Odd one-off pH spike ?

[JimmyPage]

Started using Shogun nutes in soft water DWC after years of using Vitalink.

 

This is my second grow, and as with the first grow, it seems something caused the pH to spike to 7.0, causing a rather poorly looking plant.

 

Made up a little pH down and added enough take it down to 5.9

 

Odd thing is now - after 4 days, it's staying at 5.9

 

Will be changing nutes tomorrow and obviously will check pH daily.

 

However last plant, after that initial pH depression never needed it again.

 

Does this make sense to anyone ?

 

Clearly the plant took some acidity from the nutes, causing pH to rise. But why did it stop ? 

[Shumroom]

I'm surprised that @stu sleeper 20vt, @stu914, @Punta Roja or @badbillybob haven't replied.

 

I spent most of my time growing in compost and now use coco,

so I'm definitely no expert on DWC.

 

I think when the pH remains stable,

it's a sign that plants are drinking and feeding at the same rate.

 

I might be totally wrong,

but this is how you learn eh

 

You've got to make a few mistakes in order to get good at anything.

 

 

Hopefully you'll get a response from one or more of the folk I've tagged soon.

 

Atb

 

 

 

[stu914]

@GSZZ

 

Strange one...what do you reckon bud?

 

Just had a little think about this...gave up adjusting ph years ago,

(I'm old and it's early so bear with)

As far as I'm aware adjusting ph brings the nutes into range allowing plants to uptake all the elements which are at different ph levels, hence setting at around ph 5.5 and allowing it to drift up to 6.2 before re-setting...don't think plants uptake ph down/up.

 

If this spike is only happening once and settles after that I would guess it's something to do with the initial ph setting. Does adding the nutes affect it? Was it well mixed to start with?

Edited May 28 by stu914

[GSZZ]

If Jimmy is using the silicon, it could be that?

 

Also plants eat more nitrates in veg which will leave more potassium in the root zone, that can increase pH, and vice versa in flower. 

[stu914]

@GSZZ

 

Early bird...you at work already bud?

[Greenfingers95]

Could be a number of reasons I had this issue when using Rockwool years back and rushing when mixing nutes. 
 

in veg I use

house and garden aqua flakes a/b 

root excel 

ammino treatment 

multi zyme 

Algen extract 

And a splash of silver bullet 

 

root sponges and clay pebbles and the ph rarely creeps over 5.8

 

 

[GSZZ]

36 minutes ago, stu914 said:

@GSZZ

 

Early bird...you at work already bud?

 

Lol  no not yet mate, I had 100+kg of dogs pestering me first thing this morning  

 

 

[JimmyPage]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

 

Set pH to 6.0 with a touch of pH down last nute change (Sun) and it's staying constant. The key thing is the plant looks healthy and thriving.

 

I do find myself wondering if you have "easy" nutes that may be more forgiving, and "harder" ones that are better value, etc, but which need a muich closer eye on pH.

 

Another thing is I am nuting at the exact dosage the feed chart says, but my CF seems a little low. Again, healthy plants so not so fussed.

[stu914]

@JimmyPage

 

I use Advanced nutes PH Perfect which are more expensive but take the

whole PH checking and adjustment out.

They recommend using far more than is needed and it's probably the same with all nute companies who want to shift product, my grows are using around 1/2 strength what's on the bottle. Keep a close eye on the plant tips for burn and CF levels.

Have you got a Bluelab Truncheon?

With summer coming res temp is critical, needs to be 18c - 22c...below the plants won't grow well and above is inviting root rot, one of the main reasons I came out of it.

ATB

Edited May 31 by stu914

[badbillybob]

high ph can be a sign of root rot/pyth.

have a look at the roots and tell us how they look?