Alkaline sphagnum mix?

[CP30]

I just bought one of those 3 in 1 soil/light testers. I tested my mini bogs and pots - - my sarr mini bogs are not acidic at all!!! I know I never tested the sand, I am guessing that it has raised the acidity beyond neutral. The plants are just coming out of dormancy and are shooting up flowers. They have been planted in this sphagnum/sand mix for about 18 months now and did well last summer.
Any thoughts on what I should do?
Should I replant?
Can I make the soil acidic again? Will it only be temporary?
Other than testing each batch/brand of sand, how can I be sure I am getting neutral sand?

 

[endparenthesis]

I don't think I'd argue with 18 months of good results.

 

[Tony Paroubek]

Maybe the meter is not working correctly? I don't think those little comb probe meters are really all that capable of measuring pH accurately. I would get one of those soil test kits for pH to double check it. I also find it odd that it would be so far off and your plants did fine so far but hey you never know. Maybe the sand is indeed a problem and it has taken some time to have an effect.

 

[CP30]

Quote[/b] (endparenthesis @ Mar. 19 2005,11:37)]I don't think I'd argue with 18 months of good results.

I agree, I do not want to jump the gun and mess with the plants just as they are emerging from dormancy!

I will get a soil test kit this week, but I did test the probe in pure vinegar with a label that reads "diluted to 5%." I do not know if 5% equates to a pH of 5, but the meter did read 5 for the vinegar and 7-8 for the soil in my bogs. The sand itself (I put some in water overnight) tests at 8.

What is the best (safest) sand to use for cp's?

 

[Tony Paroubek]

5% vinegar it should be around pH 2 or somewhere around there.

Pure Silica sand is best.  You can get it as a pool filter medium from pool stores.  Search for sand on the forums and you will bring up piles and piles of threads on the subject.

Tony

 

[CP30]

Thanks for the tip Tony!
I found exactly what I have been wondering. I will search out SILICA sand. That should solve my "problem"

 

[Woodnative]

Just noticed your thread. Unfortunately those kits have a lot of error. You can send a sample to a soil testing laboratory, or alternatively take a sample to a local university, lab, maybe even high school that might have a more accurate pH meter. You can mix two parts water to one part soil and then test. I would not argue with healthy plants also.
If you have sand of unknown origin, you can put a couple drops of acid on it (I am not sure if vinegar would be strong enough or not) and if you see "fizzling" you probably have a something you do not want to use. Good luck and keep us posted on your results!!!

 

[StifflerMichael]

I've heard of some people who put pine needles in their soil mix to increase the acidity.

 

[Jason_In_CO]

Try testing it on DI water. It should read perfectly neutral. That should tell you whether your kit is working properly.