I think I'm doing something pretty dumb.... some chemistry schooling needed.......

:angry5:

Ok, so my cheap ass (that lives in a state with no hydro stores, fyi) decided to use, as a pH up, baking soda. The flower nutes I have (alaska) really make my pH bottom out, and I knew baking soda would bring the pH back up to where I needed.

As an ex-chemist, I am ashamed that I completely forgot what baking soda's chemical compound really is: NaHCO3. Sodium!!!! WTF am I retarded???? I know baking soda is a buffer, can react with both acid and base (forgot what the hell THAT'S called...) but will it do more than react with another substance? Can it break down into Na ions (to form evil SALTS!), and carbonic acid? Is there anything in the soil that could cause this reaction?

Am I thinking way too much into this???????

the reason I'm concerned is that I have some funky leaves that I've been unable to diagnose (I use ICMag's handy dandy diagnosis guide) and I thought I was on top of my nutes and pH this go-around....

p-p-p-p-please, anyone have any 0.02 on this? calling other chem dorks for a brain-picking, it's been years and years since I've been through acid-base class!!!! I need to be schooled!!!!


GTWT
:XXhippylove:

 

Just eat some baking soda and piss on the plants, they'll be fine.


This is what I can suggest with limited chemistry knowledge

 

for pH down, if i need it at all, which is rarely, i splash in a little vinegar.


i'd like to use something around the house as a base to up pH, but yeah, like lye, the only things I can think of or have access to that are basic (bleach, egads) are not good at all for plants, i'm sure.


i've had to add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to a gallon before, to get pH in range, because my tap pH has been a bit low lately, then throw in some alaska flower nutes, and i'm down to about 3.5, zoinks.


if I have to, i'll buy some stuff online, but i thought there might be other alternatives out there, if my sodium bicarb is not good for plants.


and major, hey, thanks for stopping in, but... i'm a chick.... pissing on plants doesn't work out so well with the parts i have. ouch. poke.


thanks guys


GTWT


:XXhippylove:

 

but it comes in handy in the manufacture of meth! :thumbs-up:

 

These guys are pointing you in the right direction. As far as the Na ion forming salts, I doubt there'd be enough to form anything of note. As for carbonic acid, I'm sure you recall it is VERY unstable and even if it DID form, it wouldn't last long in an environment such as in the soil. Think of the last time you opened a can of (insert carbonated beverage here). That sound you hear is the release of broken down carbonic acid. Just the agitation of moving the can is enough to get it to break down into its much more stable components. It's also why if you let a drink sit out long enough, it goes flat. All your carbonation (carbonic acid) has broken down and can no longer make fizz.


Class dismissed :beerchug-2:

 

thanks, guys!


pharmdoc, i've been schooled. it's sad how much i used to know (and love) about chemistry, but i've forgotten. i remember enough, it seems like, to totally confuse myself! it's this - no wait, it does this! no, what if it's this instead??? shit, where's my chem book???? argh!


ofo - that's wacky, your water is always too high. what do you use for flower nutes? mine is WAY acidic stuff!!! are you hydro, where you need lower?


scotty - mmmmmm, meth. really cool stuff........





GTWT


:XXhippylove:

 

no kidding! get some muratic acid from Chris and you'll be well on your way!

 

ph up & down


Lemon juce or vinigar for down dolamite lime or sodium bicarbonate for down