grown photos for years without one.
I have 3 auto's on day 58 and I am noticing that my ph in the soil runoff is 7.8 after I water with 6.5 water. I then tried to water again with 5.2 water but the runoff only went down 3 points (7.5). so then I ph'd the water to around 3.8 and wattered again but that only got the soil runoff ph to 7.0.

I know my ph pen works because I have calibration liquid and it is correct. what am I doing wrong?
I also corrected the ph in a few other plants that are much younger and found that the ph stabilizes correctly for the younger plants in the same soil...

 

[Duck Commander]

Takes a few days for the actual soil PH to correct itself... Give it a couple of days and check again its a ball ache to get used to and i prefer to not use mine and put my trust in the soil i use to buffer itself lol hope it sorts its self out for you bro:group:

 

[gradolabs]

Hate to sound like a salesman, but have you checked out soil ph meters? 60 bucks gets you this gem. I believe more than a few members here use this on a daily basis.

http://www.amazon.com/ACCURATE-SOIL-AND-MOISTURE-METER/dp/B00401CEH2

 

[evol]

I usually let the soil buffer itself out also but I just cant seem to get my autos as big as you guys are getting yours and its becoming very frustrating. I had no problems with photos getting fat buds but autos are a whole new ballgame. I really love the effects from autos and how fast they finish but so far it has been very frustrating I only pulled around 3oz from 4 plants on my first grow and this one isnt looking any better. I'm thinking maybe 1/2 - 1 oz from 3 plants.
I'm probably going to by an aeroponics system and try that with an additional light. taxes should be here in about month so I'm gonna go all out with a new setup. maybe I'll grab a soil ph meter too and do both side by side.
is PHing easier with hydro or aeroponics? I assume it would be because you just correct the water and not soil.

 

[Scott817]

What kind of soil are you using? Did you add anything to it?

One of the things to remember when making adjustments is only bad things happen fast so just keep an eye on it for a few days.

 

[Eekman]

I am a soil bufferer too. I have never checked my soils ph. But I don't have huge yeilds either but they are getting better all the time. I am trying a new soil amendment process this go round, and if you seem to be helped by a ph meter, I will try it. So I will stay posted.

Eek

 

[X]

what am I doing wrong?

Was there anything wrong with your plants?

 

[wg]

@testerx: I don't think he said there was, he said he's trying to increase his yields, but I think you're hinting at "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

@evol: it's never safe to water with a 3.8pH even though your goal was to lower your soils pH, you're still feeding the plant with that acidic water. If you want to lower your containers pH you should do it over time, like over the course of a week or two. What nutrient line and soil are you using? Do you have a journal? I see the breeding project post in your sig, but wanted to see if I could find the information without asking.. also the soil pH meter is a better than checking the run-off IMO. Muddy and JM (who grow monsters) swear by that soil pH meter.

 

[X]

but I think you're hinting at "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Well... yes. What I am about to say will be pure heresy to those who swear by their soil pH meters, and I am in no way challenging the science behind properly buffered soil, but... I bought a fairly expensive soil meter, about a year ago, just in case I ever saw a problem in a grow and wanted to check the soil pH. It is still in the box, unopened.

I am at a loss to understand how so many people start their grow with properly buffered soil mix, put in only properly buffered water and fert mixes, and have things get so far out of whack... I guess I'm just lucky all the time.

My "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" may sound too simplistic, but it not that far-fetched. I can't imagine a plant having a screwed up soil mix and still looking healthy. But, that's "X" rationale which is always worth scrutiny. X

 

[evol]

@Scott I'm using harvest organic potting mix. No amendments.

@testerx just want better yields. It's not "broke" but I feel like I'm nor getting the results I could be.

@whatsgoodie yeah I'm thinkin it was a bad idea. My girls don't even seem like they are drinking the water. Should I reflush with 6.5 water? Oh and I'm using fox farm trio.