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bmelz

curious about PH

9 years ago

So I'm a little confused when it comes to Soil/Medium PH vs water PH.

I test my water PH out of the tap and it was around the 6.5 mark. I added some "PH down" to get it to the 5.5 mark (read somewhere online that 5.5 -6 is ideal) and watered my tree, about a gallon of water. I use a bucket underneath to catch all of the excess water. I measured the PH of the excess water that drained and it was at 6.7

So my questions are

1. is 5.5 PH a good level for watering

2. can it be assumed that since the drained water was 6.7, my medium's PH is 6.7 or higher?

3. is 6.7 acceptable PH for my medium?

FYI, I'm in zone 6b, 5-1-1 mix for potted meyer lemon, lime ,cara car, and mandarin. some plants in S window, some plants under lights.


Just looking for a bit of discussion / ideas on PH preferences, theories, or facts.


thanks,

Comments (10)

  • 9 years ago

    This is an interesting discussion. I don't know the answers, but look forward to hearing what others have to say. I probably water with a solution between 5.5-6. I've never measured the runoff though. I would suspect your mix is a bit higher than 6.7 though. The watering solution must be reacting with your medium and the resulting pH of that reaction is what you are measuring. I am no chemist though...

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    "The target pH of 6.0 to 6.5 for Florida citrus production
    is based on a study of pH and Ca interactions conducted
    on a ridge soil (Candler fine sand). A clear advantage of
    pH 6.0 over pH 5.0 was evident, and pH 7.0 was no better
    than pH 6.0 at all Ca levels. Therefore, if a soil test does
    not show excessive copper accumulation, a soil pH of 6.0
    is sufficient for citrus production. Soil pH should be raised
    to 6.5 when soil tests show a build-up of copper because
    this element becomes toxic at low soil pH.
    Soil pH can be increased by applying either calcitic or
    dolomitic lime. In addition to affecting soil pH, calcite is
    an effective source of Ca, whereas dolomite supplies both
    Ca and Mg. Therefore, although either calcite or dolomite
    could be effectively used for citrus production, the choice
    of dolomite would be more appropriate for soils that also
    require Mg."

    From: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/SS/SS47800.pdf

    So I would say you don't want to keep the pH lower than 6, based on scientific evidence, with a range of 6-6.5 being ideal. This is highly dependent on the chemistry of the soil as Laura mentioned.

  • 9 years ago

    Before you get concerned about your pH, what did you use to measure the pH and what is the specified accuracy of the method you used? If it was an instrument, was it calibrated and what was used as the calibration standard?

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Also from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/SS/SS47800.pdf

    Here, the thicker the bar the better the uptake of nutrients at that pH. Notice the ideal range of 6.0-7.0 for nutrient uptake.

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks for the sources Stefan, some very good information in there. Now I just need to find a way to test my soil(locally)


    Vlad , used a pH meter I purchased at my local hydro shop. Accuracy to .05pH. I used the instructions and 7 and 4 buffers to calibrate. I also called my local water commission to ask what my pH at tap should be and my meter matched.

    I understand there are probably better meters out there with better accuracy but I don't need to be that specific.

  • 9 years ago

    Bmelz, it's the pH of the fertilizer solution that is most critical than the pH of your soil mix which changes constantly...That is why many drop the pH of their fertilizer solution every time they water with vinegar or some other sort of product when it comes to containers...

    What's in the ground, the soil when pH is critical more so...

  • 9 years ago

    Interesting. But it's still important to have a balanced pH in your soil, that's why the 5-1-1 ads the lime.


    Also, I've ready many post in here discussing the vinegar( which I would use) but I have pH down from the hydro store, so might as well use it, if necessary.

  • 9 years ago

    Great info Stefan! Thanks for finding that out. I wonder if some of the nutrient issues I had with a few of my trees were that I did not add enough lime (dolomitic). The first time I made the 5-1-1, I did not add the lime. I went back about a week later and scratched it into the soil. I probably did not add enough though.

  • 9 years ago

    Bmelz, yes that's true, but I mean once the soil mix is all ready made with the right pH..Sorry I didn't make that clear)