WTF? When I mix my solution I get the pH to around 5.8. I pour it on (hempy, straight perlite) and when it comes out the bottom....the pH is over 7. Again, WTF? How is this happening? What could be causing it? Should I adjust to 5, figuring it will raise to 6? Dix
LOL! I never had checked runoff before, either! I dont even know what made me do it....kinda wish I hadnt! For all I know, this always happens and is perfectly normal. The plants look FINE, growing like crazy, no signs of a problem. Im just wondering WHY and HOW. (Inquiring Minds Want to Know) It's just....strange. OK, then. Screw it, I wont worry about it. Thanks, Teamy. HUG Dix
ONe reason is the perlite does store a certain amount of nutrient. So when you water you are flushing some residue out of the perlite. Continued flushing would bring the ph runoff back to 5.8 t6
I would, seeing as how you are recirculating your nutrient solution. As the plants absorb nutrients and leave behind salts and absorb water the concentrations of nutrients as well as the pH will start to fluctuate. That is why in hydroponics systems you need to do periodic reservoir changes. That's why with hempy I always follow a feed, feed, water regimen and when I water I give enough so there is plenty of runoff that way I know my pH will always stay within range and my nutrient strength will always be close to what I measured it at.
Tell ya something I ran into. When I am root bound in 7 inch pots if I flush I have to immediately hit them with fresh nutes or they will go deficient in about two days. Dont know why exactly but am guessing being root bound has something to do as the plants are constantly looking for nutes. t6
I find that when mine are root bound in whatever sized container, they need water almost every other day anyway. Usually I don't flush unless I have a problem or am nearing harvest. I simply allow for a little excess runoff during feedings and plain waterings and that way I usually don't run into problems with pH or salt buildup etc.
WTF, Dix having same problem here. I know I read on here somewhere someone state to check runoff on hempy did it now I'm noid because it's out of whack. To all you guys, If it's okay to let high ph nutes set over night to get a proper PH reading, then wouldn't that be the same for the water coming out of the res on hempy?? Just asking becasue it makes sense, but it could be totally off base.
The only trouble I see in hempys is the amount of nutes used. Once you water its gone. On enf the nutes drain out and used for a week t6
Hempy's have a reservoir, and it's small. What happens over time is the nutrients build up as salts in this small reservoir. I have a patient running hempys now, using my GH formula. I have him flush/feed with 5 gallons of plain ph'd water once a week. His plants look perfect. Gotta watch the salt build up using small ressy's. Basic hydro 101. Cheers
I get the same thing with the runoff from my soil plants. I have checked it a couple times and its always the same, way off base. One key to solid growth in my opinion is good flushing, salts don't always build up quickly, but they still can, sometimes in 2 weeks or less You wouldn't poop in your toilet and let it sit there would you?? jk :flyy:
this is precisely why i never went down the hempy road, not pooping in my toilet and leaving it...but, i learned with ebb n flo that stagnant is not good. plus being perlite is pourous stuff can get in there n not flush out so clean in the end, which i think is pretty important in the end quality... i like it alot more when its perfect, rather than...pretty good.
I've ran hempy's for 2 years now and never had an issue with salt buildup. I think Mr. G would also state it to be a non-issue if you do things right.
Yes exactly, I wasn't pointing out any faults of the hempys method, salt build ups can occur in virtually any growing method, hydro, soil, hemp, and I would imagine any others
kron, good to see you back. I see you removed your ordering of GH seeds. You'll thank Useless.:thumbs-up: :anibong:
