What can be done if the plants are already suffering from water-induced high pH?
Where high levels of bicarbonates in the water have caused soil or potting media pH to be too high for proper plant performance, it may be necessary to lower the soil pH. This may be accomplished by addition of extra acid in the irrigation water, use of acid-forming fertilizer in certain cases, or application of elemental sulfur to the soil. It is important to note that the acid-producing effect of sulfur comes from the formation of sulfuric acid when soil bacteria act on the elemental sulfur (ex., flowers of sulfur, dusting sulfur, or wettable sulfur). The sulfate form of sulfur applied in fertilizers such as potassium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, or gypsum (calcium sulfate) does not have the acid-producing effect of elemental sulfur. Sulfur application rates of 300 to 500 pounds per acre should not be exceeded. This rate is equivalent to between 0.7 and 1.1 lbs/100 square feet of treated surface area. Over-application of sulfur or acid can cause damage to plants, an effect you certain
