PH and EC control in marijuana cultivation

The control of PH and EC are practices that are often forgotten by growers around the world, but the benefits of knowing the PH and EC values ​​are essential to obtain healthy and strong plants, regardless of the growing medium they use.
By measuring these levels, they will give cannabis plants what they need, when they need it.

What is the PH in the cultivation of Marijuana?

The acronym PH means “hydrogen potential” and it is a numerical value that gives you the possibility of knowing the levels of acidity and alkalinity of a solution. The PH is measured from 0 to 14, with 7 being the neutral PH. From 0 to 6, it is an acid PH and from 7 to 14 an alkaline PH.
PH values ​​are a fundamental factor in the assimilation process of nutrients present, their balance influences the growth of plants. In fact, if the PH is not indicated, your cannabis crop will not absorb the nutrients that you add.

What is EC from Marijuana?

Ec or electroconductivity is the ability of a liquid to transport electricity. This allows you to measure the amount of minerals in the irrigation water or substrate to know if their quality or hardness are suitable for your cannabis cultivation.

Effects of EC in Marijuana

The cannabis grower must take into account the EC and its balance so as not to have problems with the plants when watering, since a different EC is needed in each cycle.
In itself, tap water – regardless of the country in which it is found – contains significant amounts of minerals and the EC is high. If fertilizers are also added to tap water, EC levels will be too high and could be harmful to your crop.
A recommendation for tap water: let it rest for 24 hours in an open container.

EC high

If the EC level is high, the cannabis plants will have difficulty absorbing the nutrients that are in the soil or that they add in irrigations. If the EC is high, growth may be severely stunted, the tips of the leaves scorched, or wilted or dried to a crisp.

Low EC

If the EC is low, the plants are forced to drink too much water through their roots and produce less sugar. This underfertilization gives weak, light or pale green foliage.

EC and PH table

The table of EC and PH values ​​necessary for each phase and moment of cannabis is an ideal guide to avoid problems with the absorption of nutrients.

Ideal EC and pH values

The optimal EC and PH values ​​for growing cannabis depend on three factors: the growing medium, the fertilizers and the water. Furthermore, the values ​​for each phase of the plants are different. Another detail to keep in mind: cannabis strains do not all respond in the same way.

Germination phase

Low EC levels are recommended for cannabis seed germination. The idea is: 0.4 to 0.5. While the PH should be 6.5.

Growth Phase

In the first week, the recommended EC values ​​are from 0.5 to 0.8 and in the following weeks of the growth phase, it should be progressively increased until reaching 1.1. or 1.2. As for the PH, of 6.5.

Flowering phase

In flowering, the EC level must be raised from 1.1 or 1.2 to 1.5; in the stage of fattening of the buds, 1.8 to 2.1; and in the last weeks prior to the harvest, to reduce until reaching 0.0. While the PH levels in the flowering stage should be 6.5 to 7.

Cuttings phase

For cuttings, the recommended EC is 0.4. While the proper PH is 5.5.

How to measure EC?

In the cannabis market there are various EC meters, but we recommend digital ones as they allow for more precise control. Even many models measure EC and PH. These require a larger investment, but are worth it.

How to control EC?

It is necessary to take into account the EC levels that the plants need in each phase to keep a good control.

In case the EC is high, it is lowered with distilled water or osmosis water. While to raise the EC, you need to add fertilizers.

Conclusions

The control of PH and EC is very important to obtain the plants and crops that you always dreamed of. Perhaps, at first, so many values ​​and details make it seem like a difficult task. But it really is not. Once you absorb these tips on PH and EC, you will not have problems of deficiencies or excesses of nutrients in your marijuana crops.

Related questions

What pH to use in flowering?

In the flowering stage of plants, the recommended PH level is 6.5 to 7.

How to raise or lower the pH of the earth?

To lower the PH, a few drops of lemon or vinegar in the irrigation water is enough. In case the PH is very low, it can be raised with baking soda.