[minds_I]

Hello all,

I am using ewc/compost tea with a pH of 6.3-6.5.

My runoff is 7.0-7.25. I presume the D.lime is the culprit.

Your thoughts?

minds_I

[Suby]

Yes most probably, don't sweat it the humic acids in the soil will do their thing and you will be fine.
As the grow progresses the runoff should be more acidic as the soil acidifies slowly.

[minds_I]

Hello, I am not too worried about it-like you said, as the pH drops during the course of the grow the humus/microherd and d.lime with keep things in check.

Of course I will continue to pH any solutions given-no sense in trying to wack the pH unnecessarily.

I must say I am having a much easier time with organics now then I did when I first started with them. I am of the opinion that more is less.

I am going to rethink my soil mix. I have been using Kelloggs Patio Plus-Its really hot and I have yet to find a proper recipe for it.

I am thinking on a basic mix and add the amendments. I could go with FFOF to. Its 9.95 a sack at the local hydro shop (not the one named after the county) I just might break down and go and fetch me asack.

minds_I


PS
Well, I did- I went and purchased 2 bags of FFOF.

I feel so ashamed.

[minds_I]

Alright Suby, I watered with a alaska fish, ej bloom, liquid kelp and molasses pH'ed at 6.25.

I think I phvqved up because I wanted to saturate the soil with water first then pour in the fert solution-let soak for 10-15 minutes and remove to a dry tray.

And this is what I did just as I remembered I did not pH the water used inthe first drench.

When I did pH the water it was 7.5-7.75. Not great.

So when I pH'ed the runoff, it was 7.25-7.5.

I thought this rather high so I thought I would drench again with a fert solution same as last only I did nto adjust the pH. The runoff was mor to 7-7.25 this time.

I am wondering if I should not pH adjust the ferts untill I see an increase in acidity?

minds_I

[Suby]

Shit I see you've been busy and getting the feel for this, how are your plants looking.
If the girls look good don't sweat it, if they don't rethink your strategy.
Lime will buffer an acidic medium toward high 6's so if you have to water with something acidic, everyone's water has it's own specific constitution, water is not just water anymore, it's different in every area but organics are the best strategy of growth for any decent quality water whether hard or not.
I would not have watered them with plain water first, just plain old tea with nutes followed by plain water the next watering, ph all these to say 6.2-6.5 and you'll be fine, you should try organic apple cider vinegar as a ph down, when i do lower ph i use it.
If your tea mix had more humic/fulvic acids (Liquid Karma is my source) it would help, they actually help uptake of nutrients because they carry elements across root zone tissues over a broader ph range making difficult to transport elements more mobile.
I don't water until I get runoff unless I have overfed the plants, in a true organic soil strategy you want to keep as many nutrients and soil organisms in and around the rootzone, I don't let them dry out to the point where when you water it runs-off in the pan initially, this is too dry they should still have moisture left.

Post a pic of those girls, I'll bet if you leave them be for a couple of days you'll be fine.

Peace
Sub's