The Measure of Organic Hydroponics Success is Nutrient Solution pH
pH is the measure of the relationship between concentrations of hydrogen and hydroxyl ions in you hydroponic growing media. Hydrogen ions are positively charged and hydroxyl ions are negative. This relationship is measured on a scale of 0 - 14 with acid below the medium or neutral mark of 7.00 and alkaline between 7.00 - 14 or above neutral. Optimum conditions for growth To provide the optimum conditions in which to grow your hydroponic plants, you cannot ignore the importance of pH. It is a measure of the degree of acidity or alkalinity in your growing media whether the media is soil, water or other material which contains your nutrient solution. It can affect the ability of plant roots to absorb nutrients, and plants growing in optimum conditions will be healthier with less disease, and will produce a better fruit or vegetable. pH is critical to your success and it is well to remember that different plants have different pH preferences. This will dictate to some degree how you organize your hydroponic set-up. Plants have different requirements Fortunately most of the plants you will grow hydroponically will do best in slightly acid conditions or somewhere in the 6.0 to 6.5 pH range. Very low or very high pH levels will do serious damage to plant roots and will certainly cause your system to fail because the plant nutrients are not available to the plants, or, because some micronutrients are more available at toxic levels. There are exceptions, however, and you will have to have some knowledge of the needs of individual plant groups.
Some of the more popular plants to grow hydroponically, like tomatoes like pH about 5.5 to 6.5. Strawberries, about the same, but lettuce 6.0 - 6.5 and cabbage more alkaline at 6.5 -7.5. and some fruits like blueberries prefer pH in the 4.0 range. Stabilize the nutrient solution. You should establish bench marks when you set up you system as some growing media affect the stability of your system, producing wide variations in pH levels.You will have to test frequently at first to stabilize the nutrient solution and bring everything into balance. Then your concern will be to maintain these conditions, by testing regularly. It is advisable to test every second or third day. Testing the pH level. Fortunately, you have a few common methods to test and make adjustments. Testing simply means using a home test kit. These kits are available from suppliers on the internet and even from your local garden supply centers. The kits come in a variety of forms, but when you buy a kit make sure it comes with good instructions. Litmus Test We have all heard of the Litmus Test . Litmus paper is simply an easy way to get an accurate measurement of pH. by dipping it into your nutrient solution. The change of color of the paper is measured against a pH chart which determines the pH level. I know it’s been around a long time but it works. pH Testing Kit With a pH testing Kit you take a few drops of your nutrient solution or indeed from the water supply and drip it onto a pH indicator. The indicator will change color and this change is compared to a pH chart. The pH Pen If you want something a bit fancy, the pH Pen will will provide you with a digital reading of the pH level. You must first dip the pen into your nutrient solution - simple! Up to a point, simple, but, this high tech equipment is slightly temperature sensitive, and, although it works well most of the time it might be prudent to keep some litmus paper around, just in case! You can make adjustments To make the necessary adjustments there are many liquid or powder organic kits that you can get from local suppliers and through the internet. Of course we are limited here to organic, and so it is important to check the labels. Dry powder kits are less expensive, easier to store and more efficient. The liquid kits are easier to use. You will soon find out which you prefer, but, whichever you choose, follow the instructions to get the best results. Start small and build. Growing hydroponic fruits, vegetables, and flowers, at home might not seem easy to do at first, and, like everything else it is best to start small and grow into it. Plants grow naturally in containers filled with nutrient solutions and a growing medium, and they get their nourishment directly from the container. For optimum growth and development they also must be growing with pH levels in balance with their requirements and it is your job; the gardeners job, to ensure these conditions. Back to Hydroponics
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