High PH locking out nutes for BENEFIT ?

coopdevillan

Well-Known Member
So Im in the middle of flushing my crop with tap water PPM 700. I know I know........
But its what I am using as of now so thats that:roll: Well my theory was this, We flush to rid our plants of un-wanted chemicals and such, well what if I were toUPp the PH or hell if need be DOWN the PH to cause those extra 700 PPM to NOT be "absorbed" into the plant or even so as the plants absorb LESS of the 700 PPM ? Just a thought.
 
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Illegal Smile

Guest
I don't think so. High pH might keep a plant from being able to metabolize nutrients, but it won't keep it from being absorbing crap in hard water. Flush with good water.
 

coopdevillan

Well-Known Member
So are we posotive or speculating ? I thought ph can cause NUTE lock out so whats the science behind it not working ?
 
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Illegal Smile

Guest
Nute lock is not about the material in the water NOT being absorbed by a plant. It is about it not being UTILIZED when it is absorbed. You are asking whether it is a good idea to go with the assumption that other potentially dangerous stuff in your water will for sure, like nutrients, somehow be blocked by high pH. It doesn't even happen with nute all the time, just sometimes. So it is not positive because I doubt anyone has done the research on something so pointless. But it is not speculation to say it is a bad idea, not worth it, and risky.
 

coopdevillan

Well-Known Member
Gosh my idea was pointless :( That hurts. Was just putting a fun and possible theory out there. Other than that your reply was well said. This was more of a fun thread I would'nt try it without proof and Im already 6 daays from harvest. Thanks for the reply :)
 

skokie

Member
Nute lock is not about the material in the water NOT being absorbed by a plant. It is about it not being UTILIZED when it is absorbed.
Not positive this is the case, it seems that nute lock is when the plant won't take in any more nutes due to several factors. We typically leach when this happens and then start nutes again, and can typically see quick new growth as well as a drop in ppm in the solution because they are feeding again.

As far as swinging ph to cause nute lock, first I would think that there are still several nutes that would be absorbed regardless of ph being high or low, but never completely cut off across the board. Different nutes are absorbed better at different ph levels. Also, we try to avoid nute lock to keep them growing vigorously without over doing it. Lastly, The ph swing needed to lock out all or most nutes would more than likely (for a hydro grower at least) cause other ill effects with the plant due to the rapid ph swing.

Just my .02
 

coopdevillan

Well-Known Member
Thanks for all your input. I am a hydro grower :) I just thought that as a rig job due to my tap water flush being 700 ppm that if ph was to lock out SOME of the 700 PPM would be better than allowing all or whatever the plant used of the 700 ppm. I am not in a spot for a RO machine just yet. I grow awesome chronic and my journal shows it so I can get by with the 700 tap flush buuuut this came up as a thought. PH alter to lock out some of my taps ppm. But you all disagree and I was seeking a answer for this. So thanks for the input and it will be a "puzzle solved". :)
 
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