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Did not want to start another thread since this is the same topic. I hope this adds to the discussion! I think it is a valid experiment and look forward to folks input about what I found. I looked at the info presented in this thread, especially about adjusting the pH of my soil. This is what I decided to do to validate.
Soil experiment:
Soil experiment today. Very interesting and kind of close to my hypothesis.
Reason for experiment: To determine pH of soil mixture. I have read articles regarding soil pH and methods of correcting it. Want to be sure my soil pH is in the proper range for growing autos. I have also read that depending on the pH of the run off water you can determine soil ph and adjust accordingly.
Hypothesis: It is my belief that the soil mix I use is buffered to adjust to a certain pH regardless of pH of water used, within certain limits.
Method: I mixed my current blend of two parts each of Fox Farms Happy Frog and ProMix Ultimate with one part Perlite. Calibrated my pH meter (needed it, it was .2 to high). I used two 1.25 liter planters with small drain, one gallon of filtered tap water, Hydrofarms pH down solution.
Tested water, 60 F at pH 7.2 Filled two planters with soil mix. Watered first container until run off occurred, continued until 500ml of runoff after 4 minutes. Added 250ml of water and collected runoff. Measured runoff, pH was 6.0. Using pH down brought rest of the unused water to a pH of 4, a bit lower than I wanted but what the heck! Repeated watering sequence on second planter. The collected runoff measured pH 5.8.
Water in at pH 7.2 runoff is pH 6.0 a -1.2 difference. Water in at pH 4.0 runoff is pH 5.8 a +1.8 difference.
Conclusion: Soil is buffered! It will accommodate a wide range of pH water and maintain a pH of about 6.0.
Soil experiment:
Soil experiment today. Very interesting and kind of close to my hypothesis.
Reason for experiment: To determine pH of soil mixture. I have read articles regarding soil pH and methods of correcting it. Want to be sure my soil pH is in the proper range for growing autos. I have also read that depending on the pH of the run off water you can determine soil ph and adjust accordingly.
Hypothesis: It is my belief that the soil mix I use is buffered to adjust to a certain pH regardless of pH of water used, within certain limits.
Method: I mixed my current blend of two parts each of Fox Farms Happy Frog and ProMix Ultimate with one part Perlite. Calibrated my pH meter (needed it, it was .2 to high). I used two 1.25 liter planters with small drain, one gallon of filtered tap water, Hydrofarms pH down solution.
Tested water, 60 F at pH 7.2 Filled two planters with soil mix. Watered first container until run off occurred, continued until 500ml of runoff after 4 minutes. Added 250ml of water and collected runoff. Measured runoff, pH was 6.0. Using pH down brought rest of the unused water to a pH of 4, a bit lower than I wanted but what the heck! Repeated watering sequence on second planter. The collected runoff measured pH 5.8.
Water in at pH 7.2 runoff is pH 6.0 a -1.2 difference. Water in at pH 4.0 runoff is pH 5.8 a +1.8 difference.
Conclusion: Soil is buffered! It will accommodate a wide range of pH water and maintain a pH of about 6.0.
