pH Problem

[Doctor Trevor]

I've had this problem with Stacy for a few weeks. Yellowing leaves and stunted growth. She only a few weeks from harvesting, supposedly. I flushed and fed/watered her six days ago and watered her again on Tuesday

The third photo is of one of those triple meters. I'm not a big fan of it, but it was all I had.

The pH is about 5; way too know, I know. What is the best way to raise the pH to something acceptable?

TIA

 

[013]

Hey Dr. Trevor, how did you determine the soil ph? I would not entrust that meter to do the job, technically to check the ph you need a slurry test with distilled water.

 

[Pennywise]

I wouldn’t trust that probe.

 

[Doctor Trevor]

I stuck it straight into the soil. Even if it was off by a little, this pH is way off.

I'm missing pieces of my General Hydroponics test kit. I do have the buffer solutions.

 

[Emilya Green]

Just water at 6.3 pH each time, and the soil takes care of itself. Get a good digital meter to measure your liquid pH.

 

[013]

I could be wrong but it looks like you’ve got a 1 gallon cloth bag, since it’s in late flower the plant has used up the soil it’s only holding the roots together and delivering the nutes. You flushed then fed & watered 6 days ago but since then water only. I suspect there is nothing wrong with your soil but the plant is starving at the most important time.

Seriously don’t try to fix your soil based on those probe meters. Fill a cup of water & check for wet dry. Mine doesn’t even register 40% after soaking in water for a week. Those meters have a use.... best I’ve ever heard of is to help an anteater pick it’s nose! If you are convinced there is a soil problem then do a slurry test and post the findings here

 

[Doctor Trevor]

It's a three gallon pot.

 

[Emilya Green]

those 3 way meters are really good at showing you where the water table is... other than that, they are junk... but what did you expect for $6?

 

[013]

Ok Dr. Trevor! Ah crap - I was guessing based on the aluminum pie pan... apologies my bad!!

 

[Doctor Trevor]

I use the roasting pans to keep any run off from gathering on the bottom of the tent. The base of it is ribbed. I also added a few plastic utensils to raise the pot a little bit, allowing some airflow and additional drainage.

Stacy's sister, Taija, is probably twice her size. She's in a five gallon pot. With the exception of this, the two are on the exact same schedules and diets.

I'm hoping she can bounce back; even the main stalk is getting droopy.

 

[013]

just hit both with nutes.

The flush thing in soil is a partial myth. Yes it can reset soil and wash out nutes & fine sediment. No a flush can’t improve the taste of your buds.

 

[NuttyProfessor]

look like a ( n ) over load with the darker green leaves bottom ,
did you make your own soil ? did you add a buffer to it ? is it a brand

 

[NuttyProfessor]

also them meters are not very good , you have it set to the moist in the pic not ph , not that they work to good any way

 

[Doctor Trevor]

The soil is Fox Farm's Ocean Forest.

 

[NuttyProfessor]

i think now maybe you have cleared the over load , smaller plants and pots less nutes than their bigger sisters

 

[Doctor Trevor]

I hope so. Stacy isn't looking too good right now. She's leaning to the side and her leaves are still yellowing.

 

[NuttyProfessor]

is the stem broke ? rotten ?

 

[Doctor Trevor]

No, but it's wilting.

The gardening shop didn't have a soil tester in stock. I picked up a Hannah Growline pH Tester. At least, with this, I can test the runoff and the nutrient solution. I also purchased another bottle of the General Hydroponics pH testing fluid. I can calibrate everything with the two.

Taija will probably be ready for feeding tomorrow. Stacy's soil is still pretty damp, so I'll wait a few more days.

 

[Emilya Green]

testing runoff tells you nothing about a soil grow... don't even waste your time. Simply water at the correct pH each time, and the soil will take care of itself.

 

[Doctor Trevor]

Doesn't the pH of the nute solution matter?