Recently, a couple of my friends pinged me about their grows that have not been doing so well. Their leaves were yellowing and some plants were even dying. To try and help diagnose what was going on, I even shared my diagnostic checklist. They insisted they followed the recommended protocol and were stumped by what was happening.
I had to stop and think for a minute about what could possibly have gone wrong. Then, I asked for the growing medium’s pH levels through the growth cycle. Not only were they not measuring the pH, they weren’t sure why this was important to observe and understand.
So, I thought it might be helpful to share a few thoughts about what I have learned about pH and the role it plays in plant growth and development. Here are a few basics that hopefully provide background information that is either educational for newbies or serves as a reminder to those who are more experienced growers.
What is pH?
pH is a logarithmic scale which measures of the acidity or basicity of a solution. Specifically, pH is the measure of the weight of hydrogen ions (H+) within a solution.
What is the pH scale?
pH is measured on a scale ranging 0 – 14, with 0 being the most acidic (example: battery acid) and 14 being the most basic (example: Lye). On the pH scale 7 is considered neutral. A neutral solution contains equal amounts of hydrogen and hydroxide ions.
What is Alkalinity?
Water alkalinity is a measure of the capacity of water to neutralize acid… in other words, the amount of acid it takes to lower pH below a certain level.
Water alkalinity measures the carbonate and bicarbonate (think limestone) levels within the water. This is why it important to know a few things about your local water supply. For example, knowing how much limestone is in your regional water will help you prepare for your grow or know what is causing your pH imbalance. If your water contains a high level of limestone, your growing medium may be too basic (pH greater than 7); which means you’ll need to add acid to reduce the pH levels.
Water alkalinity vs. Water pH
Water alkalinity and pH do not measure the same thing. Water alkalinity is specific to the carbonate and bicarbonate levels. Water alkalinity directly affects the pH of your growing medium.
Water pH measures the amount of hydrogen ions in your water. The pH levels of your water do not directly affect the pH levels of your growing medium. Water pH will affect the solubility of fertilizers, fungicides, and insecticides. The higher your water’s pH the less soluble these substances become.
Ideal pH levels for Soil
Cannabis plant’s ideal pH range for soil based medium is 6.2 - 6.7.
Ideal pH levels for Soilless (including peat moss mediums)
Cannabis plant’s ideal pH range in soilless medium is 5.6 - 6.2.
Why is pH a big deal?
The pH of your growing medium affects the availability of many critical nutrients your plant needs to grow. As your growing medium becomes more acidic (pH less than 7) an overabundance of nutrients may be found, resulting in nutrient lockout if the pH imbalance is not corrected.
As your growing medium becomes too basic (pH greater than 7) your plant may experience nutrient deficiencies such as iron or manganese deficiencies. If pH imbalances are not corrected they may ultimately affect the quality and quantity of your plant’s yield.
Signs of pH imbalance
Signs of pH imbalance vary depending on the growth stage of your cannabis plant. During the early stages of growth, if the pH levels are imbalanced your cannabis plant may start to develop small dark-green leaves that grow very, very slowly. During the later growth stages you may notices existing leaves yellowing, and eventually dying and falling off.
If this is happening to your plant you may need to take a closer look at your pH levels.
My experience
Your choice of growing medium – either indoors or outdoors can make a difference in your pH levels. Personally, I have had a good experience using PRO-MIX HP. I like this growing medium for a couple of reasons, namely because it includes Dolomite and Calcitic limestone (which helps adjusts the pH). Dolomite lime breaks down to calcium and magnesium, which is just one less thing to have to add!
Since PRO-MIX HP is primarily composed of peat moss (considered soilless), it is important to remember the ideal pH levels for soilless mediums should be more acidic than soil-based mediums. I have had better luck keeping my pH levels within a 5.8 - 6.2 range.
Ultimately, there are many factors than can affect your growing medium’s pH levels–including the acidity of your fertilizer and/or the pH and alkalinity of your water supply. Fertilizers are common culprits when dealing with pH imbalances since they typically cause the growing medium to be more acidic. Another common culprit is water. If you live in an area with a lot of limestone be prepared to adjust your growing medium’s pH levels to be more acidic; remember limestone makes the growing medium more basic.
Understanding pH levels and what works best for you takes time and experience; don’t get frustrated if it seems complicated, because it is. I hope this helps provide a basic understand of what pH levels are and why it is important that you monitor them to ensure the highest yield possible.
I had to stop and think for a minute about what could possibly have gone wrong. Then, I asked for the growing medium’s pH levels through the growth cycle. Not only were they not measuring the pH, they weren’t sure why this was important to observe and understand.
So, I thought it might be helpful to share a few thoughts about what I have learned about pH and the role it plays in plant growth and development. Here are a few basics that hopefully provide background information that is either educational for newbies or serves as a reminder to those who are more experienced growers.
What is pH?
pH is a logarithmic scale which measures of the acidity or basicity of a solution. Specifically, pH is the measure of the weight of hydrogen ions (H+) within a solution.
What is the pH scale?
pH is measured on a scale ranging 0 – 14, with 0 being the most acidic (example: battery acid) and 14 being the most basic (example: Lye). On the pH scale 7 is considered neutral. A neutral solution contains equal amounts of hydrogen and hydroxide ions.
What is Alkalinity?
Water alkalinity is a measure of the capacity of water to neutralize acid… in other words, the amount of acid it takes to lower pH below a certain level.
Water alkalinity measures the carbonate and bicarbonate (think limestone) levels within the water. This is why it important to know a few things about your local water supply. For example, knowing how much limestone is in your regional water will help you prepare for your grow or know what is causing your pH imbalance. If your water contains a high level of limestone, your growing medium may be too basic (pH greater than 7); which means you’ll need to add acid to reduce the pH levels.
Water alkalinity vs. Water pH
Water alkalinity and pH do not measure the same thing. Water alkalinity is specific to the carbonate and bicarbonate levels. Water alkalinity directly affects the pH of your growing medium.
Water pH measures the amount of hydrogen ions in your water. The pH levels of your water do not directly affect the pH levels of your growing medium. Water pH will affect the solubility of fertilizers, fungicides, and insecticides. The higher your water’s pH the less soluble these substances become.
Ideal pH levels for Soil
Cannabis plant’s ideal pH range for soil based medium is 6.2 - 6.7.
Ideal pH levels for Soilless (including peat moss mediums)
Cannabis plant’s ideal pH range in soilless medium is 5.6 - 6.2.
Why is pH a big deal?
The pH of your growing medium affects the availability of many critical nutrients your plant needs to grow. As your growing medium becomes more acidic (pH less than 7) an overabundance of nutrients may be found, resulting in nutrient lockout if the pH imbalance is not corrected.
As your growing medium becomes too basic (pH greater than 7) your plant may experience nutrient deficiencies such as iron or manganese deficiencies. If pH imbalances are not corrected they may ultimately affect the quality and quantity of your plant’s yield.
Signs of pH imbalance
Signs of pH imbalance vary depending on the growth stage of your cannabis plant. During the early stages of growth, if the pH levels are imbalanced your cannabis plant may start to develop small dark-green leaves that grow very, very slowly. During the later growth stages you may notices existing leaves yellowing, and eventually dying and falling off.
If this is happening to your plant you may need to take a closer look at your pH levels.
My experience
Your choice of growing medium – either indoors or outdoors can make a difference in your pH levels. Personally, I have had a good experience using PRO-MIX HP. I like this growing medium for a couple of reasons, namely because it includes Dolomite and Calcitic limestone (which helps adjusts the pH). Dolomite lime breaks down to calcium and magnesium, which is just one less thing to have to add!
Since PRO-MIX HP is primarily composed of peat moss (considered soilless), it is important to remember the ideal pH levels for soilless mediums should be more acidic than soil-based mediums. I have had better luck keeping my pH levels within a 5.8 - 6.2 range.
Ultimately, there are many factors than can affect your growing medium’s pH levels–including the acidity of your fertilizer and/or the pH and alkalinity of your water supply. Fertilizers are common culprits when dealing with pH imbalances since they typically cause the growing medium to be more acidic. Another common culprit is water. If you live in an area with a lot of limestone be prepared to adjust your growing medium’s pH levels to be more acidic; remember limestone makes the growing medium more basic.
Understanding pH levels and what works best for you takes time and experience; don’t get frustrated if it seems complicated, because it is. I hope this helps provide a basic understand of what pH levels are and why it is important that you monitor them to ensure the highest yield possible.
