PH Meter

edwmax · 02-07-2017, 12:37 PM

If you don't have one, get one. I got a PH meter yesterday at Tractor supply (Burpee). This morning I found out how valuable it was.

I've been having some problems with my potted plants over the past month (45 days?). I thought was due to depleted fertilizer and lack of nutrients and was making adjustments to correct. ... I checked the PH. A couple of the pots were 6.5; other were at 5 or 5.5 (slight acid); one pot was at 3 (very acid). I didn't under stand this since I treated all the pots the same.

I mix 2 teaspoons of lime to a quart of water and added a little to all the pots. The one pot at 3 suddenly had a very strong smell of ammonia; which meant a problem with the soil. A Chem reaction making excess nitrogen, all not good.

This problem pot was my Truly Tiny. It suddenly died back this past month; but it was growing a good looking pup. So I have repotted it.

What I noticed is my potting soil was not reacting with the lime. I think when the Truly Tiny was repotted last November, the nursery soil was not removed from the root ball and I fill in around the root ball in a larger pot. This was the soil with the ammonia smell and I believe it was composting in the pot causing nitrogen lockup. ... Anyway there were a lot of healthy roots after washing the root ball, so I hope for a couple of more pups soon.

I plan on going back to that nursery tomorrow for 2 more Tinys and I will be asking about their potting soil and mix. I saw their mix had a lot of large bark chips which I think indicate they use fresh bark in the potting mix.

I consider the $18 meter more than paid for itself today.

beam2050 · 02-07-2017, 12:55 PM

I don't know but if they are using pine bark that could make it acidic. love my meter I keep in my back pocket with these pots. I purchased mine at lowes. I do not know exactly what ph to run but it is my understanding bananas should have slightly acidic soil?

Richard · 02-07-2017, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beam2050

I don't know but if they are using pine bark that could make it acidic. love my meter I keep in my back pocket with these pots. I purchased mine at lowes. I do not know exactly what ph to run but it is my understanding bananas should have slightly acidic soil?

Most plants -- including bananas prefer a pH near 6.25.

pH meters sold for potted plants are designed to work with clayless potting mixes. Using them in backyard soils containing clay usually provides poor measurements.

Mark Dragt · 03-02-2017, 09:39 PM

Just ordered a PH meter online. I should have it in a few days.

edwmax · 03-03-2017, 05:59 AM

Let us know what you find with your soil. ... Also, keep the metal pins clean. I read that oxidation of the metals can case incorrect readings.

Mark Dragt · 03-03-2017, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwmax

Let us know what you find with your soil. ... Also, keep the metal pins clean. I read that oxidation of the metals can case incorrect readings.

Will do. Great advice in the probes. Makes sence.

Mark Dragt · 03-26-2017, 04:28 PM

I tested with my meter in 5 different spots. Readings were from 6.1 to 6.6. I think I can live with that.

02-07-2017, 12:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
edwmax Location: Cairo, Ga Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 2,891 BananaBucks : 115,407 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,740 Times Was Thanked 4,437 Times in 2,093 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 414 Times	PH Meter If you don't have one, get one. I got a PH meter yesterday at Tractor supply (Burpee). This morning I found out how valuable it was. I've been having some problems with my potted plants over the past month (45 days?). I thought was due to depleted fertilizer and lack of nutrients and was making adjustments to correct. ... I checked the PH. A couple of the pots were 6.5; other were at 5 or 5.5 (slight acid); one pot was at 3 (very acid). I didn't under stand this since I treated all the pots the same. I mix 2 teaspoons of lime to a quart of water and added a little to all the pots. The one pot at 3 suddenly had a very strong smell of ammonia; which meant a problem with the soil. A Chem reaction making excess nitrogen, all not good. This problem pot was my Truly Tiny. It suddenly died back this past month; but it was growing a good looking pup. So I have repotted it. What I noticed is my potting soil was not reacting with the lime. I think when the Truly Tiny was repotted last November, the nursery soil was not removed from the root ball and I fill in around the root ball in a larger pot. This was the soil with the ammonia smell and I believe it was composting in the pot causing nitrogen lockup. ... Anyway there were a lot of healthy roots after washing the root ball, so I hope for a couple of more pups soon. I plan on going back to that nursery tomorrow for 2 more Tinys and I will be asking about their potting soil and mix. I saw their mix had a lot of large bark chips which I think indicate they use fresh bark in the potting mix. I consider the $18 meter more than paid for itself today. __________________

02-07-2017, 12:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
beam2050 banana cereal killer Location: middleburg fl. Find me on the map! Zone: 9b-8a Name: walkinbeam Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 2,446 BananaBucks : 320 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 10,902 Times Was Thanked 3,386 Times in 1,554 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 817 Times	Re: PH Meter I don't know but if they are using pine bark that could make it acidic. love my meter I keep in my back pocket with these pots. I purchased mine at lowes. I do not know exactly what ph to run but it is my understanding bananas should have slightly acidic soil? __________________ ................................................... npk of wood ash 0/1/3 to 0/3/7 npk of banana leaf ash 1.75/0.75/0.5

03-02-2017, 09:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mark Dragt Location: Rochester,Wa Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 823 BananaBucks : 49,154 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,357 Times Was Thanked 1,718 Times in 635 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 332 Times	Re: PH Meter Just ordered a PH meter online. I should have it in a few days. __________________ Mark's Banana Forest Paradise

03-03-2017, 05:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
edwmax Location: Cairo, Ga Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 2,891 BananaBucks : 115,407 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,740 Times Was Thanked 4,437 Times in 2,093 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 414 Times	Re: PH Meter Let us know what you find with your soil. ... Also, keep the metal pins clean. I read that oxidation of the metals can case incorrect readings. __________________

03-26-2017, 04:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mark Dragt Location: Rochester,Wa Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 823 BananaBucks : 49,154 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,357 Times Was Thanked 1,718 Times in 635 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 332 Times	Re: PH Meter I tested with my meter in 5 different spots. Readings were from 6.1 to 6.6. I think I can live with that. __________________ Mark's Banana Forest Paradise

Members currently in the chatroom: 0
	The most chatters online in one day was 17, 09-06-2009. No one is currently using the chat.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Does anyone use moisture meter?	cbezak	Banana Plant Health And Maintenance Topics	4	07-29-2017 11:59 AM
plant moisture meter ?	edzone9	Main Banana Discussion	4	01-04-2013 12:01 PM
Soil pH Meter?	RandyGHO	Main Banana Discussion	3	07-24-2012 12:51 PM
Anyone knows a good ph-meter	bananafarmer	Main Banana Discussion	1	05-07-2012 05:34 PM
your pH meter might be broken if ...	Richard	Tiki Hut	49	04-08-2008 11:54 PM