How to reduce PH in soil

[Microwido]

I tested my soil mixture today, and found that it was at about a 7.8. From what I have read that is high. I am guessing I will just water log it with no nutes for a few weeks and that should lower the ph some. I know you are not supposed to over water plants, but how else would I lower the PH levels? Any input appreciated.

P.S. I am not re-mixing my soil or transplanting etc.. Should I add lime to my water mix or something? Thanks.

 

[Eli Bloom]

find a fertilizer that contains sulfur or ammonium sulfate (ammonium-N) which is an acid forming source of nitrogen. i was just looking around on google and found one that looks good by acompany called simplot...it's 24-0-0 and contains both sulfur and ammonium sulfate. check it out http://www.simplot.com/agricultural/plant/upload/Ammon_Sulfate2100.pdf
that's just the first one i found but look around for ammonium sulfate, it will lower your soil's ph, provide nitrogen, and do it all without transplanting!

 

[Maj.PotHead]

2 tsp dolimite lime per gal soil used as top of soil dressing then gently water into soil, this will make your runoff 7.0-7.2 no matter what PH water gose in.
most of the time i use good soil fox farm ocean forrest its PH ballanced 5.5-6.5 when i use generic soil that isnt buffered i use the dolimite lime crushed or prilled from local garden shop.

 

[Microwido]

OK my plan is to buy a 5lb bag of dolimite lime and apply as you described

5lb Dolimite Lime 17$ shipped


My babies look so damn healthy I don't think the slightly high PH will play too big of a role.

I grew outside once at a Pine tree nursury. The soil was extremely acidic, it was like 4.5 (brown in PH tester) or something and the plant grew fine.

 

[Guest]

You are making a BIG mistake if you lime that already "sweet" soil. If the pH is 7.8, why make it even HIGHER by adding more lime? That is just plain dumb.

You go ask anyone over on the sick plant forum.

What, exactly, is in your soil? Did you make it from scratch? Or did you buy something like Ocean Forest and amend it?

pedro



http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=80097

 

[ThereIsHope]

Dolomitic lime is the shit for PH control in soil. Follow the directions and you are done.

 

[gnarly]

2 tsp dolimite lime per gal soil used as top of soil dressing then gently water into soil, this will make your runoff 7.0-7.2 no matter what PH water gose in.
most of the time i use good soil fox farm ocean forrest its PH ballanced 5.5-6.5 when i use generic soil that isnt buffered i use the dolimite lime crushed or prilled from local garden shop.

strange thing.. i run straight FFOF and it comes out 7.0 every time.. I've added 6.3, 6.0, 5.8, 5.3, and 4.8 to it and it always comes out 7.0-7.1.

wtf.com?

 

[Microwido]

You are making a BIG mistake if you lime that already "sweet" soil. If the pH is 7.8, why make it even HIGHER by adding more lime? That is just plain dumb.

You go ask anyone over on the sick plant forum.

What, exactly, is in your soil? Did you make it from scratch? Or did you buy something like Ocean Forest and amend it?

pedro



http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=80097

My soil is not acidic at all, its too Alkaline. Adding Dolimite lime will make it more acidic, which is what I apparently need. My plants are 100% healthy so I am also considering just leaving it alone. I am using Miracle grow/Experts Soil/Sand/Perlite mix that has worked well for me in the past.

 

[tokeitup1]

strange thing.. i run straight FFOF and it comes out 7.0 every time.. I've added 6.3, 6.0, 5.8, 5.3, and 4.8 to it and it always comes out 7.0-7.1.

wtf.com?

yea, wtf is right. I get the same results. I added ph down to it, and it stayed solid at 7. I was beginning to think my ph meter was broken. It never moved. Haha, but then it went to 7.2 in one of them so i know it works...plus the plants are green. ffof is good stuff

 

[inflorescence]

Just mix up some floranova in ro water. That shit won't be anywhere near 7.0

 

[Maj.PotHead]

Dolomitic lime is the shit for PH control in soil. Follow the directions and you are done.

 

[Buzz Lightyear]

If your ph is high, you don't add lime.

Sprinkle on top of the pot 3/8 teaspoon powdered sulfur per gallon of soil mix. Water in. Repeat in a few weeks if ph is still high.

 

[ackuric]

advanced nutrients makes a product called ph up and ph down, very good stuff, 1 drop will take your ph down about .5 in a gallon of water. I think its 20$ for a Litre of the stuff.

 

[Guest]

I have never seen such nonsense in my life.

You guys who think adding lime to a soil mix that already has a "runoff" pH of 7.8 are beyond any help I can give.

Have fun

pedro

 

[Tactical Farmer]

Adding Dolimite lime will make it more acidic,

You got it backwards bro...

Its VERY hard to undo too much lime in an alkaline soil mix.

 

[Microwido]

Ok so now I am more confused after reading all of this. I have read that Dolomite lime will DECREASE The ph in the soil. (Akaline is high PH, acidic is low pH, I think some of you have it backwards) All sources say this, I dont know what your talking about BUZ or Tactical, please show something to backup your statements.

 

[Tactical Farmer]

Im 100% sure man - Lime is a PH up NOT a PH down...



Lime will make your alkaline problem worse & thats a fact...

* I did a quick search to help you out but didnt find anything clearly written. I figure its just common knowledge.

Im sure more people will chime in to help set ya strait..

 

[Microwido]

Yup, your right, Dolomite lime INCREASES ph, making it less acidic. WTF you guys pointed me in the wrong direction lol. So

"In most cases, the pH can be lowered simply by using fertilizers containing ammonium-N (Table 1). Ammonium sulfate and sulfur-coated urea are two of the best choices for acidifying soils. Most specialty fertilizers for "acid-loving" plants contain ammonium sulfate or sulfur-coated urea. These are popular sources of nitrogen for azaleas and blueberries."

 

[Eli Bloom]

yeah man, check that link i posted earlier...or, how far in are they? because if they look healthy as you said, and they're in flower then it shouldn't be a problem. but if they're still just in veg, the high ph may create problems later on with decreased nutrient uptake and maybe salt buildups, which you don't want...but maybe you could use beneficial bacteria like EA EN to help break up the nutes...i'd probably try a sulfur or ammonium-N nute though.

 

[T.Baggins]

i called fox farms yesterday and they said their soils are ph bufferd between 6.3 and 6.8......