riddleme
Well-Known Member
Flush it and feed it some real nutes, good dose of something with N in it
Plant Moisture Stress - Symptoms and Solutions
- Thread starter Uncle Ben
- Start date
robbie4door
Member
14 gallon pots thats a lot of water to flush
but got to do it
how much water do u think
but got to do it
how much water do u think
riddleme
Well-Known Member
I'd say a minimum of 20 gallons, 30 would be better
robbie4door
Member
so just keep dumping all through at once ??
riddleme
Well-Known Member
yeppers that is why it is called a flush, best to do it before they start flowering at least once, (won't hurt em)
I flush every time I water so I never worry about salt building up
robbie4door
Member
Ohh really every watering huh
I'll try that on my next closet grow
ot help with being new sounds like it would help with any over nutrient problems
wicked pissa thanks
I'll try that on my next closet grow
ot help with being new sounds like it would help with any over nutrient problems
wicked pissa thanks
Questions for Uncle Ben, or other "adult" growers:
I have a new grow space that is on well water. There is a thriving vegetable garden running off this water, but I decided to test it anyways.
Straight out of the tap the pH is around 8 and PPM are between 600 and 700.
Total alkalinity, using a high quality pool test kit, is around 600!
I am worried, using water this alkaline, that I will see too much rise in medium pH over time. I am growing in organic soil that has lots of peat, poops and minerals....and it has been limed to stabilize it.
I'm not trying to pH the water...I'm worried about bicarbonates building up over time and raising the medium pH. This water is very alkaline.
Are my worries unfounded?
I have a new grow space that is on well water. There is a thriving vegetable garden running off this water, but I decided to test it anyways.
Straight out of the tap the pH is around 8 and PPM are between 600 and 700.
Total alkalinity, using a high quality pool test kit, is around 600!
I am worried, using water this alkaline, that I will see too much rise in medium pH over time. I am growing in organic soil that has lots of peat, poops and minerals....and it has been limed to stabilize it.
I'm not trying to pH the water...I'm worried about bicarbonates building up over time and raising the medium pH. This water is very alkaline.
Are my worries unfounded?
DaveCoulier
Well-Known Member
Adding lime to your soil when you have alkaline water isn't the best idea. I found this website for you. It should help you out.
http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/HO/HO-242-W.pdf
I didn't add the lime, it comes that way.
GREAT LINK!
Now, considering my situation, how do you recommend I deal with it?
I can do the following:
Use RO water or a mix of RO and well
Use pH down
treat the soil with suplfur.
I what do you recommend?
riddleme
Well-Known Member
I would run the well water thru a charcol filter (I use Brita) and adjust the PH down (I use Apple Cider Vinegar) I have found that using the brita filter knocks a point off the ph. If you go RO you will need to suppliment Cal/Mag in most cases
DaveCoulier
Well-Known Member
Vinegar will lower the alkalinity of your well water. Id give that a try to see how much of an effect it has. If its not enough, then try a mix of ro and well water w/ the vinegar and see how well it works out.
Pretty much what I figured. I was going to mix RO and the well water, and add a bit of phosphoric acid.
I'll find a mix so I get the minerals at an acceptable level of alkalinity.
I was hoping you guys would say, "Pshaaaw!! Full steam ahead!"
cheesefish
Member
thanks for the post, will definately be coming back 
DaveCoulier
Well-Known Member
Not sure why I didn't think of this earlier, but another way to combat the alkalinity of your water is to use an acidic fertilizer. Ammonical Nitrogen will lower the ph of your soil over time, while Nitrate Nitrogen raises the ph.
Yup. I knew that.....but I grow with Osmocote Plus with good soil in some pots, and custom organic soil in others. I don't use WSF's.
I've dealt with the problem by mixing with RO and Ph'ing down to 5.8....that lowers the TA to about 60, which is acceptable.
I would use some sulfur, but I'm not experienced with it, and I really don't want to damage my crop.
Uncle Ben
Well-Known Member
Dave, just posted the same thing about Brita in CountryFarmer's thread. A point reduction is about right especially if high in bi-carbs. Brita filtered water would be perfect regarding his well water.
What I do before planting to drop the soil's pH:
1. Add quite a bit of peat moss,
2. Add granulated sulfur (pastules).
After planting:
1. Add/scratch in peat moss,
2. Add/scratch in about a Tblsp. of powdered sulfur to a 3-5 gallon pot,
3. Use acid foods like azalea, 21-7-7,
4. Use sulfate type salts - ammonium sulfate, iron sulfate, and finally,
5. Don't worry about it unless you can directly attribute some deficiency or imbalance to pH. Cannabis is very pH tolerant contrary to forum "popular' thought.
Run the tests - pH adjusted water does little to adjust the soil's pH on a long term basis. Soil is a powerful buffer.
If you must - an inorganic acid like sulfuric, phosphoric, or nitric is much more stable (effective) than an organic acid like citric. Adding it may (temporarily) change the top 1" or so but what have you got at the bottom of the pot where the majority of your feeder roots are located? A cheap source of sulfuric is battery acid from an auto parts store.
UB
What I do before planting to drop the soil's pH:
1. Add quite a bit of peat moss,
2. Add granulated sulfur (pastules).
After planting:
1. Add/scratch in peat moss,
2. Add/scratch in about a Tblsp. of powdered sulfur to a 3-5 gallon pot,
3. Use acid foods like azalea, 21-7-7,
4. Use sulfate type salts - ammonium sulfate, iron sulfate, and finally,
5. Don't worry about it unless you can directly attribute some deficiency or imbalance to pH. Cannabis is very pH tolerant contrary to forum "popular' thought.
Run the tests - pH adjusted water does little to adjust the soil's pH on a long term basis. Soil is a powerful buffer.
If you must - an inorganic acid like sulfuric, phosphoric, or nitric is much more stable (effective) than an organic acid like citric. Adding it may (temporarily) change the top 1" or so but what have you got at the bottom of the pot where the majority of your feeder roots are located? A cheap source of sulfuric is battery acid from an auto parts store.
UB