fuzzy duck where is the confusion?
PH down or ups are normally used in hydroponic based systems such as DWC/NFT/ebb & flood etc or with inert growing mediums such as perlite/clay pebbles etc
Where as the correct PH value of the water makes the nutrients available for the plants to use !
The above does not apply to soil...
With soil its the PH value of soil/compost/loam used, ideally based between PH 6 & 7 where nutrients are most available.
Amendments such as lime (dolomite/garden) are used with soils/compost which are acidic based to buffer PH towards PH 7 basically towards a more neutral range of PH.
If soil is alkaline based or over PH 7 acidic buffers may need to be applied such as sphagnum peat, elemental sulfur, aluminum sulfate, iron sulfate, acidifying nitrogen, and organic mulches.
Most plants have adapted to thrive in the variable changes of PH of soil... many soils across the region where you live will differ in PH & type of soil... this may include shop purchased soil/compost most should state PH value on the bag it self if of a good reputation brand, some times PH variations between batches made the PH may change a little !
MJ is grown out doors across the globe in various regions i'm sure the PH of soil is various between each !
Which can be provide by myself with geological maps of the globe if you want to go hardcore about the subject...
So why is growing a plant indoors under lights so greatly different from an out door plant ?
Its not... same principle as out doors the correct PH of soil is the important factor !
Ye lets looks at this.
A large majority of plants will grow well between PH 6 & 7, farmers grow crops, people who grow vegetables or flowers for floristry etc or even trees/shrubs for nursery stock grow their plants in range of PH of 6 to 7
Never once in all my 20 years in the horticultural trade have i meet another plant grower who PH downs or ups their plant feed ! when its the soil PH which is the real factor.
So why is MJ so different... decades of hearsay, bad advice & misconceptions between hydroponic methods over soil that is all !
BTW soil is self buffering in nature & will naturally return to its ambient PH value over several hours or so after watering with nutrients or what ever... which can be observed
Quite easy with a PH soil probe which can be purchased from most good garden centers or DIY store/depo's with a garden section.
Some pic's of a basic model
Insert into soil of pot wait 5 to 10 minutes & take reading.
Feed with nutrients or just water & take another reading you may see a change of PH !
Take a reading 6, 12, 18 & 24 hours later you will see a change of PH towards ambient level PH of soil.
Don't leave the probe in the soil for prolonged periods of time.. like days or weeks as it buggers it up
Any of above can be researched for your own knowledge to prove the fact, its how ya do it or research it & i normally avoid MJ forums for any real hardcore info. (ya won't like me, if ya ask why)
