Grow Mediums pH of Fox Farms Ocean Forest

[Boognelson87]

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.

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Im on here pretty much everyday..im not expert by no means..but if youd be willing to stsrt a journal.i got a few peiple including myself willing to help. As many people on here thats helped me i try to give back and help. Nice plant too. If you choose to not make a journal feel free to personal message me.

 

[Boognelson87]

Do you have a ph pen? How about a ppm meter?

 

[AutoWonders]

Here is a Blue Dream I cut last week.

Groovy baby groovy. Happy smokin'.

 

[Stone420]

Groovy baby groovy. Happy smokin'.

I love the Blue Dream's effects, @AutoWonders.....seems to work well for me. This one was a photo, but I have several auto BD plants outdoors that are putting on a show! Looks like a month or so to go which will be ideal to harvest before it gets cool here in the South Eastern US.

 

[Stone420]

Im on here pretty much everyday..im not expert by no means..but if youd be willing to stsrt a journal.i got a few peiple including myself willing to help. As many people on here thats helped me i try to give back and help. Nice plant too. If you choose to not make a journal feel free to personal message me.

You are very kind to offer your support. I'm shifting over from my (too small) 2x2 135watt qb and upping the ante to a 2x4 that's 6'7" tall with a 320W HLG QB light. I don't think this equipment change will offer too many obstacles, but of course adding a new soilless mix will add more to the learning curve. (The 2x2 will become a nursery and stay in use)

I'll gladly begin a journal, but wanted to be cautious since this is an auto focus group and these Maui Wowie plants will be photos. Hope this will be acceptable with the group?

One drawback of an open post, and I say this with all due respect, is that I'll get lots of different opinions which at least some will conflict with others. I saw where one person (not AFN) offered a lengthy explanation of a product, and in reality, had never actually used the product themselves. They only offered up what had been read, BUT, I can usually filter out that extraneous noise and find genuine value in the discussion. And of course PM's can supplement the open discussion when there are points needing clarification.

Do you have a ph pen? How about a ppm meter?

Yes, I have a pH pen and a Bluelab direct soil pH probe that works a charm. I have a ppm meter as well, yes to both. One thing about Advanced Nutrients lineup is they are chelated to be pH forgiving. But, I still like to pH adjust my nute water to the level I choose based on the medium. For soil I was adjusting to 6.5, but for soiless as in Pro-Mix, I may ask your advice to go a bit lower such as 6.0 - 6.2 toward the coco range.

AN has a feeding chart that starts on week 1, but week one in all actuality is like beginning week 3 after emergence. I talked with AN about this, and they say to start their light feeding schedule in week 3 as mentioned since the cotyledons are feeding the plant right at first. AN loves Pro-Mix btw - probably so since you use more nutes vs OF which self feeds for a month.

And thanks for the support and friendship!

 

[karlkutta]

What's up! I'm in OF and got alot of negative feedback about it. Also I have had my share of challenges with the grow but since I started less than a year ago it may all just be part of the experience.

By the way I am also on AN ph'd stuff.
One interesting thing I came across was that while my pH was usually in low 6's, my runoff was way low. And since I never paid attention my PPM was somewhere in the 3000's of said runoff.

I just started watching all these numbers closer and will recycle my oF and amend it to hopefully make a better soil.

 

[Stone420]

What's up! I'm in OF and got alot of negative feedback about it. Also I have had my share of challenges with the grow but since I started less than a year ago it may all just be part of the experience.

By the way I am also on AN ph'd stuff.
One interesting thing I came across was that while my pH was usually in low 6's, my runoff was way low. And since I never paid attention my PPM was somewhere in the 3000's of said runoff.

I just started watching all these numbers closer and will recycle my oF and amend it to hopefully make a better soil.

I was told to expect PPM runoff to be high as in thru the roof high using AN nutes. Also, if you look at pH runoff with these nutes, you'll get all screwed up...LOL. SO, I was told to put the meters and pens in the cabinet, and the chelated action of AN products would take it from there. To be honest, this has worked for me...very well I may add.

But I am still feeling the OF soil is in charge and I have little to say about it. The soil breaks down when it is good and ready, then releases nutes from this decomposition when it is good and ready...which all means the grower has no actual control of nute releases or how to feed accurately as a result. Flush as we may, the soil just breaks down some more and we are back to chasing our tail. The good thing is this happens for around a month, then the soil stabilizes after most of the nutes have been released.

With Pro-Mix, there is nothing to break down, so we as growers must be savvy enough to feed when needed. But, we can make that decision and not depend on the soil to make it for us.

 

[karlkutta]

I was told to expect PPM runoff to be high as in thru the roof high using AN nutes. Also, if you look at pH runoff with these nutes, you'll get all screwed up...LOL. SO, I was told to put the meters and pens in the cabinet, and the chelated action of AN products would take it from there. To be honest, this has worked for me...very well I may add.

But I am still feeling the OF soil is in charge and I have little to say about it. The soil breaks down when it is good and ready, then releases nutes from this decomposition when it is good and ready...which all means the grower has no actual control of nute releases or how to feed accurately as a result. Flush as we may, the soil just breaks down some more and we are back to chasing our tail. The good thing is this happens for around a month, then the soil stabilizes after most of the nutes have been released.

With Pro-Mix, there is nothing to break down, so we as growers must be savvy enough to feed when needed. But, we can make that decision and not depend on the soil to make it for us.

Well I checked the ppm before it went into the pot, then at run off, and then did all that once she was flushed and the difference is staggering. I believe you do need to watch those things. I would rather not but better know what's going on vs turning a blind eye. But if your plants are healthy and there is absolutely no issue, I wouldn't worry either.

 

[Stone420]

better know what's going on vs turning a blind eye

This is exactly how I feel, and to turn a blind eye in my opinion equates to giving up any control I have in the process.

Thusly, a good bit of my decision to shift soils is based on this very factor. I got lucky with this grow, but never know what happens on the next one. Like you, I rather know than to trust blindly. I think OF needs to be understood, and I have had good results with it.

 

[Arthur]

Many options to growing, like cars, some are very content driving a pickup truck. Others need a drift car on the street.
... good, fast & cheap. Pick 2.