[rhade]

Can anyone tell me of anything I can use to lower my PH? Thanks

[Captain Canibus]

In water or soil?

[Flowerman]

PH down, about a $1 or two at walmart, or at your local aquarium store. But the good PH down is at your local or internet hydro store.

[MerryPrankster]

If you are soil growing and cannot afford concentrated pH up and down, CIDER VINEGAR and BAKING SODA are acceptable organic forms of pH control. CIDER VINEGAR is pH UP and BAKING SODA is pH DOWN. Properly mix per one gallon of water. I would also suggest a good waterproof pH pen. My crops health and yeilds doubled once I got control of my pH. Peace.....

[grower54]

I'm hydro now but would like to try a "dirt" grow one time. Can anyone recommend a good ph tester for soil??
Thanks 54

[Captain Canibus]

Most garden centers will have ph meters for about $10-12.

[Hambone]

Hi 54,

How to check your soil pH is to take a small handful of soil and put it into a clean glass. Then you should rinse over this sample with neutral water. After which, pour off this water and test it...

Seems to work ok for me. Another test that will examine your whole planter is to run a baseline on the water that sits in the bottom cup. Obviously you want to allow the plant to dry out between waterings, so that what you catch in the basin is relevant.

Hope this helps you some. Take care and stay safe.
HB.

[MerryPrankster]

Or you can spend $40-$50 on a good waterproof pH pen and just simply stick the end of the pen in the water and you'll get aread out. Hambone's technique is ok for testing the water AFTER is has been poured into the soil. You can test the pH of the BEFORE you use it when using a pH pen. Takes alot of the guess work out.

[MerryPrankster]

Originally posted by Captain Canibus
Most garden centers will have ph meters for about $10-12.

That's for soil testing after the water has already been poured inot the dirt, they tend to be very unreliable. I am speaking of a pH pen that tests water directly.

Unfortunately when it comes to ACCURTATE pH testing, a little $$$$$$$ may need to be spent. Good pH pens start off at $40, unless you ate lucky enough to find one for less on Ebay.....

[I.M. Boggled]

CIDER VINEGAR is pH UP and BAKING SODA is pH DOWN.

The technical term for this type of mis-information is "Ass Backwards."

pH is a scale from 1 to 14 that measures acid-to-alkaline balance.
One is the most acidic, 7 is neutral and 14 is most alkaline.

Every full point change in pH signifies a 10-fold increase or decrease in acidity or alkalinity.
For example, soil or water with a pH of 5 is 10 times more acid than water or soil with a pH of 6.
Water with a pH of 5 is 100 times more acidic than water with a pH of 7.
With a 10-fold difference between each point on the scale, accurate measurement and control is essential to a strong healthy garden.

Cannabis grows best in soil with a pH from 6.5 – 7.
Within this range, marijuana can properly absorb and process available nutrients most efficiently.

If the pH is too low (acidic), acid salts bind nutrients chemically, and the roots are unable to absorb them.

An alkaline soil with a high pH causes nutrients to become unavailable.

Toxic salt build up that limits water intake by roots also becomes a problem.

Hydroponic solutions perform best in a pH range a little lower than for soil.
The ideal pH range for hydroponics is from 5.8 – 6.8.
Some growers run the pH at lower levels and report no problems with nutrient uptake.

When adjusting pH, one should add small amounts of acid or base at a time. The closer one is to the desired pH, the less acid or base is needed.

Strong acids & bases can alter the pH quickly.
Thus, beginners should use diluted preparations of acids & bases since they are safer and easier to manage.
A safer acid is diluted phosphoric acid.

Acids for pH adjustment

Nitric acid (HNO3) This is a strong acid & can result in dangerous fumes.

Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) (high grade) (Do not use car battery acid!)

Phosphoric acid (H3PO4)

Vinegar is 4-5% acetic acid (CH3COOH) & has a pH of 3.
Different countries have different concentrations of vinegar, however, which need to be diluted.
The effect of vinegar on the pH is temporary so daily adjustment is needed & stored solutions can not be made up.
Vinegar is an organic or carbon containing material whose hydroponic use is controversial among some growers.

Citric acid (C6H8O7): This will not stabilize the pH as well as other acids but can be used. This is an organic material whose hydroponic use is controversial among some growers.

Bases for pH adjustment

Potassium hydroxide (KOH): Potash, or caustic potash, is the old name for potassium hydroxide (KOH).
Potassium Hydroxide solution adds K to the nutrient but is a strong base & safety precautions are needed.

Potassium carbonate (KCO3) is water soluble, & is seen in commercial solutions with KOH to increase the pH.

Baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate or NaHCO3): According to the periodic rules of solubility most carbonate (CO3-) salts are only slightly soluble which can cause problems including clogging in hydroponic systems.
Baking soda has a ph of 8.5. Baking soda also adds sodium to the nutrient which may harm some plants.


I would recommend the Dry General Hydroponic pH adjustment products to anyone not sure which product to go with. There liquid is also an excellent product too.

A low cost pH testing unit may be acquired in the aquarium department of many stores. A liquid tester that uses a Blue "Reagent" and a color chart to determine pH values with usually runs about 5 dollars U.S. for such a tester.
Many succesful growers use this low tech pH determination method.

Happy Growing Ya'll.


IMB