Pro Mix hp help please? - Cannabis Infirmary - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

Gamera · 08-05-2005, 12:17 PM

Hello family. I recently started using Promix hp instead of Fox Farm Ocean Forest and so far it's a wonderful thing. Except I'm getting these rust colored spots on some of the plants. I'm using Botanicare Pure Blend Pro grow and bloom with Cal Mag as directed or less. I'm adjusting all feed to 5.8 - 6 ph. I test ph with 2 probes and for the most part they're around 6.8 - 7 ph. I'd like to get it lower but the Promix seems to have a ph buffer that holds it around 7. I mixed some water at 4 ph, watered one bag and tested the ph as an experiment and still got 7. I'm using Natural PH Down. Whatcha think? here's some pix of the rust.

08-05-2005, 02:56 PM

Have you always used PBP. I use it also and I also use the EA natural Ph up and down. When I mix my nutes, also as directed I adjust the ph before applying to the plants. I don't always use what I mix the first day so I check the ph and adjust again because the ph always rises back to what it was before I adjusted it the first time. I hope all that made sense. What I am trying to say is check it every time because it will rise back up if you don't use it all. I don't use Promix Hp, I just use the Premier Hort Peat Moss and add lot's o perlite. The only difference is they add dolomite lime and a wetting agent and maybe in your case (Pro-Mix HP) a starter fert.

I feel kinda funny telling you all of this. From looking at your pics you don't have that many problems. You will figure it out, you are a good grower. Very Good.

Good Luck.

Mo,

08-05-2005, 03:49 PM

Check the label on your pro-mix. It should have Dolamite Lime. If it doesn;t you need to add some. This lowers the ph of the soil. My water goes in at 7.0 and comes out 5.8-6.0.

shopvac · 08-05-2005, 03:55 PM

smokey...lime doesnt lower the ph of the soil unless its waaay above 7. lime is neutral at 7 and always tries to pull to it.

it would be the peat that drags ph down i believe

08-05-2005, 04:22 PM

A soil pH of 7 is just fine

SOMA SAYS = a neutral soil stays around a pH of 7 - when we feed at a pH of 6 - as the water dries - moving from bottom to top - the pH moves from the pH of 6 we feed at to a pH of 7 the soil stays at - this gives a small pH drift (6 to 7) that is good for the plant.

The acidity or alkalinity of the soil is measured by pH (potential Hydrogen ions). Basically it's a measure of the amount of lime (calcium) contained in your soil, and the type of soil that you have. A soil with a pH lower than 7.0 is an acidic soil and one with a pH higher than 7.0 is considered to be alkaline. A pH of 7.0 is neutral.

Raising soil pH: (to make it more alkaline)
it is generally easier to make soil mixes more alkaline than it is to make them more acidic. The addition of dolomite lime, hardwood ash, bone meal, crushed marble, or crushed oyster shells will help to raise the soil pH.

Lowering soil pH : (to make it more acidic)
If your soil needs to be more acidic, sawdust, composted leaves, wood chips, cottonseed meal, leaf mold and especially peat moss, will lower the soil pH.

Adjust soil pH slowly over several days time, and check pH often as you go. Radical changes in pH may cause osmotic shock damage to the roots.

08-05-2005, 08:33 PM

Hello i use promix hp also its great stuff...I have seen these spots and attribute it to over feeding or a micro nutrient deficiency..But since your using a fully chelated nutrient i highly doubt its a deficiency.. So i narrowed down to over feeding.. Pro mix and peat in general has a high cation exchange and tends to hold on to nutrients.So i allways feed feed flush to clear out any excess build up ..Pro mix has dolimite and calcitic lime as a ph buffer and has a slight nutrient kick start so try not to feed for a week or so after transplant...

Hope it helps a little
take care
GreenFriend

Gamera · 08-06-2005, 06:20 AM

I'm honored and pleased to have such excellent growers offer a hand. I think this is the 2nd time I've asked for help.

Bigmo-I only started with promix and PBP about 4 months ago. Rez recomended the Promix and GH 3 part. In trying yo stay organic I chose the PBP. I check the ph every watering with nutes and I have the mix down for plain water. I really don't think I'm that good of a grower. You only have seen the best until now. I've been at it for 5 years now and have made tons of mistakes. I guess that's how you learn right? Thanks though.

Smokey-I checked and it does have lime. Do you test the runoff? I've been using a probe. Thanks.

Shopvac-thanks for the lime info.

Fredster-Thanks for the excellent info. I've been adding a quarter tsp of natural down to 5 gal. of water to get 5.9. Then I probe it and it's still 7. The only reason I'm trying to get it at 5.8-6ph is for the diesels. Others seem to like the 6.8-7ph.

Greenfriend-I (think) I'm a light nute person but who knows. I usually use half of directed so it's probably a lockup. I just read Crazy Composer's article about Promix and I'm going to try the Epsom salts. I think I'm gonna try flushing more as well. The only info I've found about rust colored spots is calcium deficiency. Off to flushing.

Thanks again all and talk at you soon.
Gamera
ps. I do have the GH 3 part ready and I'm going to try it on a couple.

bartender187 · 08-06-2005, 06:51 AM

Hey Gamera... im growin in a similar mix... Pro Mix... using Pure Blend Orginal... ive had a similar problem...

way before it got bad...

after i treated them with Cal-Mag and Seaweed(blue bottle with added Iron) *bluevelvet mentioned it might be a micronute/Iron issue

Gamera · 08-06-2005, 05:05 PM

I'm starting to think that promix and pbp are a bad combo. I've been using calmag the whole time. 1tsp/gal.. I think you're talking about Maxicrop right? I love that stuff and the fish juice too. Makes your grow smell like Thai food. Maybe I should try Calmag and Maxicrop, and then Calmag and Budswell? I'm and old hand with those in soil.

08-06-2005, 06:11 PM

I see a lot of growers have had problems with Pure Blend Pro. I also use Pro Mix because it stabilizes the Ph to neutral. One thing I've found that counteracts the neutralizer is an aquarium product called Discus Buffer that resets the "neutral" point to 5.8-6.8 depending on how much you use. If you're not fond of chemical nutes I dunno of any organics that accomplish the same thing - there must be a way to cancel the 7.0 buffer of PM and lower it.

I'd cease the Pure Blend Pro in the future, or use a soil mix recipe to homebrew for the pots for the diesel runs.

Will be watching to note your results! Good luck and we're all pulling for U.

08-05-2005, 12:17 PM	#1
Gamera Life in the Air Age Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tokeyo Posts: 685	Pro Mix hp help please? Hello family. I recently started using Promix hp instead of Fox Farm Ocean Forest and so far it's a wonderful thing. Except I'm getting these rust colored spots on some of the plants. I'm using Botanicare Pure Blend Pro grow and bloom with Cal Mag as directed or less. I'm adjusting all feed to 5.8 - 6 ph. I test ph with 2 probes and for the most part they're around 6.8 - 7 ph. I'd like to get it lower but the Promix seems to have a ph buffer that holds it around 7. I mixed some water at 4 ph, watered one bag and tested the ph as an experiment and still got 7. I'm using Natural PH Down. Whatcha think? here's some pix of the rust. __________________ "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all." Helen Keller
	Quote

08-05-2005, 02:56 PM	#2
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Have you always used PBP. I use it also and I also use the EA natural Ph up and down. When I mix my nutes, also as directed I adjust the ph before applying to the plants. I don't always use what I mix the first day so I check the ph and adjust again because the ph always rises back to what it was before I adjusted it the first time. I hope all that made sense. What I am trying to say is check it every time because it will rise back up if you don't use it all. I don't use Promix Hp, I just use the Premier Hort Peat Moss and add lot's o perlite. The only difference is they add dolomite lime and a wetting agent and maybe in your case (Pro-Mix HP) a starter fert. I feel kinda funny telling you all of this. From looking at your pics you don't have that many problems. You will figure it out, you are a good grower. Very Good. Good Luck. Mo,
	Quote

08-05-2005, 03:49 PM	#3
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Check the label on your pro-mix. It should have Dolamite Lime. If it doesn;t you need to add some. This lowers the ph of the soil. My water goes in at 7.0 and comes out 5.8-6.0.
	Quote

08-05-2005, 03:55 PM	#4
shopvac Bingasaurus Rex Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Down in the Fern Gully Posts: 432	smokey...lime doesnt lower the ph of the soil unless its waaay above 7. lime is neutral at 7 and always tries to pull to it. it would be the peat that drags ph down i believe __________________ ~~<><><>//::RIP HUNTER S. Thompson::\\<><><>~~
	Quote

08-05-2005, 04:22 PM	#5
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	A soil pH of 7 is just fine SOMA SAYS = a neutral soil stays around a pH of 7 - when we feed at a pH of 6 - as the water dries - moving from bottom to top - the pH moves from the pH of 6 we feed at to a pH of 7 the soil stays at - this gives a small pH drift (6 to 7) that is good for the plant. The acidity or alkalinity of the soil is measured by pH (potential Hydrogen ions). Basically it's a measure of the amount of lime (calcium) contained in your soil, and the type of soil that you have. A soil with a pH lower than 7.0 is an acidic soil and one with a pH higher than 7.0 is considered to be alkaline. A pH of 7.0 is neutral. Raising soil pH: (to make it more alkaline) it is generally easier to make soil mixes more alkaline than it is to make them more acidic. The addition of dolomite lime, hardwood ash, bone meal, crushed marble, or crushed oyster shells will help to raise the soil pH. Lowering soil pH : (to make it more acidic) If your soil needs to be more acidic, sawdust, composted leaves, wood chips, cottonseed meal, leaf mold and especially peat moss, will lower the soil pH. Adjust soil pH slowly over several days time, and check pH often as you go. Radical changes in pH may cause osmotic shock damage to the roots.
	Quote

08-05-2005, 08:33 PM	#6
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Hello i use promix hp also its great stuff...I have seen these spots and attribute it to over feeding or a micro nutrient deficiency..But since your using a fully chelated nutrient i highly doubt its a deficiency.. So i narrowed down to over feeding.. Pro mix and peat in general has a high cation exchange and tends to hold on to nutrients.So i allways feed feed flush to clear out any excess build up ..Pro mix has dolimite and calcitic lime as a ph buffer and has a slight nutrient kick start so try not to feed for a week or so after transplant... Hope it helps a little take care GreenFriend
	Quote

08-06-2005, 06:20 AM	#7
Gamera Life in the Air Age Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tokeyo Posts: 685	I'm honored and pleased to have such excellent growers offer a hand. I think this is the 2nd time I've asked for help. Bigmo-I only started with promix and PBP about 4 months ago. Rez recomended the Promix and GH 3 part. In trying yo stay organic I chose the PBP. I check the ph every watering with nutes and I have the mix down for plain water. I really don't think I'm that good of a grower. You only have seen the best until now. I've been at it for 5 years now and have made tons of mistakes. I guess that's how you learn right? Thanks though. Smokey-I checked and it does have lime. Do you test the runoff? I've been using a probe. Thanks. Shopvac-thanks for the lime info. Fredster-Thanks for the excellent info. I've been adding a quarter tsp of natural down to 5 gal. of water to get 5.9. Then I probe it and it's still 7. The only reason I'm trying to get it at 5.8-6ph is for the diesels. Others seem to like the 6.8-7ph. Greenfriend-I (think) I'm a light nute person but who knows. I usually use half of directed so it's probably a lockup. I just read Crazy Composer's article about Promix and I'm going to try the Epsom salts. I think I'm gonna try flushing more as well. The only info I've found about rust colored spots is calcium deficiency. Off to flushing. Thanks again all and talk at you soon. Gamera ps. I do have the GH 3 part ready and I'm going to try it on a couple. __________________ "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all." Helen Keller
	Quote

08-06-2005, 06:51 AM	#8
bartender187 Bakin in da Sun Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Planet Zeldar Posts: 2,949	Hey Gamera... im growin in a similar mix... Pro Mix... using Pure Blend Orginal... ive had a similar problem... way before it got bad... after i treated them with Cal-Mag and Seaweed(blue bottle with added Iron) *bluevelvet mentioned it might be a micronute/Iron issue __________________ Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestous sea of liberty. - Thomas Jefferson
	Quote

08-06-2005, 05:05 PM	#9
Gamera Life in the Air Age Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tokeyo Posts: 685	I'm starting to think that promix and pbp are a bad combo. I've been using calmag the whole time. 1tsp/gal.. I think you're talking about Maxicrop right? I love that stuff and the fish juice too. Makes your grow smell like Thai food. Maybe I should try Calmag and Maxicrop, and then Calmag and Budswell? I'm and old hand with those in soil. __________________ "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all." Helen Keller
	Quote

08-06-2005, 06:11 PM	#10
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	I see a lot of growers have had problems with Pure Blend Pro. I also use Pro Mix because it stabilizes the Ph to neutral. One thing I've found that counteracts the neutralizer is an aquarium product called Discus Buffer that resets the "neutral" point to 5.8-6.8 depending on how much you use. If you're not fond of chemical nutes I dunno of any organics that accomplish the same thing - there must be a way to cancel the 7.0 buffer of PM and lower it. I'd cease the Pure Blend Pro in the future, or use a soil mix recipe to homebrew for the pots for the diesel runs. Will be watching to note your results! Good luck and we're all pulling for U.
	Quote