PH Question

[Compax]

Hi all

I'm growing in Plant Magic compost with BioBizz nutrients.

I've been led to understand that soil buffers PH and I therefore needn't worry about adjusting it.

How true is that? The reason I'm asking is due to what I call the 5-week wall. My plants tend to display the symptoms of PH fluctuation at around 5 weeks into flower and I struggle to do much about it from there on.

My tap water has a PH of 7 and I live in a hard water area (274mg/1CaCo3).

I'm beginning to wonder if the soil isn't buffering the PH in the way I'd been led to believe. How important is it for me to PH balance the water before using with compost?

 

[_tessarecting]

Collect runoff, take a pH reading, this should give you some insight into if you need to make adjustments from there

 

[Compax]

Thanks, I'll give that a go.

Any idea how much soil is able to buffer the PH?

 

[corky1968]

Just do know that no matter what your initial pH is at that
any nutrients that you add will tend to drive it the pH down.

For example:

Let say your water is pH 7.5 and you decide that you want to lower it to pH 6.2.
Don't bring it to pH 6.2 and start adding nutrients. Because you will probably end
up overshooting and end up going below your target range of pH 6.2. Just slowly
edge your way to what you want over time.

Aka: Go slow with pH changes. Too fast = lots of stress.

 

[jedi5891]

If your feeding them alot without any plain water and flushing, then salts can build up and cause a lock out. In soil I feed every couple of days with water In between and a good flush every 4-6 weeks.
I used to get problems around 4 to 5 weeks into bloom until I started adding cal-mag. Either way flush them out wait until dry and start with half strength feed and build back up.
Good luck
Peace
Namaste

 

[Compax]

That's really useful, thanks guys

With regards to the CalMag, is it ok to use with BioBizz nutes?

 

[jedi5891]

That's really useful, thanks guys

With regards to the CalMag, is it ok to use with BioBizz nutes?

I don't see why not

 

[Compax]

I don't see why not

OK, thank you.

 

[Floridian]

What you really need is an r/o filter,then worry about PH.I live with calcified water and when I made the switch the results were evident.Ill bet that what you think is a ph problem ais really a buildup of calcium and salts.Too much calcium and you plants cant intake magnesium.Get an r/o joe