pH and nutrient problems in organic soil

Chrisz0825

Active Member
This is my first organic grow and the soil I went with is coast of maine pro mix. From what I read, with organic soils there is no need for nutes or adjust ph. I'm also using ro water which as we all know, strips calcium and magnesium from the water. I have two girls, one pineapple express and one blue dream about 5 wks old. They were doing great up until about a wk ago or so. Now they seems to be having some ph problems as well as what I think calmag would resolve. So I'm thinking maybe I should go ahead and adjust my ph from now on and add some calmag. But would I go ahead and adjust to 6.5 or since I'm using organic soil should I offset it a little? Same with calmag. Should I use less? Why am I having these issues? With water only organic soil, I don't feel I should have to add anything but water. I'm really trying to steer clear of chemicals because I want a totally organic harvest. Is there any organic ways around adjusting ph and adding calcium and magnesium? Should I just use tap water? I'm lost here
 

RustyShacklefurd

Well-Known Member
I was using tap water up until recently i switched to distilled, and most of the small issues i was having with ph have disappeared, and i was bringing my tapwater down to 6.5 everytime and letting it sot out for 24 hrs

Strictly distilled from now on, no need to ph just use it
 

Rasta Roy

Well-Known Member
Bagged organic soils crap out on you after about five weeks like you're experiencing. You need to top dress with something. My personal preference in that situation would be worm castings, neem seed meal, and kelp meal. Alfalfa meal is also a good choice. An all purpose organic fertilizer blend would do the trick as well. There's a million out there.
 

Chrisz0825

Active Member
Bagged organic soils crap out on you after about five weeks like you're experiencing. You need to top dress with something. My personal preference in that situation would be worm castings, neem seed meal, and kelp meal. Alfalfa meal is also a good choice. An all purpose organic fertilizer blend would do the trick as well. There's a million out there.
I ordered some organic plant food from coast of maine. Specifically designed for the soil I have. I just got it in today so next time I water I'm gonna top dress the soil
 

RayRay747

Well-Known Member
I ordered some organic plant food from coast of maine. Specifically designed for the soil I have. I just got it in today so next time I water I'm gonna top dress the soil
Hey Chris - how did that COM organic plant food treat that plants? I also have some and will begin to use it this upcoming week. Also, are you ph'ing the water before feeding? I also dont think I should have to pH the water but my pH drops to around 4.8-5.0 and I just dont see how that is a good thing to feed that plants with.
 

MustangStudFarm

Well-Known Member
Is there any organic ways around adjusting ph and adding calcium and magnesium?
Rock Dust!!! Use a combination of a few different kinds like Basalt and Glacial rock dust. Azomite is high in Aluminum, so I skip that one. If you are good on trace minerals then use dolomite and oyster shell flour together...
 
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