As a grower, you can provide a reservoir of the “best”, or most expensive nutrients available to your plants. But just because we’re giving it, doesn’t mean they’re getting it.
When pH levels are out of range in the root zone of your plants, they will suffer from nutrient deficiencies.
This is avoidable if we monitor pH levels with a meter or simple pH strips.
What is pH?
pH is a rating of acidity or alkalinity. It’s a numerical value on a scale from zero (most acidic, to 14 (most alkaline). As gardeners, there’s no real need to go into the deep science of it but if you would like to know more about what PH is
As a beginner grower, hydroponics can be overwhelming at first. There’s so much information that makes it seem more complex than it is. The hobby also implies that a grower needs a bunch of equipment, supplies and materials. So it’s easy to think that without everything, we’re bound to fail.
But that’s not practical.
If you don’t have a pH meter, DON’T LET THAT STOP YOU FROM GROWING!
Many growers, including myself, had many successful harvests without monitoring pH levels. But as time goes on and we learn more about growing and gain more experience. Eventually, pH will gain our attention and become important for us start monitoring.
That’s when you’ll need a way to take a reading.
Why should growers monitor pH?
We all know the saying, “..you can bring a horse to water…”, except we CAN make it drink! And that’s what ideal pH levels represent.
The pH level of your plants root zone is directly related to their ability to absorb nutrients. The two are in sync with each other.
If pH levels are off, your plant’s ability to absorb nutrients is off.
When you optimize pH levels, you optimize your plant’s ability to absorb nutrients.
Another way to look at it is; there is a path that nutrients take. It begins in a reservoir and ends inside your plant and pH is a gate, within that path. The pH level will determine whether that gate is open or closed.
Growing while ignoring pH
You can grow plants that produce a harvest without ever paying any attention to pH levels. But chances are, your plants are not growing and producing at optimal levels. Plus, it’s like gardening with blinders on. How well your plants produce is left to chance and will never be consistent.
There are many problems that come with ignoring pH. The most common problem is misdiagnosing symptoms as nutrient deficiency.
Your plant will show signs of malnutrition. A common reaction is to increase the amount of nutrients in your solution. You now run the risk of nutrient burn.
By taking a pH reading of our nutrient solution, we would have seen that pH level was off. By adjusting the pH, our plant’s ability to take in those nutrients returns.
Lack of nutrients is different from blocked nutrients.
Furthermore, if we ignore pH levels we also waste money. There is no sense in buying expensive nutrients if our plants are not feeding on them. It’s counter-productive. We want every bit of those costly nutrients to get absorbed by our plants.
The ideal pH zone for your plants
For hydroponic plants, you want pH levels to be within the range of 5.5 and 6.5.
If your plants are not set in substrate, then you can measure pH nutrient reservoir. If plants are in substrate, take a reading at the root zone.
How do I measure pH?
If you’d like to start monitoring the pH levels for your plants, you’re going to need a device that takes pH readings. There’s an option for every budget.
Digital Testers (pens)
pH pens will give you the most accurate reading that will be displayed as a number. This doesnt leave anything to interpretation because we’re given an actual value. However, they require constant calibration and maintenance. This device comes at a cost, upwards of $100.
Dropper Kits
To take a reading, a sample of nutrient solution in placed in a small vile with a drop or two of a chemical solution. The vile is capped for the user to shake. The mixture will result as a color that is then compared to a legend provided by the manufacturer. The reading is not an accurate measurement. However, there is nothing to calibrate or maintain and is less expensive than a digital meter.
Test strips
This option will cost you the least amount of money. Strips come in a small booklet, much like a pack of matches. To take a reading, tear one strip from the booklet and dip it in your nutrient solution. The paper strip is covered with a solution that causes it to change color when it comes into contact with another substance that can be absorbed.
The resulting color of the strip is then compared to a legend on the booklet.
This isn;t an accurate reading, however it’s close enough for many growers, including myself. It’s readily available, easy to use and inexpensive. Plus, it’s not a delicate instrument that needs calibrating for every use.
The importance of monitoring pH levels for your plants goes hand-in-hand with how much interest a grower has in their plant production.