Acid Soil For House Plants

[Coppit]

My antherium needs a pH of 5,0 - 5.5 but my meter shows very little above zero. One plant doesn't justify buying new 'peat' or fertiliser, so can I add say. lemon juice to rainwater?

[woofgang]

https://marshallsgarden.com/products/sulphate-of-iron-ericaceous-plant-food-10904030?variant=31308698943539&currency=GBP&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqY3zBRDQARIsAJeCVxNSTKp8qLznSbKEx0oKthxQdaU-Q0hGQeR7p6EByrK08oyIaFPTsbcaAnmJEALw_wcB&;gclsrc=aw.ds

[pastafreak]

I've never used a meter to test PH, so I wouldn't know how reliable they are. I just go by how healthy my plant is...or isn't;)
But if you want to raise the PH cheaply, apparently baking soda works.

https://www.google.com/search?client=tablet-android-samsung&;source=android-browser&q=how+to+raise+ph+in+soil+with+baking+soda&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjjkpDZg4noAhWKh1wKHeWACGEQ1QIoAXoECA4QAg&biw=768&bih=1024

[KARL]

If the pH shows as 0 then there is something extraordinary going on. Either the gauge is faulty or you are not measuring in anything resembling ordinary gardening soil.

[woofgang]

Pasta, bicarb will make the soil more alkaline, anthuriums want acid soil

[Coppit]

Thanks for suggestions. I'll try vinegar.

[gingejbee]

The pH of your soil can't be anywhere near 0....neutral is 7, your 5 to 5.5 is somewhat acidic and 0 is as acid as you can get....say, concentrated nitric acid and then some!
Your meter can't possibly be correct.

[Old_Geezer]

Chuck your coffee grounds around it.

[shoota]

Most garden centres do 1 kilo bags of specialist compost, orchid mix should be good for you.

[Buenchico]

>>> Your meter can't possibly be correct

Agreed! If your soil has got a pH of around zero then, for God's sake, don't touch it! It's so acidic that your finger will dissolve instantly!

[Old_Geezer]

Quite so. Confess I didn't notice the zero detail, just an understanding that the soil wasn't as acid as required. Must make a resolution to read and inwardly digest the questions more thoroughly in future.

[Chipchopper]

Personally, I wouldn't try to alter the P.H. Level of the soil with citric acid etc.
A neutral reading of around 7 would be ideal for the majority of plants, lower than 7 is more acidic, while higher readings are more alkaline.
To get the balance right for your plant, I think you would do better to buy a ericaeous compost, online for around a fiver a bag.

[Coppit]

The short answer is that the meter is u/s.