Quote:
Originally Posted by coldandwet
when I go to add fertilizer @ 1/2 strengh won,t the ph automaticaly drop a point or so? my nuit. are also heated to73 de f. and airated. any reply on subject greatly apprecieated.
|
The key to adequate PH is water with low mineral content, as hard water has a lot of basic (and neutral) components. Actually mostly calcium that is responsible for- and buffers high PH. In such case, week acids will be dissolved over night by the basic minerals and you need to repeat the procedure. Best is always to use neutral PH base water (7.x), or mix 50/50, RO, rain, or distilled water. It may solve all of your PH problems.
And yes
nutrients are mostly calculated to lower and buffer PH down to nearly adequate (around 6). But this will (obviously) not be be the case with lower or half concentration. It's actually a general problem with growing seedlings or running low
nutrient strategies with some plants. Then again, you may successfully grow seedlings in somewhat higher PH. Well, you can always try it with 2 different groups of seedlings, corrected PH (acid) and a bit too high PH.
You may indeed increase nutrient strength somewhat (for seedlings and maturing plants) to lower PH and getting a better buffer with ideal PH, but don't do it unless you have an EC-meter and actually know what you are doing!