Help Ensure Your Plants Absorb the Required Nutrients – Monitor pH Levels

Why worry about pH levels?
In order to ensure the success of your hydroponics project, it is essential to maintain the pH and nutrient concentrations. Unlike soil based gardening where nutrients are supplied in varying concentrations depending upon the locale (soil type, fertilizer, etc), in hydroponics gardening the nutrients are supplied in a much more controlled way by the gardener.

When the pH level of the nutrient solution is correct, your plants will be able to absorb the optimal proportion of nutrients. You will aviod overfertilization, giving your plants the opportunity to flourish and produce maximum yield. Generally, the pH level should be between 5.8 and 6.3.

Calibrating our Digital pH Meter

Tip: For ease and accuracy, use a digital pH meter.

Macronutrients and Micronutrients
The concentrations of macronutrients and micronutrients can be controlled by careful dilution of the nutrient mix. This mix is typically measured using an EC(Electrical Conductivity) meter.

Choose a nutrient mix that contains all the essential minerals. The essential minerals are listed below;

1. Nitrogen
2. Phosphorus
3. Calcium
4. Sulfur
5. Potassium
6. Magnesium
7. Manganese
8. Iron
9. Copper
10. Boron
11. Zinc
12. Chlorine
13. Molybdenum

Tip: Nutrient mixtures typically come formulated for either the growth phase or the bloom phase; make sure you use the right one.

My son receving a less in pH levels from his dad …