lowering soiless mixes ph

[Guest]

hello all this is my first post here on icmag.here we go.

i use a soilless mix that is made up of 5 parts PRO-MIX HP, 2 parts LIGHT WARRIOR, and 1 part perlite.

i took 3 different ph measurements, all were differents types of tests.

1) used rapitests little capsule test were you get soilless mix in the little mixer and add distilled water and break open the capsule and shakethen watch for color indicating ph i did this 2 times and both gave a reading at about 7 ph

2) took equal amounts of soilless mix and distilled water and mix it up and let it settle then with my hanna PHeP tester i took a reading which was 6.8 ph (did this 3 times)

3) used my control wizard soil probe meter with the 12" probe and it gave a reading of 6.8 ph.

the nutrients are AN's sensi 2 part + program with all recomended additives

i need to get my ph down to around 6.0-6.3. i was going to take clones from this mother thats in the 6.8 ph soilless mix, but i have to wait now because i DO NOT take cuttings unless the doner is 100% healthy and thrivivng.

should i add sulfer or aluminum sulfate. if so how much per 2 gallon container.

or should i use just a weak nute solution at like 5.5 ph or even plain water at 5.5 ph and doo this for a couple of waterings till it levels right.

either way i need almost imediate results casue im starting t o lose sleep over this. the plant is alright, but it is showing a little defficiancy in iron or magnesium.

i really love my wappa mother plant and want it to have a good life with correct ph so it could give me great cuttings. i am really emotionaly attached to this plant, as i write it love letters and tape them up in the grow chamber for her to read. lol. seriously! i also talk to it and give it little kisses on her fan leaves and such.

so as you can see guys i really like this plant mainly because it gives great buds and also since i started growing pot i have been able to kick a nasty heroin habit, ya know it keeps my mind busy and such.

any help is greatly needed keep in mind im not a noob to growing just a noob to planting mediums , as ive done hydro drain to waste b 4

 

[Wait...What?]

A little epsom salt and water solution in a spray bottle for a foliar feeding will help with the Mg deficiency.

As to what to use to lower your pH, here's a link that might prove useful:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/components/1731-05.html
They specifically warn against using aluminum sulfate as it can build up over time and possibly cause toxicity.

A little soil sulphur (bag of yellow powder) should cure what ails ya. Top dressing with epsom salts should give immediate sulfur, while the soil sulfur takes some time to break down. Perhaps repotting would help your sick plant.

 

[Guest]

Man, talk about loving your plant! Love notes? hmm... Anyways, did you add lime to your soilless mix?

 

[Guest]

nothing other than what was already in the pro-mix (lime and gypsum) and there is some oyster shell in the light warrior

5 parts pro mix hp, 2 parts light warrior, and 1 part perlite

i used some sensi cal mg mix as a foliar and added a little to some water and watered that was like 5 days ago when it needed watered. 2 days after that i took some ph readings and found that i was not lacking any nutrients, but they were locked out by the 6.8 ph. it is due for a watering today and i just bought some garden sulfer (elemental sulfer)

i was told by tech support to make a plain water solution at 5.5 ph and water with it. ive also been told to use aluminum sulfate and also been told to use garden sulfer.
also just now i was told to use epsom salts.

i got a lot of conflicting info as what is the sest way to do it. i was thinking of trying the low ph water thing but am thinking if its just water with a low ph that as soon as it gets in the soil the lime and gypsum and oyster shell will raise it too high. so

i was thinking of making a 1/4 strength nute solution with a ph of 5.5 and using that instead.

but if this will only lower the ph for a couple hours im stuck waiting for the soil to dry out again before i can try to remedy it again

like i said i added some sensi cal mg mix to the nutrient mix last time and im sure there is enough present and im worried that the epsom salts will make too much magnesium.

they are 2 gallon containers i just repotted on the first so thats not an option right now. if i were to use the epsom salts to lower the ph how much per 2 gal. container should i use and should i sprinkle it and water it down into the soilless mix or should i add it to water first and do it that way

 

[will21]

hi, do you use top soil or compost in your mix?

 

[Guest]

no just sphagnum and perlite and whatever is in the light warrior.


i just decided to transplant it into a bigger pot. i transplanted it into a 4.5 gal pot from a 2 gallon pot. but this time it was just pro mix hp and some extra perlite.

i think i have figured out why my ph is so "stuck" at 6.8 ph
i have been using barricade (potasium sillicate) everytime i watered and i think it is builing up in the mix and f'ing with the ph man i wish theyd warn you against these kinda things when i talk to their tech dept.