I'm using 3 gallon pots and there only just turned 4 weeks. So they should start drinking more I would presume very soon. I do water until runoff. I ihave a hose attached to my sink. I turn it on low and water for a total of 5 min. I tested ppm yesterday. The worst at of all of them consumed the most amount of nutes! What you think is the deal with that. Around 550ppm I believe. I had another around 590ppm and the other two were like 700-800 ish. I didn't give nutes. In prev experience with autos if I give nutes now I'm gonna burn them. I transplanted during week two so I suspect they have atleast another week or two. Im thinking by next feed I'm gonna try with 1/4 dose of fox farm trio with some cal mag. Is it ok to water with plain water first so that I can get my ppm reading, then if I see They eat quite a bit, is it ok to then feed them with nutes?
They should snap out of it.
I think plain water is best, until they start to look better. Then feed them. But it's up to you.
I wouldn't trust the numbers you're getting in the runout water, because it's soil, not inert media.
It may be easy to test ph, but I never figured out how to fix a ph issue. Can you just use ph up or down?
It isn't that easy in your case. You can't rely on the runout water, either, it's inaccurate.
If you're curious about pH, test the pH properly, but don't act on it straight away, consider the variables first.
Most potting mixes are adequately buffered already.
You can test the topsoil, but it's probably the soil further down causing problems if pH is out.
And, you need to take a soil sample, to test with soil pH kit, or make slurry with soil and distilled water to test with pen.
The soil pH kits are best.
It's more difficult to correct a pH problem in soil, because you can't just adjust your input pH, you must buffer the soil.
So to determine what buffer or amendment you need, you must first accurately determine pH.
Also, keep in mind, pH crashes in particular are often the result of stagnant water, aka overwatering.
I'd put it out there overwatering is responsible for most of the problems we experience.
From lockouts, overfeeding and pH problems, to root rot and disease.
I recommend adding more aeration and drainage to your potting mix next-time.
It'll better allow the soil to drain, avoiding build-up and/or overwatering.
And it'll allow you to water or feed more often.
A week seems a bit long for a 3 gallon.