Hey guys, so I gave my seedlings their first heavy soak. I checked the Pom’s of the runoff and they are registering at 3400!!
Also I’ve been feeding just ph adjusted water, my tap water comes out at 7.5, and I adjusted it to 6.0-6.5. When testing my runoff today it is giving me a reading of 4.0-4.5.
This is my first grow and I’m sort of obsessed with chasing numbers, knowing this can drive you crazy.
So any thoughts or suggestions?!
Thanks for all the supportive answers for my precious questions… this community is amazing
2 Likes
Don’t panic, it’s organic. The ppm is high in Fox Forrest soils but those nutrients aren’t available to the roots until they are degraded by microbes/enzymes/etc. in the soil.
5 Likes
To add on what @MH47 correctly added
The only true way to tell the PH of soil is to use distilled water and do a soil slurry sample (you tube it)
4 Likes
This is excellent information, thank you. The amount of research is truly overwhelming in this hobby.
1 Like
I will be doing this tonight! I’ll update with readings.
Not true!
You can check pH from your runoff water.
Your replies are always so helpful, any idea why my ph would read so low? Considering ffhf is ph balanced?
1 Like
It’s not pH balanced to 6.5. Great soil, especially in veg stage. In a few more waterings the pH will increase.
If you chase #s, @beardless is wiz.
@Zee with all due respect you are wrong.
You can get a reading from runoff from soil but it will not be accurate.
@Byronyo you can do your own research and really you have nothing to lose. I have a bit of experience with this issue…
I agree fox farms makes some nice soils however they have been known to have PH issues in the past, do I think it’s really gonna matter if you feed correct PH water? No doubtful.
But for accuracy a slurry test is the way to go (for soil)
1 Like
It’s all in perspective my friend!
It doesn’t matter Nicky, anyone can give their perspective/input on any subject. It’s not a personal thing! I still and will disagree with you.
While many aspects of growing are perspective, opinions and experiences because the science is evolving there are also many that have either been proven fact in research or in normal agriculture industries.
So let’s refer to the company who makes some of the most accurate equipment in the agricultural industry and is used by lead scientists like our hero Bruce bugbee at Utah state university.
In section 7 you will find soil test methods, run off is not an accurate method and thus it is not listed.
4 Likes
That’s your perspective! Nothing but help and positive vibes from me. 
1 Like
This perspective is called reality… It’s fact.
You could take this as a learning opportunity or you could do what your doing and shrug it off, but your choice.
However new members deserve accurate help and that’s what I’m on here to do is provide accurate support.
9 Likes
@OlyBoy98503 lol
1 Like
All good @Nicky ! Ummmmm. You win? Whatever it is. Lol
1 Like
It’s not about anyone winning its About sharing the best information so we all learn. With over 3 years on the forum ie delt with alot of soil PH issues + my own when I grew in soil.
I think @Breezy had a similar issue early on maybe @ashhhh many many other.
3 Likes
Am not here to debate. Just trying to help. I’ve liked your post and gave my opinions. You want me to call you and apologies?
2 Likes
What’s your suggestion for correcting soil ph? Dolomite lime? Or maybe you can point me in the direction of a solid article
The seedlings look okay right now, so I’m going to take Zee’s advice and see if the ph goes up on the next water.
This is all trial and error for me, so it’s nice seeing both sides of the fence from 2 great growers. Gives me the chance to learn from my mistakes, and make changes how I see fit for my own grow using my own and outside opinions based on first hand experience.
It helps a lot when you have guidance from experienced people, regardless of disagreements. Again thanks loads for helping a rook out. Hopefully
In a couple of years I can spread solid information onto the community.
That’s a good guide for soil pH. I also thought RO water with very low total dissolved solids could also be used but I see they recommend distilled and/or deionized (all zeros).
While it’s great we pH any liquid added to the grow, more important is the pH of the soil itself. Soil pH and runoff pH can be very different at different times (same day, five days apart, just before watering/feeding, etc…). I like to check soil pH just before watering/feeding so I’ll know how the soil is doing in between.
2 Likes
That’s the preferred method yes.
But as I said your probably fine.
To test it however a soil slurry test is a very easy way to know where your really sitting because wrong PH is a huge issue, stunted growth, nutrient lock out etc
1 Like