confusion with ph runoff

[guyson]

i've been reading a couple of articles on PH runoff and testing it:

one post says that to check the PH runoff, adjust the ph of the water to about 7.. if the ph runoff stays between 6.5 and 7 then the ph of the soil is okay.

so, if watering my plants at 6.5 and the runoff comes back out at 7.. what does that say?

another question: does the ph runoff tell you the PH levels of the soil?

if this is true then for example: i water the plant with ph 7 water and comes out at say... 6.5, would the water need to be ph adjusted?

 

[mr.sessemia]

the p.h run off is the p.h of the soil but theres a catch there if you dont leave the soil in the water long enough then you testing the p.h of the tap water .....you should let the soil soak to make shure youre getting the right p.h

 

[guyson]

the p.h run off is the p.h of the soil but theres a catch there if you dont leave the soil in the water long enough then you testing the p.h of the tap water .....you should let the soil soak to make shure youre getting the right p.h

i've heard that the first few drops of the runoff is the best to test?

another question would be good to know.. is what is the ideal ph runoff i should be looking for? i know that ph runoff can be a couple of points off than the real reading sometimes.

 

[Brick Top]

To perform a proper pour through test you water your plants as you usually would and allow them to drain for about 15 or 20 minutes and then remove the runoff. Then you water again with distilled water, or at least water you know is pH neutral, and that is the runoff you test and it is wise to test it not only for pH but also EC.

If you use large pots and can take a half decent soil sample you can take the soil and put it in a clear jar and well more than cover it with distilled water, or water that you know is pH neutral, and let sit for about a half hour or so and then test the pH and in the case of EC, stick in the pen/wand and stir/wiggle it some to make sure you do not have air bubbles and let it sit until you have a constant reading.

 

[guyson]

To perform a proper pour through test you water your plants as you usually would and allow them to drain for about 15 or 20 minutes and then remove the runoff. Then you water again with distilled water, or at least water you know is pH neutral, and that is the runoff you test and it is wise to test it not only for pH but also EC.

If you use large pots and can take a half decent soil sample you can take the soil and put it in a clear jar and well more than cover it with distilled water, or water that you know is pH neutral, and let sit for about a half hour or so and then test the pH and in the case of EC, stick in the pen/wand and stir/wiggle it some to make sure you do not have air bubbles and let it sit until you have a constant reading.

times like this i wish i got an electric ph meter and pen! i've only got the ph testing kit so it isnt that much use! what i'm confused about is when testing the runoff from my plant with water adjusted to 6.5.. it comes out at about 7? you gota clue whats going on here? if this reading is true, would i need to ph down even more?

once i've tested the ph runoff correctly and got the results, are these the only results i need as the ph runoff with my ph adjusted feed (with nutes in) @ 6.5 comes out at 7.

i'm trying to get a better understanding of PH as i have what looks like a mg def. but the ph runoff seems dodgy at the moment (although i didnt test the ph'd water after, just the runoff of the water with nutes in!)