[jkan0228]

Hey guys

I'm starting an IA in one of my IB classes and it concerns the use of soil in primary productivity of plants.

I'm using mixture of miracle grow and clay and was wondering what the pH of clay?

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Hey guys

I'm starting an IA in one of my IB classes and it concerns the use of soil in primary productivity of plants.

I'm using mixture of miracle grow and clay and was wondering what the pH of clay?

Hi jkan0228,

I don't believe there is a definitive answer to your question; I believe the PH of the clay would depend upon the minerals that make it up. Some clay will have a lot of carbonates in it if that is the geology of the area where it was dug up and it will have a higher PH. Here in the Northwest our clay seems to be low in carbonates.

 

[Diana]

Ditto. And here in our area the clay soils are much higher in carbonates, so the pH is so high that Azaleas, Rhododendrons and many other plants have a very hard time growing.

Answer: Get a sample and test it.

 

[jkan0228]

With testing soil, can I simply run water through it and test the drainage?

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

With testing soil, can I simply run water through it and test the drainage?

Hi Hi jkan0228,

When doing soil testing typically we put a pea sized sample in a test tube with distilled water and shake vigorously. Then we allow the sample to settle for 24 to 48 hours so the suspended particulates drop to the bottom. Then we carefully drain off the clear solution and test the PH.