Ph testing nutrients

hi all

a question on PH testing nutrients .

I have a PH testing kit ,which really is a bit shitty ,I don't think its all that good ,but I suppose its better than no tester , as you know you get a colour chart with the kit & PH UP-PH DOWN .when I got some spare cash I will get a bluelab pen .

the colour chart as different colour with ph numbers ,going through the chart from high/low .

every time I do my mix of nutrients I always check the colour ,it always turns out golden/yellowish which indicates high ?

so I add a few drops of PH DOWN its always ph down I have to add never ph up ?
,this brings the colour to around 6.0.6.5 under 7.0 anyway .which on the chart is a red/pinkish colour .

so really every time I mix nutes I just test first turns out yellow/golden ,I just add a few drops ph down ,then it turns pinkish ,I know its close too the right ph .

what do you think .what's the worst it can do if ph is to low ?

any help appreciated

If ph is too high or too low you can lockout certain nutrients from being taken up by the plant.


As you are in coco the ideal pH is 5.8 for best uptake of nutrient ions.


Also as you are using coco canna nutes you need to allow your mixed solution at least one hour before testing pH to allow the buffers to stabalise your nute mix.

Usually in coco by not using the correct pH most often will lock out Mg.



J

well I know its not high ,if anything, if I cannot get it bang on ,its going to be lowish if anything going of the colour chart ? so would low ph cause MG lockout .

if I start getting lockout from low PH what's the first signs on the plant to watch for j ?

thanks
j

jayboss1 said:

well I know its not high ,if anything, if I cannot get it bang on ,its going to be lowish if anything going of the colour chart ? so would low ph cause MG lockout .

if I start getting lockout from low PH what's the first signs on the plant to watch for j ?

thanks
j

Click to expand...

Low pH can lock out alot of major nutrients.


That's why its best remain within the sweet spot for pH in coco.


Does your test have multiple colours for different pH values?

Example
Yellow - 6.5
Orange - 6.0
Pink - 5.5

If so aim for 6 and you won't be far wrong.


Ph below 5.5 locks out N, P and Mg.

PH above 5.9 hinders uptake of Ca and Mn.


The spot where they all are available is 5.8.





Look at the left hand chart. Hydro.


5.8 has best access to all nutrient ions for uptake.




J

First signs of low pH would be

Phosphorous deficiency and magnesium deficiency symptoms.


Followed by Nitrogen deficiency.

However though a deficiency of one nutrient can manifest in other ways.


Such as certain deficiencies have the same signs throughout the plant. N P and Mg can have similar symptoms and its only once it progresses through the plant that you can ascertain exactly which is at fault.





J

yes has multiple colours for different pH values? ,

this is the one I have been using .I think now the pink colour is wrong ,shit ,the golden /yellowish colour is around right then .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hydroponi...wth-Technology-Nutrient-Control-/251153814666

You should aim for orange on that chart.


Pink is WAY too low.

I used to use that same one when I first started.

I always aimed for orange!!!! Ph6.



J

shit ,I been aiming for pink ,I will correct this ,make sure its orange in future .im a tit ,do you think I fucked them up ? can I put things right you think ?

You can put things right very easily.


Just make sure you put around 4-5litres of nutes at ph6 through each pot for the next 2-3 feeds.


Job done.




J

ok thanks j. im giving them 3 litres per plant now .so another 1 ltr shoud do it make it 4 ltrs per plant ye ............,next 2-3 feeds ,I will make sure the colour chart is orange ph6 ..

im defo need the blue lab pen .

thanks allot mate .

jayboss1 said:

ok thanks j. im giving them 3 litres per plant now .so another 1 ltr shoud do it make it 4 ltrs per plant ye ............,next 2-3 feeds ,I will make sure the colour chart is orange ph6 ..

im defo need the blue lab pen .

thanks allot mate .

Click to expand...

Just make sure you're getting a good 30-40% runoff.



J