First time organics and have ph questions

[LinguaPeel]

Ph of water definitely matters. For example, if you mixed 3 cups of lime into a gallon of water, what do you think would happen to the soil when drenched? I ph every liquid that touches my pots between 5.5 and 6.5

Every source I've read/heard from says the salts in ph up and down products kill the microorganisms in the soil

Reality based statement: Liquid fish fertilizers contain around 3% phosphoric acid to keep the jugs from exploding due to anaerobic respiration. As soon as the acid is thinned below that point, ie mixed with water, the microbes wake back up. There's no way you'd use any where close to 3% phosphoric acid in your water.

Purpose of bubbling is to break down carbonic acid, which raises ph.

 

[PadawanWarrior]

So would anything below 6 be harmful?

I try not to go below that personally. It will anger some microbes and make others happy until the soil buffers it. The soil should buffer it almost instantly, but I don't like the idea. I occasionally use bottled nutes, but I use small doses and I try to keep it above 6.0. That's just my thoughts on it.

 

[Chrdymcdenis]

I've only just heard of bubbling. What products should I look at and whats the proper way to do it?

 

[PadawanWarrior]

I've only just heard of bubbling. What products should I look at and whats the proper way to do it?

Use a bucket with an air stone in it. I use a big Rubbermaid tub when I make teas, and then pump it to my plants. When I was bubbling Earth Juice, I'd always throw a handful of EWC in with it so it was kinda a tea everytime. I also removed the filter in the submersible pump so they kinda got a top dressing at the same time.

 

[Chrdymcdenis]

Thanks for this, sounds like it'll make my life a whole lot easier and plants a whole lot happier. What stone/ pump do you use? I want to make sure I get something good

 

[PadawanWarrior]

Thanks for this, sounds like it'll make my life a whole lot easier and plants a whole lot happier. What stone/ pump do you use? I want to make sure I get something good

How big do you want it. 5 gal bucket or a tote? Here's what I use. But I used buckets with a smaller air pump at first.
And here're the submersible pumps I use. A 160 for when I water with a bucket, and a 250 when I use the tote.

Active Aqua Submersible Water Pumps direct from Growers House

Active Aqua pump's poweful mag drive construction includes removeable foam filters, impellers, rubber mounting feet to reduce vibration, and a 6-foot heavy duty power cord. Adjust the pump's flow to get things moving at your preferred rate.

growershouse.com

 

[Chrdymcdenis]

Thanks for all the help, with all the info out there it can be a bit daunting

 

[PadawanWarrior]

Thanks for all the help, with all the info out there it can be a bit daunting

No problem. Top dressing is much easier, and much less work. I haven't even made a tea in over 3 months now. I don't even remember the last time. I've been top dressing and using pretty much water only. I'd get some EWC or vermicompost and some dry amendments. There are lots of ready mixes out there. Fox Farms even has some good organic dry ferts.

 

[philosostoner]

You're better off with potassium bicarbonate since it doesn't have the sodium that baking soda has.

Ohhh thanks for the pro tip!

 

[Medskunk]

I have the same ph on my tap water 8.4 so id ph down with lemon till it was around 7.7 to water.
With the soils default ph at 6.6 and the watering ph at 7.5- 7.8 the soil ph was stuck at 6.9- 7 for months.
Everytime id ph down under 6.8 id get some yellowing.
So i think you should Ph down with moderation rather than none at all.

 

[jimmytownbound]

When brewing a tea do use a “tea bag” or do the ecw and what not go straight in the water?

 

[PadawanWarrior]

When brewing a tea do use a “tea bag” or do the ecw and what not go straight in the water?

I don't use a bag. I just throw them in. I also removed the little filters in my submersible pumps.

 

[jimmytownbound]

Thank you