MIMedGrower
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In buffered (including lime or oyster shell) potting soil monitoring ph is still important. But you cant really adjust it. Well shouldnt. It will always try return to the preset ph.
If its low there is likely too much fertilizer build up. If it is high too much calcium buildup or possibly underfeeding.
But normal tap water will not change the ph regardless of the waters ph. Well maybe if it has been overly flushed with tons of water and the lime has washed out too much. But i have multiple flushed out plants in pots up to 12 weeks that still show set ph. 6.5 in ocean forest for example. I never adjust ph for water or nutes and use 8.0 ph well water. But it has only 150 ppm of mineral content. About perfect.
What is important is to know whats in your source water and how it interacts with the nutrients and soil.
If its low there is likely too much fertilizer build up. If it is high too much calcium buildup or possibly underfeeding.
But normal tap water will not change the ph regardless of the waters ph. Well maybe if it has been overly flushed with tons of water and the lime has washed out too much. But i have multiple flushed out plants in pots up to 12 weeks that still show set ph. 6.5 in ocean forest for example. I never adjust ph for water or nutes and use 8.0 ph well water. But it has only 150 ppm of mineral content. About perfect.
What is important is to know whats in your source water and how it interacts with the nutrients and soil.