Should pH be Perfect? - The Garden Sage 5

Should pH be perfect? Plants secrete acids and bases in their root zone to adjust the pH depending on what nutrients they want to eat. If a plant wants more phosphorous and potassium, it may actually secrete an acid, dropping the pH of the rest, so that it can uptake more P and K. It is also possible if the plant wants more calcium, for instance, that it may raise the pH in order to make that calcium more available. If we decide that 6 is the perfect number and every single time the point moves to 6.2 or 5.8 and we run in there and adjust it, we can be working against our plants.

Genetics is the number 1 factor that goes into maximum yield. If our plant likes to have a little bit more acidic pH, we need to be aware of that. But does the pH need to stay at one point all the time from start to finish? No. If we allow our plant to choose what it needs, we’re allowing the plant to optimize its root zone environment.

The Garden Sage David Robinson has been in the hydroponics industry for over 20 years. Learn from his expert advice on how to really grow your plants using techniques perfected by the hydroponics industry.

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