Grow Mediums pH of Fox Farms Ocean Forest

[Stone420]

I tested new from the bag OF soil with a 1:1 soil slurry test AND a soil probe pH meter. Both tests came back the same and agreed at 5.8 pH. Feeling this was low, I called the support line at . I told them of my readings and they told me this was perfect....and my reading would be equal to around 6.5 pH in actual growing conditions and would be ideal for the plant.

WHAT...is this a truth or a load of BS????

However, I never did have the first issue with a grow I just harvested. I never saw any sign of lockout, deficiency or toxicity. In fact, I had a huge crop that was picture perfect. I did, however, use Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect base nutes, so this may have given me some pH forgiveness. I didn't use any nutes til around week 4 once the soil had given up some of the nutrients, and again, never saw any pH issues.

Has anyone heard that a 5.8 pH soil slurry test EQUALS 6.5 in growing conditions? Hummmmmm

 

[Boognelson87]

I have nothing but problems with fox farms of or happy frog. After 5 weeks my.ph in soil was 4.8. Took me 3 weeks to bring it to 6.0. Not bad considering soil ph is best around 6.2-6.8ish lol...? Personally i wouldnt mess with them. Only thing consistent with fox farms is inconsistency. Every batch is different and two thirds of people have problems. Now if you want to monitor ph everyday and babysit it by all means go for it or if you dont have another option. I think using a shovel out in the backyard is better than fox farms dirt.

 

[Stone420]

Only thing consistent with fox farms is inconsistency

That's funny and I agree.

Do you have any suggestions for a similar but more consistent soil that is available in at least some grow shops? I looked
at SoHum soils and was impressed. The sales rep even sent a coupon for a 10% discount. BUT the fly in the ointment was shipping costs which were MORE for shipping than for 2 bags of soil...as in over $50 for shipping alone. Yikes. There is no over the counter retailer in my area (South Eastern US) that I could visit and avoid shipping.

 

[Boognelson87]

That's funny and I agree.

Do you have any suggestions for a similar but more consistent soil that is available in at least some grow shops? I looked
at SoHum soils and was impressed. The sales rep even sent a coupon for a 10% discount. BUT the fly in the ointment was shipping costs which were MORE for shipping than for 2 bags of soil...as in over $50 for shipping alone. Yikes. There is no over the counter retailer in my area (South Eastern US) that I could visit and avoid shipping.

No sir not in my area. I tried burpee organics. Never again..got bugs and was just horrible slow plant growth. I now use promix found at menards or home depot. I love it. Just got to ph soil like coco. 5.8-6.0. My girls seem to love it. I made a hiccup not phing right and not feeding from day one. It doesnt have nutrients in it so gotta feed early. Ive heard roots organic is really good if you can get it locally.

 

[Stone420]

@Boognelson87, I actually bought a large bag/bale of Pro-Mix HP recently, but as you pointed out, I think there is a learning curve understanding the proper nute levels at first. The folks at my garden center love it and claim great success rates with it. I need to bite the bullet and try it on a grow knowing I may have to figure it out on the fly.

 

[Boognelson87]

Just feed them very lightly early on and ph like coco. When i planted my babies i pre watered the pot they were in with 1/8th strength grow nutrients and microbes then day 7 i did same. First 14 days with saturating the grow pot when you plant ive mostly seen only needing 2 waterings for first 14 days once a week. This was 2 or 3 days ago. 2x4 tent 5 foot tall with a qb and some blurples. 3 gallon pot and one on left by trash can is 2 gallon and 12 days younger than the one on right. I perpetually grow.

 

[Arthur]

Pay attention to where the shop you get the soil stores it. Many of the critters that soil companies get blamed for come from front end storage. Outside on a pallet and I go somewhere else.

Same issue with . 5.8 is not 6.5 and unless you know its low, your not anticipating to have to compensate.

 

[Proph]

Ph of soil fluctuates.. And yes, the ph of the soil will change once something is planted into the soil. The root zone ph will also be different than the ph of the pot edges.. 5.8 is fine for soil.. Soil ph should be between 5.5 and 7. Just like bottled nute feedings.. I personally dont believe in, or use a slurry test. Its just far to inaccurate. I've also never had a problem with fox farms soils and they are still the most used soil by canna growers today. Trying to raise or lower the ph of a store bought bag of soil like isnt as easy as it sounds. Organis soils have "ph buffers" that keep the ph between a certain level. Thats why ph'ing feeds isnt that important in organic soil. It will buffer itself and adjust. Can you post a pic of the soil probe reading? Im not sure how a slurry test and a soil probe both had the exact same results when conditions are completely different. I'm not sure how that happens.

 

[Boognelson87]

I suggest saving us all the time. Throw the fox farms away. Forget it and move on lol.

 

[Stone420]

I suggest saving us all the time. Throw the fox farms away. Forget it and move on lol.

Got a question...or a request you may say:

I'll ditch the and grow my next set of plants (Maui Wowie) photos in Pro-Mix HP if you'll be kind enough to stick with me a few weeks to help me get established. I use Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect nutes, but I still like to target my pH adjustments to keep in the range of the soil/medium I am using. Just a bit of help along the way if you'd be willing.

I've done some pretty good grows in the past. Here is a Blue Dream I cut last week.