Hey folks,
Today was my first time measuring run-off during a feed. I’ve got 3 plants currently inside that I’m trying to get ready to move outside once we get in a nice stretch of weather. They’re definitely growing, but I started noticing some things that I didn’t love, so decided to do some measuring.
My feed was measured at a pH of 6.0-6.5 with a 1004 ppm (0.5 TDS scale).
pH of runoff on all 3 plants was consistent with the feed. However, all 3 plants’ PPM runoff was higher 1256, 1330 and 1441. Would this be considered a radical difference? Combined with my plants not looking awesome (yellowing of some lower leaves, some purple steams, mid-plant leaves awfully dark green), would folks suspect a salt buildup? If this is something to work on, what would people suggest? Several flushes with pH’d water before checking again? A series of very dilute feeds (1/4 of what I was doing)?
I’m growing in soil (Coast of Maine - Bar Harbor blend) - using Iguana Juice Grow
Thanks for any help you might offer!
It would help to have more details on your grow, but those PPMs are a good bit high. Leaving them this high could tank your ph and cause lockout. If your in soil, you could just give PHd water for a couple waterings, then mabey feed every other watering to keep it stable. If your in coco or Promix, a flush would be the simple, fast solution to reset the media. Seeing your in CoM soil, I would water until PPMs drop into optimal range.
Thanks for the help - I appreciate it! I’ve learned a ton on these forums.
The water I use is pulled from our well - perfectly neutral 7.0 pH (100 ppm) - I usually adjust it to around 6.5 when I water, but, in this case, because I might be worried about the soil getting too acidic… best to flush with it straight out of the tap or adjust the pH down to what I have been?
I’m thinking I’ve got to use something less “hot” to start with next year. Are ProMix a good option? They’re basically just a substrate (opeet moss and perlite?), right? Can you run that their whole life and just feed via fertilizer?
I would always PH my water, RO or very low ppm water will take on the PH of the media, I would rather have the water influencing the media. Promix is peet, perlite, and calcitic and dolomite lime, it’s a wonderful media in my opinion, I’ve settled on it and it’s all I run indoors. I’ll go tag you in my journal and you can see first hand what Promix and MC1 or Jacks will do for you. I love it because I can reset or adjust it really quick, I feed to about 40 percent runoff now as I’ve found I don’t have to flush them. My journal will give you the EC and ph I run them at.
Numbers not bad , with fresh soil You will have a higher runoff than what you’re feeding . I don’t normally water to run off early in the grow. Good luck 