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pH Control

Interested in finding out what most folks do to test their pH in planting mediums. I'm mainly interested in testing seedlings and my overwinterted plants, but if you also have some garden soil testing tips, pls add!

I'm using a General Hydroponics pH Control Kit right now. It's a liquid kit, very sensitive. (kinda vague for use in soils...) It's obviously more designed for hydroponics, but I was told it would also work by testing the excess run-off from my containers on those occasions where I drench the soil.

Is this a valid way to check container pH or should I do something more extensive like put some test soil in a cup and let it "brew" awhile prior to testing?
 
i think you might find it difficult to test the ph of soil runoff with the gh drops, as the soil runoff interferes with the color of the liquid.. same goes with the strips.
it was my understanding that soil guys mostly just monitored the PH of the nutrients going into the soil.
 
@ queequeg,
hmmmmm..., even though the run-off does has a color to it, I still get a really solid indication from the GH drops as to PH plus or minus. I test the clear water or nutes going in, and compare to run-off. Get consistent indicators of + or - depending on the blend I test.
 
I have a do-it-yourself soil pH kit that I use periodically in my garden. From what I remember, you add a certain amount of soil to the testing solution, shake the crap out of it and wait for the solids to settle. The resulting liquid will take on the color to indicate your medium's pH. You can use a handheld pH detector to do the same thing. It is my understanding that most varieties prefer a slightly acidic pH with the range 6.0 - 6.8. There is a lot of literature out there about pepper pH preference and I'm sure just as much on the soil specific forums on here.
 
redtails method sounds like the way to go to be honest. i dont think water run off will be that close to the soils PH. sounds like redtails kit uses ph neutral medium that dosent interfere with the soils ph. even adding water to soil such that a digital meter could be immersed to get a reading would alter the PH i imagine. idk tho i could easily be wrong.

i thought plants growing in soil were fairly tolerent to ph(5.5-6.5)? are you having trouble or something?
 
It just seems with the amazing pepper grow logs posted here, there would be more info on people testing their soil PH, if that is important. Maybe folks here just go for it and the hardy peppers really don't care!

@ RTForester, thanks, it probably is true the more thorough soil testing you mentioned is the way to go, but I would think the GenHydro kit would be of some help especially to little container plants. Also, yea, I should have posted in Grow Tech forum. I couldn't find much there either, even with a search of the forum using "PH". I have read several outside sources about recco pH. Seems like 6.0 is nirvana.

@ QQ: No major problem, just trying to figure what is important. Using the drainage water tests, my overwintering mix and some of my seedling mixes rate as 7.0 or mebbe lil higher. I had some really slow growth on some test plants with that. I read that coffee grounds were a pepper loving PH adjust downward so might try that.

Meanwhile, some store bought uber-blend mix came in at 4.5 to 5.O! Could I / Should I mix with my 7.0 blend to get a 6.0? It only depends if the testing method is viable!... :cool:
 
honestly im not the guy to ask about soil info, but if i were in your place. i would only focus on getting the appropriate PH going into the soil(assuming your soil isnt crazy low or high PH). i would think the soil ph would follow that closely.
 
If you are really concerned, you can send a soil sample to your local agriculture extension office or conservation district. There may be be a nominal fee for the service of testing but shouldn't be anything real bad.
 
i would only focus on getting the appropriate PH going into the soil(assuming your soil isnt crazy low or high PH). i would think the soil ph would follow that closely.
QQ, I was thinking that also. The Pro-Gro and Karma nute mix I'm using comes in at 6.0, so over the course of time, hopefully it should level out to that area.

If you are really concerned, you can send a soil sample to your local agriculture extension office or conservation district. There may be be a nominal fee for the service of testing but shouldn't be anything real bad.
RTF, Naw, too lazy for that! I'm just trying a few different container soils for now. Really my goal for starting this thread was to see if my method was good, and also to get a feel for how many are testing their container soil. Apparently, not many!

I use a digital pH tester. Grab some soil; some water of a known pH; mix the soil and water well and then test.
you can buy a digital ph meter on Ebay for $11.02 which includes shipping cost
Thanks, guys. Are these reliable?
 
I check my soil ph EVERY season. I use a rapidtest kit probably much like RTF. It has a little container marked with ph levels. Add some water to the dirt, add a ph capsule which comes with the kit, and wait. These work well. I have used the GH drops but only for testing liquid ph.

I have also found that watering with a constant ph will eventually slightly buffer the soil ph. Especially in a container. It takes WWWAAAAAAAYYYYYYY longer to buffer the ph of the ground with liquid. I add dolomite lime to my raised beds to get the ph between 5.8 and 6.5. Over a course of a season while watering with 7.8 tap water, it only raises by a couple points. On the other hand, a container can raise by 4 or 5 points(ie 6.0 - 6.4 or6.5)... I don't think this is enough to matter.

Ph is as or more important than nutrient levels. Incorrect PH and a plant can grow poorly. In my experience, unless the soil is below 5.5 or above 8, its all good. But I aim for slightly above 6... Works good for me...

I once used a very acidic soil meant for azaleas. I planted maters in it. It measured 5.0 ph. I watered with 7.8 Plants grew in it, but not like in 6.0.
 
It seems MOST mid-grade to premium grade potting soil is suitable to grow peppers. MAybe that is the reason not many people check it. Alot of people put weight in the idea that they are buying a "GOOD" soil. After all, If i buy soil that doesn't allow a plant to grow well, I won't buy it again.....so I imagine the soil manufacturers pay some attention to PH!
 
Thanks NTCJ! excellent advice. This spring, I will go to some extra lengths to pH test my garden soil, as I'll be building and amending some raised beds and in addition to compost and manures, adding quite a bit of pine bark fines. From what you and guys like SilverSpur and Tonly suggest, I think I'll be in need of some dolomite lime, which in the past I would have just blown off. I'll definitely check to be sure.

Thanks for the reassurance on the potting soil, also. I'm feeling much more confident as I get this info..... :cool:
 
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