I read somewhere that using a pH of 5.2 would increase the plant growing rate, at a tremendous speed. So far, It looks like it has worked. But the leaves are droopy and not all seven leaves have formed. Is this a result of the pH being too low? I am using a hydro set. The feeding is set for three times a day, and the ppm's are between 600-700. The leaves are really green with deep line indentions. The leaves are starting to form better but, I am still concerned because we are about to start flowering in about 8 days or so.

i'm not sure, but i think your PPM may be too hight. look it up or someone else may confirm this, but i believe the optimum PPM would be more around 300-400 PPM. don't think it would be the too low of PH. good luck!!

It depends on how old your plants are. If your plants are close to flowering stage then I would go with 1200-1300 ppm. As for your PH I try to keep it between 5.5 and 6.0. I have read many books and none seem to agree, but if I keep it in that range my plants are happy.

I keep my Ph between 5.5 and 6.0
I have my ppm at 600 for clones and seedlings and at 1400-1600 for growth and flowering
my base ppm [ before nutes] is 300.
i feed every 2 hours when the lights are on and every 4 hours when they are off.
if things are dialed in right i get 2-4 inches of growth a day.
peace
heart

Once your plants have had a surge of growth the ppm should definitley be way up.. above 800.. probably 1200+..

keep the ph at 6.0

it will fluctuate.. you shuld aim for 6... if you aim for 5.2 you may be asking for problems.... your leaves should be green. if theyt are light green you definitley need to raise the ppm..

: )

picts?

Thanks for all the great Info, I really needed to hear that. This is my second project, and I have gone in it with somebody else. He is all raving about this 5.2, but I have been worried ever since. My first project was world class Mary Jane with the ph being at 6.0. But he wont listen to my advice, he thinks that the drastic change in the pH will shock or even kill the plants. I am also wondering if anybody knows if one can use carbonated water to spray on the leaves as a cheap form of CO2? Is this true

Thanks for the much needed LOVE,

Keep Blazin 420

Im out!!!!!!

This is what I use as a rule of thumb
hydro
Seedling 375-500 ppm ph 5.3-5.5
early vegitive 500-600 ppm ph 5.3-5.5
late vegg 800-1000 ppm ph 5.3-5.5
early flower 1000-1200 ppm ph 5.5-5.8
middle to late flower 1200-1400 ppm ph 5.5-5.8
close to harvest 800-1000 ppm ph 5.5-5.8
harvest week 400-600 ppm ph 5.3-5.5
BBB

about your co2 carbonated water, it does work, but try to keep that to a minimum as the water droplets act as magnifying glasses to you plant and could burn them. other cheap supplements for co2 are you breath (breath on them when you are visiting them), vinegar and baking soda is good. sugar,water, and yeast (but NOT for hydroponics, that could screw your whole system with a yeast infection!!!) and ONLY if you are around, you can use a candle as it lets off co2 as it burns oxygen. make sure you put it in an empty coffee can and ALWAY be around and put it where nothing is abovie the coffee can. some cheap ways to get some co2.

Thanks for all the info, I hope one day, I can return the favor in any way I can.

Keep Blazin
MUCH LOVE
420

safe range is 5.8 - 6.3