Grow Mediums PH for outdoor plants

[lavaman]

I live in area where the rain water is normally 7.0 all the time. My plants, 8- Barneys farm LSDs, 5 - AK48s and 1 Girl scout cookies, all autos, are seeds are starting indoors @ 6.5 ph for about 3 weeks than outside once they look strong enough.
I'm confused, how do I acclimate the girls from the 6.5 ph to the 7.0 they will be getting outside?
Thank you.

 

[Olde School Player]

Are you going container grow or straight - in - a - hole? But now that I think, probably no huge difference. Add 3/4 of a cup of dolomite lime (any garden store; get the FINE not coarse) and a cup of bone meal for each 5 gallons in the hole or in the container. This is a natural buffer and it won't over-adjust.

 

[lavaman]

Are you going container grow or straight - in - a - hole? But now that I think, probably no huge difference. Add 3/4 of a cup of dolomite lime (any garden store; get the FINE not coarse) and a cup of bone meal for each 5 gallons in the hole or in the container. This is a natural buffer and it won't over-adjust.

I use5 gal smart pots.

 

[Olde School Player]

OK, cool, a good soil amendment will take care of you. So you're growing outdoors but in pots, so I assume you will be hand watering your plants? The best advice I can give you is to find a way to control the amount of rain water that gets directly to your plants. Natural rain water is not going to cause serious problems for you chemically, but a good storm can surely beat the shit out of your girls. AND cause issues with bud rot if it rains too much. Under the overhang of your house, in a greenhouse (most of us wish ) or an improvised canopy, whatever it takes. With hand watering you can mix your nutes, balance pH, then water/feed with no concern of pH.

 

[d.t]

soil acts as a buffer, its not really a big deal like it is in hydro or coco. Suprised by the ph of your rainwater though, usually its more acidic which is perfect.

 

[DTOM420]

soil acts as a buffer, its not really a big deal like it is in hydro or coco. Suprised by the ph of your rainwater though, usually its more acidic which is perfect.

I collected some rainwater, out of a gutter, from a recent rain where I live and it tested 7.2pH. Now, we have a metal roof so maybe that has something to do with it. I figured it mixed with some ok the typically alkaline dust that was surely on the roof, raising it slightly. Wouldn’t rainwater naturally be a neutral 7pH? I’m trying to learn here - not being argumentative. Since rain is essentially distilled water I’m not sure where it would pick up acid or alkalinity except once it hit a surface where it could be contaminated with something that could effect pH.

 

[d.t]

That interesting, you sure ph meter is working right? Pretty sure world wide rain water is slightly acidic at around about 6 perfect for plants.

 

[DTOM420]

That interesting, you sure ph meter is working right? Pretty sure world wide rain water is slightly acidic at around about 6 perfect for plants.

Yeah, I’ve checked it and it jives with drop test also. Like I said, it could be the result of the alkaline dust on the roof gettin mixed in. I found an interesting page that explains why rainwater is typically more acidic: https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/71592/difference-in-ph-of-water-and-rainwater I learn something every day! Still, mine tests at 6.8-7 for whatever reason. Pretty typical of my luck, LOL!