⚖️ Understanding pH: The Foundation of Nutrient Absorption
pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a solution is, ranging from 0 (highly acidic) to 14 (highly alkaline), with 7 being neutral. For cannabis plants, maintaining the correct pH balance in your nutrient solution and root zone is absolutely critical for healthy growth.
How pH Affects Your Plants:
Plants absorb nutrients through their roots, but the availability of these nutrients is heavily dependent on the pH level of the surrounding solution. Each essential nutrient has an optimal pH range where it is most soluble and easily absorbed by the plant. Outside this range, even if a nutrient is present in the solution, the plant may not be able to access it – a phenomenon known as nutrient lockout.
What Affects pH:
- Source Water: Tap water often has a high pH and varying mineral content. Reverse osmosis (RO) water is preferred as it's neutral and free of contaminants.
- Nutrient Products: Different nutrient formulations can significantly alter the pH of your water once mixed. Always check pH after adding all nutrients.
- Growing Medium: While coco coir is inert and has minimal pH buffering capacity, other mediums like soil have natural buffering properties.
- Plant Uptake: As plants absorb nutrients, they release ions that can subtly shift the pH of the root zone over time.
Why It's Important to Track:
Consistent monitoring and adjustment of pH prevent deficiencies and excesses, ensuring your plants receive all the necessary elements for vigorous growth.