Backyard Boogie

Hello All,

I wanted to know if there is a way to "permanently" adjust your ph. My soil is at 7.0 and my water is usually 7.5. So far for every watering, I've had to add some Ammonium Sulfate to lower the ph. About 2 teaspoons to a gallon of plain water. That takes it to the 6.2-6.8. I'm really afraid I'm gonna goof this up somehow and I'm looking for a more permamant solution. I've thought of mixing some of this Ammonium Sulfate into the soil but I don't what to screw it up because it's a good soil mix (25% peat moss, 25% perlite, 30% worm casings, 20% coconut husk). Right now, I still only have seedlings but since I couldn't find any viable bagseed, I've planted some o.k. genetics and don't want to lose any of them.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
BB

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TonDerudesKa

Not unless you use a different water supply and/or mix up your medium differently to have it at the correct pH. Mix it up a week or two in advance...check pH and adjust accordingly.

So....in conclusion.....unless you change things...water supply, soil mix...then yes..you will always be adding something to compensate for high pH. You can't "fix" your water supply...but you can change your soil mix.

Make sense?
Cy

Backyard Boogie

Thanks for replying.

CajunYank: Yes, that makes sense.

Now, would it be o.k. to add enough Ammonium Sulfate to the soil mix to bring the ph to the neccessary level or should I try something else?

Thanks,
BB

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TonDerudesKa

Sure...but..most ppl use white vinegar...or...pH Down. These might be safer to use than Ammonium Sulfate.

Cy

Pete

HI!
hey CY!....maybe he could try a tablespoon of lime/gal. of his mix,...yes?...no?
pete

TonDerudesKa

Lime raises the pH. ok, Pete?

Cy

Delta

... will LOWER Ph and not affect PPM too much. I use this when flowering and Nitric Acid during pre-flower.

PH UP
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Lime will raise PH, add Calcium & Magnesium, BUT it dissolves very slowly and it's easy to over-do it. 1 TBSP of Lime should RAISE the Ph of the Soil +2 for about 8-10 weeks. DO NOT ADD IT EVERY WATERING!

A better solution to bring the Ph UP is Baking Soda.

PH DOWN
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White Vinegar works OK but evaporates very quickly causing Ph drift. Don't use it unless it's an emergency (I can only imagine). Use something that has a more stable base. Sulfuric Acid (pool supply/battery acid), Phosphoric & Nitric Acids are the best, but harder to get. Make sure whatever you use doesn't have a Sodium base.

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bgetting

If it is a problem, and when you repot (or should you), put them into soil that has spaghnum or peat moss. These should lower the pH a little. Before you repot, test it, and see if it is OK. If you want, you can balance the moss with a sprinkle of dolomite lime. This is permanent and worry free.

lilbuddie

Just a quick correction "Ammonium Sulfate" is sold in nurseys and is used for adjusting the soil pH to more acid state. It is quite safe. I use it for azleas and blueberry soil adjustment since they are acid loving.

LB

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