Low Runoff pH??

[JLM7291]

Hey Im watering my plants which are about a week into flowering with regular tap water at 6.74.

I realized my run off pH is around 5.55. Im growing in Fox Farms Ocean Forest. Should I flush untill I have a matching pH of the water I'm pouring in, or is a low run off normal?

 

[cannabisology]

Hey man my initial reaction would be that the natural breakdown activities taking place in your soil are breaking chemical bonds and releasing elements that are causing a lowered Ph but going down that low seems a bit extreme. If you are not having any problems I wouldn't panic but you may benefit from a calcium supplement to raise the Ph. In the field people use Lime to add calcium and raise the Ph. I believe that the breakdown of nitrogen in the soil can lower Ph. Anyway, keep an eye on the plants. Ph is definitely way more important in soil than in hydro so its good you are paying attention. Also keep in mind that the runoff water will contain all the built up salts from the previous watering so the Ph will be a little lower in most cases. Add some cal-mag if you like and check the ph after that.

P.S. Why are you not feeding? This whole organic let it be natural debate is goddamn bullshit. Hydroponic nutes come from the fucking earth straight from rocks. Instead of getting nutes from fish and bat shit, the plants get pure, technical grade minerals. Throw some Dyna Gro bloom and Mag-Pro in there and see what your plants are really capable of.

 

[JLM7291]

Thanks man,

Ya some of the leaves are getting these yellow and brown spots and drying up pretty bad. This is actually my first grow so I have no experience but there's definitely some nute lock out going on. Maybe Mg.

Anyways I'm going to get some dolomite lime tomorrow and mix it in with the soil and hopefully that will be effective. From now on Ill make sure to add it with my medium before I start the grow.

Oh and btw, I've been using nutrients. I have the 3 main ferts from Foxfarms, as well as AN Big Bud and Overdrive. I just meant I used strait water this specific time. I figured it'd be better to test the pH without nute added, but I'm not really sure tbh.

 

[cannabisology]

Testing after only watering with straight water could be deceptive because it basically acted as a flush and the 5.55 is a representation of all the nutes and salts that were in the soil. One way or another the ph seems low. You should get a soil ph tester and see what the ph of the actual soil is, as opposed to run off water. That will be most accurate. Also make sure you don't over water. The natural drying and wetting cycle is very important. Your roots need oxygen. Too much water and they will drown.