Interesting water pH observation

[kgallego]

I've had several posts on here about trying to battle my issue of having a brown thumb. I have found that I'm an expert at making bugs thrive, and am successful in breeding and raising healthy panther cham's, but no matter what I've done, I just can't make plants thrive. Getting them to survive is pretty much all I have accomplished (with the exception of Golden Pothos - which will grow in just about any condition).

Here's some measures I have taken:

• Add perlite and vermiculite to soil, to improve draining - little to no results.
• Add earthworms to soil - no obvious results.
• Change soil to organic, and mix 50% soil and 50% grow stones for increased drainage - decent results.
• Put a highly perforated stainless steel screen as the base for my planting box to maximize draining - little results.
• Run drip line hoses through the soil and inject air with a pump 12 hours a day to ensure roots are getting enough oxygen - little results.

After all of this, I was flat out of ideas, until I decided to grow romaine lettuce hydroponically to support my walking stick colony. I found out at the hydroponic store that plants optimal growth is between 5.0-6.0 pH water. I tested the pH of my tap water and found it to be 8.5+.

Two weeks ago, I began treating my Mist King reservoir to drop the pH down to 6.0. Here's what I've noticed in two weeks:

• My ficus trees are sprouting new leaves. They haven't sprouted new leaves since I purchased them 8 months ago.
• My Golden Pothos vines seem to be growing at a faster rate.
• My struggling black eyed susan vine is shooting off new vines and climbing - It barely has been surviving.
• My Hibiscus plant appears to be sprouting leaves at a faster rate.
• And...here's the real kicker!...My male ambilobe's have an increased appetite, eating 2 superworms and 4 x 3/4inch dubia roaches a day.
• My male ambilobe's are showing brighter colors than they have ever!

I don't know if the results on the cham's are due to the water, or just coincidental, but it appears that I'm getting results.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[CarlC]

What are you using to drop the pH?

Carl

 

[kgallego]

It's a kit by General Hydroponics. It contains a pH up and pH down solution, along with a bottle of indicator.

 

[kdc5019]

That's awesome to hear Kelsey! You could have a green thumb all along! Haha

 

[bobcochran]

You're pH could be abnormally high because of the current drought conditions in Ca. right now. Without rain (pH~7) the water table is low, while the water sits in the ground it tends to dissolve mineral salts which raises the pH. Even still the water in the great valley tends to be a bit high unless Bakersfield gets it's water from the Sierra, which is closer to neutral.

I'm wondering how long your pH remains 6-7 after adding the pH down? Usually with all the minerals in the water it is so buffered you'll get a bounce back within a day or two.

 

[CarlC]

Id be cautious unless you know exactly what they are using to buffer. Most products use a strong acid(hydrochloric) to lower or a strong base(lye) to raise

Have you checked the pH after letting the water sit for a day without a lid. It will absord CO2 from the air in the room and most likely bring it down to around 7. CO2 injection is another option.

Carl

 

[kgallego]

Bob - I believe our water comes from the Kern river. I think the pH is altered in the treating of it, but I'm not sure.

Carl - I did some looking into it before I used to, unfortunately I was unable to find what they are using, but I'm assuming HCl. Honestly, as long as the pH is balanced, I don't see an issue with HCl. It dissipates with H+ and Cl- ions, and considering tap water generally has Cl- in it anyways, the only difference is the extra H+ ions - which is your pH of course.

 

[CarlC]

Cool. Some people get pretty shocked when they find out what is in the products.

Carl

 

[kgallego]

Cool. Some people get pretty shocked when they find out what is in the products.

Carl

Indeed. I'm taking a risk using it without knowing exactly what it is. The only thing that gives me peace of mind is being well educated in chemistry and also knowing that it doesn't kill plants....so I guess we'll see! lol

Thanks,

Kelsey