FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

long story short, my little brother decorated his VFT with some rocks and after testing the soil a month later with a ph meter, its currently around 8.5 - 8.9

He started with the same supplies as me using a plastic pot, watered with rain water for the first month and distilled water for the last month. My two plant's ph currently measures 6.8 - 7.4. We both used the same soil, link is
https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Carnivor ... den&sr=1-3

The only difference from out plants were his rocks he added. So i'm assuming they contaminated the soil.

I've read that adding sulfur would lower the PH, does anyone have reccomendations? Is there a water mix solution that can be made to help lower it?

I would probably just do a repot and call it a day but you can mix a little vinegar into a gallon of water and that would probably do the trick, but easy does it, too much vinegar will cause death. Another option is to make some strong black tea and water with the that, after allowing it to cool down of course. The second option is safer than the first but the first is easier than the second, so dealers choice. I've tried both, and both work for lowering soil ph, but you need to flush the soil well for best effect.

Thanks for the info, we'll stick to the safest option and just do a repot.

Huntsmanshorn wrote: ↑Fri Oct 30, 2020 9:47 pm I would probably just do a repot and call it a day but you can mix a little vinegar into a gallon of water and that would probably do the trick, but easy does it, too much vinegar will cause death. Another option is to make some strong black tea and water with the that, after allowing it to cool down of course. The second option is safer than the first but the first is easier than the second, so dealers choice. I've tried both, and both work for lowering soil ph, but you need to flush the soil well for best effect.

Just wanted to come back and say we did a repot, and WOW. after about 3 days the plant is already looking greener and happier.
For anyone in a similar situation, would highly reccomend about just doing a repot instead of trying to mess with the soil.

bleuAylien wrote: ↑Mon Nov 02, 2020 4:28 pm Just wanted to come back and say we did a repot, and WOW. after about 3 days the plant is already looking greener and happier.
For anyone in a similar situation, would highly reccomend about just doing a repot instead of trying to mess with the soil.

Yup, smart move, I think your plant (and you) will definitely be happier with your chosen course.

bleuAylien wrote: ↑Mon Nov 02, 2020 4:28 pm Just wanted to come back and say we did a repot, and WOW. after about 3 days the plant is already looking greener and happier.
For anyone in a similar situation, would highly reccomend about just doing a repot instead of trying to mess with the soil.

Flytraps should be re-potted every year or 2 anyway in late winter/early spring. Glad to here it's looking better!