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Do I need to pH correct?

Rik

Rik

New member
Hey everyone! I am finishing up my first grow and am planning for my second. My first grow was a scrog with 2 GSC photos in FFOF soil with FF nutes, and I want my second grow to be a bit more laid back, a little less work. So, I am planning to do 2 OG Kush autoflowers from Nirvana Seed Shop grown in FFOF with Nature’s Living Soil:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TRYL6K7...ing=UTF8&psc=1

I just tested the pH of the tap water in my house and it is 10.6 which seems high. I’ve read that with organic living soil that I don’t have to pH correct my water, is that true even when the water pH is this high? And, if I do have to correct the pH, what is the best thing to use to bring the pH down for an organic super soil grow like this, and what pH should I target, 6.5?

I was hoping I wouldn’t have to pH correct the water but I have a feeling that won’t work out well. What do you guys think?
 
I think 10.6 is a bit high. You can use lemon juice to bring it down and baking soda to raise it.
 
Thanks for that! If I use lemon juice to lower it a few days before I water, does the effect last? I would like to mix a lot all at once so that I’m not mixing water quite so often.
 
Call the provider and ask what they PH the water to, mine is 7.0 +- a point or two. Make sure your tool is calibrated.
I use lemon or lime juice to kill chloramine (also chlorine) instantly in the tap water, then let it set 12 hours. The PH has climbed back to 7.1 (where that batch started) and I add Black Strap Molasses to again lower the PH, after 12 more hours it is still at ~6.5 (I run 6.3 - 6.7 for watering).
 
Great idea to ask the makers of the living soil, thanks! And good to know those details you listed, very helpful.
 
Great questions! I don’t have a ppm or ec meter, perhaps I should buy one. I never paid attention to anything other than the pH for my first grow.
 
Do You drink that water? Then it's probably low EC and doesnt matter what pH You put it in it will take whatever ph the soil is. If You dont drink it and causes taps and showers to accumulate white residue then You have hard water and then it is advice able to lower pH before using. pH down is Made from phosphoric and citric acid, both cheap and available as salts anywhere.
 
PH is important especially in the water. First and foremost make sure you have a fairly accurate PH tester. The reading of 10.6 may be due to the chemicals in the water so try aerating it overnight in an open bucket then test it in the morning. also remember that adding nutrients to water changes the PH as well so you have to test after the nutrients have been mixed in.

Not checking your PH means the plants may not be able to absorb nutrients. Using "hot" soil is kind of pointless if the plant can't absorb any of the nutrients in it.
 
I guess I should mention that the whole reason I asked this question is because of this part of the GWE tutorial on living soil:

https://www.growweedeasy.com/organic-super-soil#what-about-ph-organic-marijuana

and in particular, this part:

443C1971-0C01-4714-B85E-7E72E7873E7F.jpeg
 
Thanks dilvish for the advice! I know that pH adjustment is important with liquid nutes, but I was just hoping to avoid it with living soil. See my post directly below.
 
Just want to mention that in Ct that wouldn't be potable. If that's city water then you should say something. If it's a well then maybe some treatment. If it was a new well you wouldn't get a Certificate of occupancy or Co without treatment.
 
Do you mean having a pH that high wouldn’t be considered safe in CT? I don’t have a well, I live in metropolitan St. Louis in a fairly densely populated suburban area. I’ve drank water out of the tap in this area my whole life.
 
Yes it can go this way, until issues arrive. I put perlite in my living soil and the PH crashed to 4.0-4.8 range in all pots. The chemical reactions within the soil do need to be considered, I now PH my water.
 
The pH itself isn't harmful. It's what's causing it to be so high. It has to be extremely hard. And leaving lots of build up on the plumbing and fixtures.
 
The nutrients in the soil won't typically last more than a month or two so err on the side of caution with super or "hot" soils. Sometimes knowing exactly the amount of nutrients your plant is getting, when added to waterings, is a better option. This is why many soil growers opt to try coir without having to go to hydroponic.

"Set and forget" is a crap shoot with cannabis so the more diligent you are likely the better yield. Cannabis needs love not neglect !!
 
I’m only planning this living soil grow for a round of autoflowers, so hopefully they will be harvested before the nutrients run out. But based on the advice I’ve received here convinces me that I need to organically bring the pH down for my plain water.

Now I just have to decide exactly how I want to bring the pH down.
 
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