Growing questions
The questions growers ask most, with an honest answer and the gear that goes with it. Can’t find yours? Ask below.
- Water, pH & EC What is the ideal water temperature for my plants? Roughly 18 to 22 °C. Colder water slows the roots, warmer water above about 24 °C makes root rot much more likely. Read the answer →
- Water, pH & EC Can I use tap water, or do I need reverse osmosis water? Tap water is fine if it's moderately hard (EC below roughly 0.8). RO water is a blank slate for exact control, but you must add Cal-Mag. Read the answer →
- Water, pH & EC How do I raise or lower the pH of my water? Use pH-down to lower it and pH-up to raise it. Add drop by drop, stir, wait a minute and re-measure. Read the answer →
- Water, pH & EC Why does my pH keep dropping in my DWC reservoir? A steadily dropping pH usually means the plants are taking up ammonium and cations, or the root zone is too warm or infected. Check water temperatu... Read the answer →
- Water, pH & EC How often should I calibrate my pH meter? Calibrate before any measurement that matters, roughly every couple of weeks with regular use, and always when readings look odd. Read the answer →
- Water, pH & EC Which pH and EC meter should I buy? Buy a meter with a replaceable probe, temperature compensation and calibration solutions you can get easily. A pen meter is fine for a small grow. Read the answer →
- Water, pH & EC What EC should I use at each stage? Typical EC runs about 0.4–0.8 for seedlings, 1.0–1.6 in growth and 1.4–2.0 in flower (mS/cm). Variety, medium and brand move it up or down. Read the answer →
- Water, pH & EC What pH should my nutrient solution be? Roughly 5.8–6.3 for coco and hydro, and 6.0–6.8 for soil. Read the answer →
- Water, pH & EC How often should I change the water in my reservoir? In recirculating hydro, every 1 to 2 weeks. In soil or coco you mix fresh feed for each watering, so there is nothing to change. Read the answer →
- Water, pH & EC Does hard tap water cause problems for my plants? Yes, it can. Hard water brings calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate along, which pushes pH up and adds EC before you have added any feed. Read the answer →
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