The truth about PH

[Quaker]

Ok. Its been made clear to me time and time again to keep my ph at or around 5.4 in hydro systems. This is optimal for nutrient uptake, as i can see based off of the uptake chart for hydro. But what is the truth?

It seems to me based off of the uptake chart, that as long as your between 4 and 7, ur good to go in general. I read at OG in the FAQ that it is often misunderstood that ph doesnt need to be so precise.

I know that its all about creating the "best" conditions for your plant, but is it really true that it really helps alot to keep ph so close to 5.4 or whatever it is?

[earth girl]

It is really true that pH really matters, and is a major factor in nute uptake. In hydro, the soution hase to be so low, because your plants will have only a brief relationship withit, so nute uptake must be optimal. When an absorbant medium is used, causing the contact to be more lasting, the pH must be lower, or roots will burn. I am sure you can get by as long as you are keeping the pH below 6, but if optimal growth is your goal, keep trying for precisiion. You will waste a lot of water/nutes otherwise.
The thing is, if you are not having fun, then you might want to concider another method next season. I've spent 6 years refining my set up to accomedate me. That's why my hydro phase was relatively shortlived. It is much fussier, and intolerant of neglect. Unless you know you can stay right on it, it is a poor choice. How long have you been at it?
Good luck! Earth girl, champion of vermicants everywhere!

[hellostupid]

:alien:Cannabis can flourish inbetween 4.5PH and 6.5PH!!
Yes...you can allow your Rezzy Ph to fluctuate that much without seeing any Deficiencies.

But if you want them to grow as fast az they possibly can; then i'd hafta agree that 5.2PH is the magic #;jus' like Overgrow recommended!

As fer my NFT hydro rezzy...i usually re-lower my PH once it has passed 6.0ph! That happens only 'bout once a week with Botanicare PH Down(35% HCI).

[ToaD]

In a perfect world you should have the perfect PH but this is not a perfect world and as long as your happy with what your getting and your plants are happy don't waste your time worrying about it that much. Read up on Overgrow what Nimby has to say about PH and at the same time look at his plants. My bottom line is if it's not broke don't try and fix it. http://www.growkind.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Useless]

Ph is very important for the uptake of nutrients, especially in hydro. Ph between 5.2-6.0. Most of the time Ph will rise over time, so I set my Ph at 5.2, when it rises to 6.0, I drop it back down again.
Plants will grow with a higher Ph, but it will not produce growth and buds to its full potential.

[WhiteSticked420]

yes PH is a large part of hydro for nute uptake, almost all the nute uptake happens between 5-6, best to start your PH at a low 5 and let it float up to 6 and either take it back down or replace the res.

[Joint Effort]

pH is pretty much, well- everything. Mine sits at 5.4 but different brands will vary in an optimal range. Most are safe between 5.3- 5.8. What you are doing in hydro is increasing the available hydrogen (stronger acid gives up more hydrogen) to the plant. For optimal growth you want to keep the pH as low as you can without harming the plant. In hydro you are in essence force feeding the plant in intervals, "starve" the plant again and then once again force feeding. More hydrogen (lower pH) means more vehicles for carrying nutrients into the plant. But as with anything you can reach a point that excess becomes toxic. For me and my ebb & flow with Fox Farm nutes that point is about 5.0. 5.2 was good for growth but the color stays a better color at 5.4.

Soil is like a sponge with nutes being constantly available, therefore they can't take the accelerated feeding. They need a more nuetral pH for growth (closer to 7).