💧 Water Quality & pH Dynamics
Water is the vehicle for nutrient delivery. Its quality and pH directly impact nutrient availability and plant health.
Understanding pH:
- pH Range: For coco, the optimal pH range is 5.8 to 6.2. This range maximizes the solubility and uptake of essential nutrients.
- Nutrient Lockout: If pH is too high or too low, certain nutrients become unavailable to the plant, even if present in the solution.
- Measurement: Use a calibrated digital pH meter for accuracy. Calibrate regularly with pH 4.0 and pH 7.0 solutions.
EC/PPM & Source Water:
- EC (Electrical Conductivity) / PPM (Parts Per Million): Measures the total dissolved solids (TDS) in your water, indicating nutrient concentration.
- Source Water: Test your tap water's EC. If it's above 100-200 PPM, consider using reverse osmosis (RO) water to avoid introducing unwanted minerals.
🎯 Critical Rule: Always adjust pH after adding all nutrients to your solution, as nutrients can alter the pH significantly.