Vinegar to lower pH
 

I have been using Vinegar to lower my pH in a hydroponic system. Is
there any reason that I shouldn't be doing this?

Thanks
John

Vinegar to lower pH
 

In article ,
(John Paner) wrote:

I have been using Vinegar to lower my pH in a hydroponic system. Is
there any reason that I shouldn't be doing this?

Thanks
John

I've never done hydroponic gardening so others may know better. In
container gardening, though, if you are not using rainwater or distilled
water, there WILL be salt build-ups over time no matter what you do.
Adding rather than subtracting impurities to the water in order to alter
pH up or down will not slow down the process of salt buildup in the soils.
This is usually dealt with by changing the containers' soil at intervals
(outside in the ground the salts presumedly have opportunities to wash on
through the soils during rains). Vinegar neutralizes the effects of, but
does not eradicate the presence, of impurities & salts that will continue
to build up over time. I'm not aware of the vinegar per se being harmful,
certainly not in mere tablespoons highly diluted, & it breaks down readily
into nutrients. Still, as vinegar is a natural source of copper, it WOULD
be adding some salts to whatever was already there, so that after a great
while the level of impurities could reach a toxic level -- unless tray &
container soils are periodically replaced, in which case no biggie.

-paghat the ratgirl

--
"Of what are you afraid, my child?" inquired the kindly teacher.
"Oh, sir! The flowers, they are wild," replied the timid creature.
-from Peter Newell's "Wild Flowers"
See the Garden of Paghat the Ratgirl: http://www.paghat.com/

Vinegar to lower pH
 

John Paner wrote:

I have been using Vinegar to lower my pH in a hydroponic system. Is
there any reason that I shouldn't be doing this?

Thanks
John



Vinegar is frequently used to lower pH of water used to store cut
flowers. Citric acid is also used for this. Both are fairly weak acids
and easy to handle, but vinegar is more readily available, is cheaper in
home gardener quantities, and you probably have some around the house
anyway.

Vinegar to lower pH
 

The sour smell perhaps?


John Paner wrote in message
om...
I have been using Vinegar to lower my pH in a hydroponic system. Is
there any reason that I shouldn't be doing this?

Thanks
John

Vinegar to lower pH
 

"John Paner" wrote in message
om...
I have been using Vinegar to lower my pH in a hydroponic system. Is
there any reason that I shouldn't be doing this?

Should not present any problems. May actually help keep system cleaner as
most acetates, eg calcium, are more soluble.
Frank

Vinegar to lower pH
 

it is organic and used by bacteria. little residual for keeping pH down. use
hydrochloric instead (aka muriatic acid at the hardware store). careful, the stuff
is potent. Ingrid

(John Paner) wrote:

I have been using Vinegar to lower my pH in a hydroponic system. Is
there any reason that I shouldn't be doing this?

Thanks
John



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