New Grower Soil PH

[brd1984]

hi,

I have a quick question please.

My soil mix is a good potting soil, perlite and bone meal.

Its reading 7.2 at the min

How can i get it down? to 6.5-6.8??

I was thinking adding Apple Cider Vinegar to water to getting it to that 6.5 then watering the soil like that?

 

[beenjammin]

Do the pots size of water @5.8ph then do double the pots size in water at 6.5ph . You should be good with that.

 

[namvet25]

I would use plain vinegar not apple cider.Your not that far off so very little should help.

 

[Muddy]

Yes, distilled white vinegar, not cider.

 

[brd1984]

thanks guys i did a proper test with a small amount of soil in some water and it read 6.8..... So i will adjust the ph of my water in accordance prob make it roughly 6.3 ish so its optimal.

 

[stoking]

I have to say as long as soil is not over 7.5 on the ph, with my 7x7 pots, I just fill pot, add seed and water.

Being a lazy man at heart I have not seen anything make me do anything otherwise. When the plant begins taking hold and eating nutrients in the soil, and my 2-3 waterings feedings a week, it dont long through the grow to force the soils ph to a level of 6.2-6.5. watching the plant I give it anything it looks like its suffering from and say screw extra work.

In the early stages of the seedling devloping and early adjusted waterings, I check run off and thats it. the 10% run off or more with proper phed water has put many of my pots soil back to 6.3 area before plant even took a good hold.

Hasnt failed me yet, and as said over time water alone will lower the soil. Just my .02 cents.

I will add, at times in later growth, my laziness really pops in and at times I use tap water un phed and call it good.

 

[brd1984]

lol i like your honesty.

As i say my biggest concern is the soil doesnt dry very quick in the colder climate. Im almost thinking of say 30ml of water every 2 days so it doesnt saturate the roots

 

[Muddy]

If you soil isn't drying as fast as you'd like add extra perlite to it next grow. When you feed you want to water the plant completely so that about 10% runs out the bottom of the pot. If not you may not get water to all your roots, plus you could get salt buildup in your soil as a bi product of nutrients being broken down. The run off helps to keep them flushed out.

lol i like your honesty.

As i say my biggest concern is the soil doesnt dry very quick in the colder climate. Im almost thinking of say 30ml of water every 2 days so it doesnt saturate the roots

 

[brd1984]

Cheers for that. My plants aren't in there big pots yet how much perlite do u think at the min there is prob about a quater in there??

 

[Waira]

Recommendations on concentration anybody? My soil could use a little tweaking too,... or do I just add it slowly until I get to a certain pH, say low 6's?


<update> Ahh, found some info from good ol' Jorge's book: start with 1 tsp/gal, let it sit for a few minutes, recheck pH; should drop a full point from starting pH; add or dilute accordingly.....