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Topic: Lowering PH of water  (Read 20803 times)

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Offline booboo

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Lowering PH of water
« on: May 09, 2009, 09:02:56 PM »
I have some blueberry plants that I would like to plant in the ground.  The problem is the plants like a PH of 4.5 to 5.0 and the PH of the soil is 7.0 and so is the water I use to irrigate the plants.  I am looking for a way to lower the PH of the water to 4.5 to 5.0 in order to lower the PH of the soil so the plants will grow.  I think the best idea is to find somethin that is water soliable that I can put inline with the irrigation system.  Obviously something that would not kill the plants or be toxic as we plan to eat the fruit.  Any ideas?


Offline Arkcon

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Re: Lowering PH of water
« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2009, 12:14:34 AM »
Generally, to gradually, and permanatly, lower the pH of soil, you add organic material, that decomposes, it more acid compounds -- things like manure, compost and the like.  The garden store sells them.

To lower the pH of irrigation water, quickly, you add mineral acid.  Any one will work, just a tiny amount will lower the pH of plain water significantly --sulfuric is fine, nitric is nice, because plants need nitrate.  The tiny amount of hydrochloric needed wouldn't likely hurt plants, but over time, the buildup of chloride ions will lead to a saline environment.

Keep checking the pH of the soil  as you work it.  You want the pH as close to 5.0, or even higher, as possible.  The lower the pH is, the better blueberries will grow.  Yes slightly lower than 4.5 will help buleberries grow better.  But the berries they produce in very low pH soil will be too sour to be edible.  I've experienced that firsthand.
Hey, I'm not judging.  I just like to shoot straight.  I'm a man of science.

Offline booboo

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Re: Lowering PH of water
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2009, 11:39:29 AM »
I am thinking of using this http://www.dripirrigation.com/drip_irrigation_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=230 to inject the acid into the water. 

I am having a hard time finding a place to purchase the acid.  Anyone know where to buy this stuff?  What about Phosphoric or citric acid?

Offline booboo

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Re: Lowering PH of water
« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2009, 11:52:14 AM »

Offline booboo

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Re: Lowering PH of water
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2009, 10:28:08 PM »
Any one?

What about this http://www.essentialdepot.com/servlet/the-8/8-lbs-Technical-Grade/Detail

Oops, wrong URL.

I have done more reasearch and decided on urea sulfuric acid.  Anyone know where to buy it and does it come in granulated form?

Offline 408

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Re: Lowering PH of water
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2009, 12:31:50 AM »
Go with nitric, then you get fertilizer goodness.
Product : http://www.technaflora.com/products.php?product=14

Thats right plant store nitric acid. :D  Titrated around 1.5M.

Offline AWK

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Re: Lowering PH of water
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2009, 04:31:28 AM »
Any one?

What about this http://www.essentialdepot.com/servlet/the-8/8-lbs-Technical-Grade/Detail

Oops, wrong URL.

I have done more reasearch and decided on urea sulfuric acid.  Anyone know where to buy it and does it come in granulated form?
Would you like to eat berries or sulfuric acid?
Use much peat with pH below 5.0 instead.
AWK

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