Understanding PH and plant growth

When it comes to maintaining hydroponic plants, the pH value of reservoir water is critically important -- so what you need in a grow space and how does it affect plants?

The Role of PH Value

The PH value of a plant environment affects the plants ability to absorb or digest many types of nutritional elements that plants need. When pH is to low, experts talk about nutrient absorption reaching toxic levels. When it's too high, the opposite may be true.

What's the best pH value range?

Many hydroponic plants thrive best in a range between 5.5 and 6.5 pH.

How can growers manage pH value?

There are some easy available tools to keep tabs on pH value and to change the reservoir accordingly. From simple pieces of litmus paper, to more advanced testing strips, growers can integrate all kinds of items into their toolbox to be able to tell at a glance what the pH value is in the reservoir.

For changing pH value, growers can also get tools like pH Up/pH down that will help them to alter the pH to keep it optimal and good for plants. Sometimes this is as easy as dropping a little bit of a pH solution into the water, letting it get absorbed. In other cases, when pH value gets too far out of range, growers may need to flush the reservoir and start over, especially if there are other problems with the reservoir, such as high levels of dissolved solids or organic contaminants in the water.

This kind of routine maintenance is at the core of how growers get healthy plants with every crop cycle. It's important to continually monitor plants, not only for PH value, but for other important factors like temperature and humidity. Plants also need good air circulation and good air and water handling in order to to keep moving fresh air and water through the grow box or grow area.

Along with pH and other factors, growers have to look at light and dark cycles, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and much more. When you're starting out with hydroponics, take a look at product pages from manufacturers and retailers to get the gear that you need. With this information in hand, you can start building the hydroponics structures and installations that will support the hydro project you have in mind, whether it's a home hobby set up or a small commercial grow. Let Dealzer help by providing elements of our 1500 pieces of equipment that we offer to growers worldwide. We stand behind our products to help you manage your hydroponics project and get the results you need.