pH value and EC value: The most important measurements

pH and EC values are critical for the nutrient uptake of cannabis:

**pH value (acidity)**

Determines the availability of nutrients for the plant.

*Optimal pH ranges:*

- Soil: 6.0-7.0 (ideal: 6.2-6.8)

- Hydro/Coco: 5.5-6.5 (ideal: 5.8-6.2)

- Different nutrients have different pH optima

*recognising pH problems:*

- Too low (<5.5): Toxicity, root damage

- Too high (>7.5): Nutrient blockages, deficiency symptoms

**EC value (electrical conductivity)**

Measures the total amount of dissolved salts/nutrients.

*EC guideline values by phase:*

- Seedling: 0.4-0.8 mS/cm

- Vegetative: 0.8-1.4 mS/cm

- Flowering: 1.4-2.0 mS/cm

- Flushing: 0.0-0.4 mS/cm

**Measuring equipment:**

- Digital pH meters (calibratable)

- EC/TDS meters

- Calibration solutions pH 4.0, 7.0, 10.0

- Distilled water for cleaning

**Correct pH:**

- lower pH: pH down (phosphoric acid, citric acid)

- increase pH: pH up (potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate)

- Adjust slowly - never more than 0.5 at a time

*adjust *EC:**

- Too high: Dilute with distilled water

- Too low: Add more nutrients

**Measuring routine:**

1. Mix nutrient solution

2. measure and adjust pH

3. Check final EC

4. Check with every watering

5. Calibrate measuring devices regularly