Ph/cal/mag soil

Hey guys,

having an issue that I think people might have answered but just want to get a second opinion.

I was told that I was watering to offten and not letting my soil dry out enough and that's why I'm getting a Ph/cal/mag type of def. I checked the run off of the soil and it's at 5.5ish.

I flushed out the buckets with RO water mixed with clearx at half strenght phed at 6.5.
I was told to let the buckets dry out almost to wilt and then ph water to 6.5 then water. I was told that once the soil is dry the ph will come back.

Here's my concern, they are getting worse day by day and I'm nervous to let these buckets dry any longer. The ph really needs to be fixed asap.

I'm using foxfarm happy frog mixed with 30% additional perlite and feeding every other water. And was told not to add any more lime cause the mix already has it. Please need a pros opinion. I can post pix later on today

I want to suggest foliar feeding, after recently getting back into the practice. I had convinced myself(previously) that it was unnecessary, especially after I made the switch to the 'almighty' FF soils(Happy Frog/Ocean Forest 50/50 mix, w/perlite added), thinking that the soil would more than keep them supplied with the essentials. Two weeks ago, I transplanted from 16 oz. party cups, to 4 gallon pots, with fresh OF soil, and assumed that my plants were getting everything they needed. Actually, after hearing all the "hot soil" talk, I'd assumed they'd be borderline overfert, with all that fresh soil. Well, lemme tell ya, they were definitely hungry, even though they looked great, without a single flaw on any of the leaves. I foliar fed them last night, along with a CalMag Plus(2nd time. 1st was 5 days ago) soil feeding, and they're reaction was clear, and obvious...they loved it! I had to raise my fluoros a couple hours after the feeding(I run them close, within an inch), and I just went and checked on them again(7 hours later), and the lights needed raised another 1/2". Impressive, I'm sold.

I highly recommend going with foliar feeding, especially since your having a problem with your medium. It's very effective, and will not only keep them alive, it'll correct the deficiencies while you're sorting you soil problem, and save you lots of headaches. I recommend it to any grower who doesn't have their grows tweaked to perfection, particually, new growers. We always have one problem or another, at some point, and foliar feeding will fill those gaps, that we unknowingly/mistakenly create.lol I will be using foliar feeding, from here on out, no matter how good I think I've become, at growing. As they say...assumption, is the mother of all fuck-ups.

It can be use til mid-flowering, without effecting taste, negatively.

Back to the topic on hand....I'd add some lime if I were you, as well as flushing again. When I've had PH problems, I'll flush until the runoff comes out at the same PH as I'm pouring in(I use 6.7'ish), then with the last gallon I pour in, I'll add about 1 tbsp of powdered lime to it(after it's been PH'ed to 6.7), and that seems to work great. Yeah, I know, lime is supposed to take awhile to take effect, but, I'm not so sure. It might take awhlie to take full effect, and stabilize, but I still believe that it's very helpfull in keeping PH from dropping out of range, from the moment you add it to the soil. At any rate, it won't hurt anything. Also, larger plants can handle more lime than babies,(causes PH twist) which is why I'm doubting that soils have optimum amounts added beforehand. Too much, would harm the little ones, which is why I believe that it's beneficial to add more when they're adults. The amounts that come in the soil, are minimal, but sufficient. IMO, "sufficient" isn't always optimal. It's a functional compromise.

I was told my ph is low because the soil is always wet. I've read that low calcium can cause a low drop in ph. Ty for the tip on foliar feeding. I've been feeding them foliar every 5 days with a touch of superthrive.

So you definetly think it's safe to flush again?

Oh and what where you using for your cal/mag feeding? I noticed there isn't any in the grow big or big bloom and since I'm using ro I'm sure it's taking out cal that's in tap water. And how often u foliar feeding?

there is no 'water too much'


you want to keep the soil moist at all times, but not saturated to the point where air is excluded

^That's true, about constantly wet soil causing the PH to drop,(allows the soil to decompose, becoming acidic, gradually) but as long as it's already low, it'd be a good idea to bring it up right now, then go back to your normal watering schedule. Calcium may cause PH to run low, IDK for sure, but I can say that the calcium in lime, won't have that effect. Lime will not drop your PH, I'm certain of that.

Roullette said:

Oh and what where you using for your cal/mag feeding? I noticed there isn't any in the grow big or big bloom and since I'm using ro I'm sure it's taking out cal that's in tap water. And how often u foliar feeding?

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Ok here is the other thing, I didn't water for a few days I allow the top 4-5" to dry and the FFHF seems to be pretty light and drys out quick.
So when I flushed I flushed about 15-20 gallons if not more of 6.5 ph water only.
And still had run off of 4.8-5.5

I'll flush them again today with another 8 gallons and the last gallon I'll add 1 tsp of lime and them check ph.

Even tho I was told not to add like because FFHF already has lime in it

Wow, that alot of water to have run through, and still not have washed out the areas with low PH. Sounds like you should go with a little more lime. 2 TBSP won't hurt a thing. Also, on second thought, you might want to add it earlier than the last gallon, so that it gets washed down through the soil, more thorougly. Another tip, is to water heavily before the flush, leave sit for 1/2 hour or so, then flush. That helps dissolve the waste build-up, making for easier removal.

jawbrodt said:

Wow, that alot of water to have run through, and still not have washed out the areas with low PH. Sounds like you should go with a little more lime. 2 TBSP won't hurt a thing. Also, on second thought, you might want to add it earlier than the last gallon, so that it gets washed down through the soil, more thorougly. Another tip, is to water heavily before the flush, leave sit for 1/2 hour or so, then flush. That helps dissolve the waste build-up, making for easier removal.

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these are auto flowers btw

Ok thanks to all who replied,
I'm going to give a run down of what I'm going to do today and tell me if it sounds good.

I'm going to mix half tap and half RO water and mix 1 tsp of Epsoma garden lime in 5 gallons and ph at 6.5 and flush.
I will check run off and keep flushing with half tap half RO with no lime till ph is at 6.3-6.8.

Once I'm getting the desired ph I will mix 1 additional tsp of lime in 1 gallon of RO water phed at 6.3-6.8 and water.
Then I'll wait 5-7 days before I feed with phed nutes.

How does that sound?

PH the water first, because the lime will give you a false reading. Also, make sure you use a tablespoon, not a teaspoon,("tsp" is the abbreviation for teaspoon) because a teaspoon isn't nearly enough. Other than that, you should be doing much better than before the flush. Best of luck, I hope it woks out well for ya.

P.S. Don't bother checking the PH after adding the lime, because it might freak you out, being sky high.lol

ok im going to flip the fuck out. im getting the same results.

im flushing this now with over 10 gallons of 6.6 phed water and run off is at 5.9. i added 1 table spoon of lime. i dont know what to do anymore. im beside myself

......bump

^You're getting there. Next time you start, add more lime, and don't stop flushing until the runoff is where you want it. It will come up, I promise you. This needs to be done all at once, or you'll be flushing for a looong time.

your the MAN! ty. ive been posting this from my phone all day and now im home to do it and your right there again... i owe you

^LOL, Nah, no thanks necessary. Once ya get 'em to a point where both of ya are happy,(you and the plant.lol) that'll be thanks enough. Glad to help.

ok finally done with one 35 gallons later and now 3 more to go.... its coming out at 6.2 and im not messing with it anymore. i added 1 table spoon for lime and actually fed them cause they havent had nutes in almost 2 weeks now.