Need ph advice

Spliffer1

Spliffer1

Well-Known Member
I know that it's very likely that the answer to my question is posted in this forum in several places, but I haven't located it specifically. That said, I appreciate anyone taking the time to answer it once again.
I'm currently growing in soil, total organic. All good, no problems, to speak of.
I've built up a soilless mix that I'll begin using after this batch of soil runs out.
I'll be using Pro Mix BX, ewc's, perlite, and mushroom compost in 3:1:1:1 ratio- (3gal Pro Mix to 1 gal ea. of the ewc's, perlite, mushroom compost.) Plus other nutes/ amendments- including dolomite, and calcium carbonate (limestone) flour(s) for calcium and magnesium, and the potentially added benefit of ph balance.
Question I have about this mix, is what should the water and nute solution ph be?
In soil, I've always ph'd the water to around 6.6- 6.8, then added my organic nutes, and never had to worry anymore about it. From what I think I understand about this new mix I will be using, it's considered more of a soilless mix, and would that lead further to say that it should be ph'd differently? More in the hydroponic range?
Am I in the ballpark here, or worrying over nothing?
 
greasemonkeymann

greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
Spliffer1 said:
I know that it's very likely that the answer to my question is posted in this forum in several places, but I haven't located it specifically. That said, I appreciate anyone taking the time to answer it once again.
I'm currently growing in soil, total organic. All good, no problems, to speak of.
I've built up a soilless mix that I'll begin using after this batch of soil runs out.
I'll be using Pro Mix BX, ewc's, perlite, and mushroom compost in 3:1:1:1 ratio- (3gal Pro Mix to 1 gal ea. of the ewc's, perlite, mushroom compost.) Plus other nutes/ amendments- including dolomite, and calcium carbonate (limestone) flour(s) for calcium and magnesium, and the potentially added benefit of ph balance.
Question I have about this mix, is what should the water and nute solution ph be?
In soil, I've always ph'd the water to around 6.6- 6.8, then added my organic nutes, and never had to worry anymore about it. From what I think I understand about this new mix I will be using, it's considered more of a soilless mix, and would that lead further to say that it should be ph'd differently? More in the hydroponic range?
Am I in the ballpark here, or worrying over nothing?
Click to expand...
that's not a soiless media brother, that would be more like a rockwool or clay pellets and such.
EWC, and compost make it a living soil man.
If you make the soil right you don't need to worry about ph.
BUT that being i'd need more information to give you advice. For example whats in your soil already.
i'm confused though... you said you run an organic soil mix and it works "all good, no problems to speak of"... umm so why change it man?
And you can re-use that soil just fine brother, I don't know what you mean when you say that your batch will run out.
 
Spliffer1

Spliffer1

Well-Known Member
greasemonkeymann said:
that's not a soiless media brother, that would be more like a rockwool or clay pellets and such.
EWC, and compost make it a living soil man.
If you make the soil right you don't need to worry about ph.
BUT that being i'd need more information to give you advice. For example whats in your soil already.
i'm confused though... you said you run an organic soil mix and it works "all good, no problems to speak of"... umm so why change it man?
And you can re-use that soil just fine brother, I don't know what you mean when you say that your batch will run out.
Click to expand...
THANK YOU greasemonkeymann!
First, I'll fess up - I recycle my soil- Just like you said- it's alive and does GREAT! I mentioned doing this on another site, and was tarred, feathered, and set afire! I was "being a tightwad dumass, being too cheap to go and purchase new soil" And would, without doubt, "suffer every plague and deficiency known to the industry". LMAO
I run FF OF, started with 10 bags, then I recycle and amend it about 5 cu ft at a time. This is probably it's second and a half time around, and it's as good as what it was when I bought it. Recycling in batches like this gives me plenty of time- I'm not rushed. I time it out to where I get everything added to it and mixed up well, then all I have to do is wet it down, mix it a few times for about 3 weeks before I need it, and let it cook for that time. I'm not in any danger of running out, and I'll keep and continue to use what I have, for sure. "It's not broken, and I'm not fixin' it", just looking for ways to do it better.
What sparked my interest in the pro mix, is it's ability to hold moisture. Even with an abundance of perlite, the peat seems to hold ridiculous amounts of water. THAT appeals to me because, I run clones vegged in a solo cup for around 5 days, transplanted to 1 gal cloth pots, and immediately flipped to 12/12, perpetually. Around wk 3, if not sooner, I have to water/feed nearly every day.
So, I thought I'd give the peat mix a shot and see if it could make a difference in the frequency of the watering. Another "experiment in my laboratory" lol
And as you pointed out- I brought it to life with the compost and ewc's, guano's, meals, etc., and would no longer be a true soilless mix, but a living soil.
So good to hear from someone who knows what to do with living soil!
Thanks!
 
greasemonkeymann

greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
Spliffer1 said:
THANK YOU greasemonkeymann!
First, I'll fess up - I recycle my soil- Just like you said- it's alive and does GREAT! I mentioned doing this on another site, and was tarred, feathered, and set afire! I was "being a tightwad dumass, being too cheap to go and purchase new soil" And would, without doubt, "suffer every plague and deficiency known to the industry". LMAO
I run FF OF, started with 10 bags, then I recycle and amend it about 5 cu ft at a time. This is probably it's second and a half time around, and it's as good as what it was when I bought it. Recycling in batches like this gives me plenty of time- I'm not rushed. I time it out to where I get everything added to it and mixed up well, then all I have to do is wet it down, mix it a few times for about 3 weeks before I need it, and let it cook for that time. I'm not in any danger of running out, and I'll keep and continue to use what I have, for sure. "It's not broken, and I'm not fixin' it", just looking for ways to do it better.
What sparked my interest in the pro mix, is it's ability to hold moisture. Even with an abundance of perlite, the peat seems to hold ridiculous amounts of water. THAT appeals to me because, I run clones vegged in a solo cup for around 5 days, transplanted to 1 gal cloth pots, and immediately flipped to 12/12, perpetually. Around wk 3, if not sooner, I have to water/feed nearly every day.
So, I thought I'd give the peat mix a shot and see if it could make a difference in the frequency of the watering. Another "experiment in my laboratory" lol
And as you pointed out- I brought it to life with the compost and ewc's, guano's, meals, etc., and would no longer be a true soilless mix, but a living soil.
So good to hear from someone who knows what to do with living soil!
Thanks!
Click to expand...
you will find that the majority of us organic growers are doing no-till or at the least reusing their soil, sad to hear others ridicule you for it.... obviously they have no real concept of true organics but that's fine.
If you like water retention and live near any forest, I highly recommend using some rotten tree log chunks, from any forest as long as you can crumble it with you fingers, it's the best soil conditioner around in my opinion hold a LOT of water but not in an anerobic way, like a giant perfect microbial-ecosystem that is pure happy-magicness, kinda way. Keeps the soil a more "humid" type moisture as opposed to being wet.
can ya tell I like it?
Also my feeling on biochar too, i'll never have a soil without those two.
 
Spliffer1

Spliffer1

Well-Known Member
Fascinating, indeed. Never thought of the rotten wood chunks for moisture retention. There's plenty of it around here!
Ever have any problems with bugs when using that? I've wanted to add some of the local soil to my teas for microbe diversity, but the idea of introducing critters into my grow has kept me away from it. I've read a few horror stories about bringing in outside materials with bugs/larvae, so I try to keep it in check by using only materials I believe are safe.
I looked up a little bit about the biochar, and that's very interesting, as well.
I'm sure it's bound to be good for the soil after it's decomposed, does it have any impact as it decomposes, other than the moisture retention? Thinking of it, I picture the structure being somewhat similar to Groton, or other hydroponic media in the sense it would hold copious amounts of moisture and air?
When using these as amendments, how much do you add into your mix, and how often? What impact(s) (if any)does it have on the ph? What types of pithy woods do you use, and what types should I stay away from?
Thanks, I've enjoyed your input
 
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