How to fix high pH for next grow? Please?

pamaris said:

Well I hope I get some response, because I'm on the other side of the world and everyone is asleep... anyway...

My past 2 grows have been in Batmix, with Biobizz nutes. My pH hovers at around 7.5. When I feed/ water I use pH down to correct the solution, so that my soil is around 6.8. The trouble is, it only stays at that level for 1-2 days- by the time I water again (usually ever 4-5 days) it has shot back up.

So I was wondering, is there anything I can use when mixing the soil that will stabilise the pH? Dolomite lime?

What about flushing? Is this something I should do regularly, as a matter of routine?

Or possibly, should I just correct the pH down a little more when I feed/ water- maybe to 6.2?

I have been moderately successful with my grows, and am happy with my soil and nutes; I just feel the plants haven't grown as quickly or as vigorously due to the high pH.

Thanks peeps.

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pamaris said:

Hi! Sorry I wasn't clear.

My soil pH reaches 7.5 about 2 days after feeding/ watering. I don't actually know what the pH of my feed solution is (I just have a soil tester); I just know that my soil is 6.8/6.9 after I feed/ water it. The soil inches up from 6.8 to 7.5 by the time the plants are due to be watered again. Should I just add more pH down so that the soil pH is 6.2-ish- then hopefully wouldn't inch over 7.0 by the time the next feed is due?

I was wondering if there was something I could add to the soil to make it more stable.

I am going to get a better pH meter for next time; I am just wondering the best way to control this in the future.

Thanks

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Ohsogreen said:

Dolimite lime for long term correction..... Instant Tea with lemon (Nestea Brand), the citric acid in it works great for bringing down pH. Mix three heaping tablespoons to one gallon of water. Give each plant, 16 ounces, pour it on the outside edge of the pot. The following day (24 hours later) check the soil pH and make adjustments as necessary. Always wait, until the next day to check pH (the reading will be more accurate that way). Always make small adjustments.
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Hope this helps....

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pamaris said:

Hi! Sorry I wasn't clear.

My soil pH reaches 7.5 about 2 days after feeding/ watering. I don't actually know what the pH of my feed solution is (I just have a soil tester); I just know that my soil is 6.8/6.9 after I feed/ water it. The soil inches up from 6.8 to 7.5 by the time the plants are due to be watered again. Should I just add more pH down so that the soil pH is 6.2-ish- then hopefully wouldn't inch over 7.0 by the time the next feed is due?

I was wondering if there was something I could add to the soil to make it more stable.

I am going to get a better pH meter for next time; I am just wondering the best way to control this in the future.

Thanks

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Picasso345 said:

And lime works great. Helps stabilize PH at 7.0. Go easy on it though - 1 tablespoon per gallon.

Just curious, is that 1 gallon of water or 1 gallon of soil?

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dipshwich said:

Picasso345 said:

And lime works great. Helps stabilize PH at 7.0. Go easy on it though - 1 tablespoon per gallon.

Just curious, is that 1 gallon of water or 1 gallon of soil?

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Soil. It gets mixed into the soil before you use it. Like mixing in perlite.

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Picasso345 said:

dipshwich said:

Soil. It gets mixed into the soil before you use it. Like mixing in perlite.

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So, if I have 5 gallon pots, and my pH has crept up (despite the lime added to the soil) can I top dress about 3 or 4 tbsp of lime? It's not hydrated, it's garden lime. (Or are they one and the same?) Either way, can I do that for longer term stability? I adjust at each feeding/watering, but it still seems to creep up there.

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thelastpirate said:

Picasso345 said:

So, if I have 5 gallon pots, and my pH has crept up (despite the lime added to the soil) can I top dress about 3 or 4 tbsp of lime? It's not hydrated, it's garden lime. (Or are they one and the same?) Either way, can I do that for longer term stability? I adjust at each feeding/watering, but it still seems to creep up there.

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That makes sense, but I have never tried it. A little lime mixed in one-time with the soil is all I've ever needed.

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Picasso345 said:

thelastpirate said:

That makes sense, but I have never tried it. A little lime mixed in one-time with the soil is all I've ever needed.

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I am not sure top dressing is going to help unless your soil is loose enough to carry the lime through. If you putting lime in, and you PH is creeping up. I would try and find out what the culprit is, and eliminate it. Or use more lime....to a point.

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