So I started noticing what seemed to look like Mg deficiency on my plants but a more experienced grower pointed out that it may indeed be Mn deficiency from my high alkaline tap water (pH 8.1, 155 ppm). By this time, I had already top dressed my plants with pellet unhydrated garden lime to supplement Mg and raise pH. I'm in FFOF soil which has a pH of 6; I was told the soil would buffer the pH so it wouldn't be necessary to adjust the pH of my tap water... however, there's clearly an issue and my soil is now at a pH of 7.4 confirming that it is indeed a Mn deficiency which is starting to spread.
So here's my question: should I add something like peat moss to make the soil more acidic (considering FFOF already has a pH of 6) OR just start watering with pH adjusted tap water (assuming the soil will eventually get back to the optimal range since the water will be adjusted correctly) OR water using RO / Distilled Water with no trace minerals at all?
Any help would be appreciated!
So here's my question: should I add something like peat moss to make the soil more acidic (considering FFOF already has a pH of 6) OR just start watering with pH adjusted tap water (assuming the soil will eventually get back to the optimal range since the water will be adjusted correctly) OR water using RO / Distilled Water with no trace minerals at all?
Any help would be appreciated!