Does adjusting the pH harm the plants grown in soil?

[greenops]

The last time I asked whether to adjust the pH - when watering either water only or water with Bio Canna - i was told to ph it.

I knew there were contradicting statements on this but somehow i was convinced to keep pHin, which I do all the time although it can be time consuming!

So now, I was looking for the actual Bio Canna recommended feeding schedule (attached) and below the chart it says:

Tips on using Canna Bio
• The above feeding schedule should be used as a guide only. You should look for signals from your plant
as to whether more or less feed is required.
• Do not adjust the pH of your nutrient solution when growing in soil. There is no need, and by adding
acids to your solution you will in fact harm the beneficial organisms present in your soil.
• Canna Bio works well with all major soil growing media available. We have seen exceptional results with
both Bio-Bizz All-Mix and Canna Professional Plus Soil Mixes
• The above recommended boosters and additives are suggestions only. Other organic boosters and
additives are available and will work equally as well with Canna Bio. Call the Technical Team on 0845
345 5176 for more info on what boosters can be used with Canna Bio.


I'm using Plagron's Grow Mix, which can't be too much different from Canna's soil.

So once and for all I wanna know whether to keep pHing the water or not? Thanks!

 

[Granger2]

greenops,
Here's my opinion. First, if what you're doing now is successful, don't change it. Second, I use Earth Juice successfully. Both EJ and BioCanna say the same thing about pH.

Problem with their recommendations about pH is that there are thousands of different tap waters out there. Mine is very alkaline, high pH, high lime.

I have found that I'm more successful, measured by yield and quality, when I keep close watch on pH. If you need pH Down, EJ's is Citric Acid, and isn't harsh. Just don't go to extremes. It's best to pH your water, then mix nutes. You can quickly learn to gauge where your water's pH needs to start for your final nute mix to be in range.

Remember what BioCanna sez, "feeding schedule should be used as a guide only." Good luck. -granger

 

[greenops]

I have to check if I can find EJ's pH Down.
Because I'm using the one from Hesi. It says on the label for Hydro and Coco. But the growshop guy told me it's good for soil too..
My last run with the Hesi was quality wise pretty good, so I guess it doesn't hurt?

 

[Warped1]

Your ph needs to be close for your growing style..in this case soil. If it drifts a little don't sweat it..keep it close. It's normal and some elements of your nutes are taken in by your plants at different ph's. Watch your plants, they'll tell you what they need.

 

[greenops]

Your ph needs to be close for your growing style..in this case soil. If it drifts a little don't sweat it..keep it close. It's normal and some elements of your nutes are taken in by your plants at different ph's. Watch your plants, they'll tell you what they need.

That's easier said than done. Out of the 5 strains I got going now, I got two that plants with about 50% yellow leaves. It started late in veg.. I gradually increased the nute strenght for those two plants, but the yellowing is still there now in 3rd week of bloom.

Got pictures in my sig. But the yellowing is mostly below the screen.

 

[Bobmonk388]

I will always check ph now after a disaster last grow I hadn't checked tap water ph for a long time as it has been 6.9 for years with nutes at full strength it drops to 6.4 this in soil was always fine then 4 weeks into flower plants began to yellow and got worse never having this problem before could not work out what was going on lolled like heat stress at first then p def the I finally checked tap water ph it was 8.2 phoned water supplier I was on a temp supply as they carried out maintenance crop fucked lesson learned

 

[FunkBomb]

I don't check pH because dolomite lime is in the soil mix. I use Pure Blend Pro Grow and Bloom (soil version) and never have problems. Water is from the tap.

-Funk