Understanding PH and EC Levels
PH and EC Levels are an important part of hydroponic gardening, in order to achieve healthy plant growth. You don’t have to be a scientist or a chemist to learn how to manage your PH and EC Levels, but you do need to understand what they are, and how to control them.
PH
PH refers to “Potential Hydrogen-Hydroxyl Ion Content of a Solution”. PH is measured on a scale from 1-14, and a PH Level of 7 is considered “neutral’.
Solutions ionize into positive and negative ions.
If a solution has more “hydrogen (positive) ions” than “hydroxyl (negative) ions then it is considered ACIDIC, meaning 1.6-6.9 PH Level.
If a solution has more “hydroxyl (negative) ions” than “hydrogen (positive) ions”, then it is considered ALKALINE, meaning 7.1-14 PH Level.
If the PH Level is too high or low, it interferes with the ability of the plant to absorb nutrients, and grow properly.
All plants have different PH Levels for proper growth, but generally most hydroponic plants do best with a PH Level between 5.5-6.5. However, most plants will still do fine with a PH Level between 5.5-7.5
You can test the PH using Test Strips, Liquid Test Kits, or a PH Meter.
If you purchased a Complete Kit from us, a Test Meter is included.
If you wish to purchase a PH Test Meter, visit our store.
You control PH using PH Up and PH Down Solution. If you purchased a Complete Kit from us, this is included in that kit.
If you wish to purchase a PH Up or Down Kit, visit our store.
EC
EC Stands for Electric Conductivity
EC (Electrical Conductivity) is a measurement of dissolved salts in a solution. In Hydroponics, this will be a measure of the strength of your hydroponic solution (Water, PH, Nutrients).
Remember that EC gives you an idea of the quantity of available nutrients in your solution.
If the solution is too strong, the plants will be unable to absorb nutrients and water. If the solution is too weak, the plants will be unable to grow because of a lack of nutrients.
You can test the EC level of your solution using an EC Meter. If you purchased a Complete Kit from us, a meter is included in the kit.
If you’d like to purchase an EC Meter, visit our Store.
If the EC Level is too low, you would add nutrients to your solution. If the EC Level is too high, you would add water to you solution. The nutrients included in your kit are specially formulated for PowerGrow Systems to provide a fully balanced all purpose fertilizer that is free of artificial colors and dyes, is fully water soluble, does not require any other additives, and can be used with both Hydroponics and Soil gardening!
PH and EC Chart
Although all plants are different, the chart below will help you achieve the correct PH and EC Levels for your plants.
Plant
Artichoke
Asparagus
Basil
Bean
Beetroot
Bok Choi
Broad Bean
Broccoli
Brussell Sprout
Cabbage
Capiscum
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Cucumber
Eggplant
Endive
Fodder
Garlic
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Marrow
Okra
Onions
Pak Choi
Parsnip
Pea
Pea (Sugar)
Pepino
Peppers
Peppers (Bell)
Peppers (Hot)
Potato
Pumpkin
Radish
Spinach
Silverbeet
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potato
Taro
Tomato
Turnip
Zuchinni
PH Level
6.5 – 7.5
6.0 – 6.8
5.5 – 6.5
6.0
6.0 – 6.5
6.0 – 7.0
6.0 – 6.5
6.0 – 6.5
6.5- 7.5
6.5 – 7.0
6.0 – 6.5
6.3
6.0 – 7.0
6.5
5.8 – 6.0
5.5 – 6.5
5.5
6.0
6.0
5.5 – 6.5
6.0
6.5
6.0 – 6.7
7.0
6.0
6.0 – 7.0
6.0 – 7.0
6.0 – 6.5
5.8 – 6.3
6.0 – 6.5
5.0 – 6.5
5.0 – 6.0
5.5 – 7.5
6.0 – 7.0
6.0 – 7.0
6.0 – 7.0
6.0
5.5 – 6.0
5.0 – 5.5
5.5 – 6.0
6.0 – 6.5
6.0
6.5 – 7.0
5.5 – 6.5
EC Level
0.8 – 1.8
1.4 – 1.8
1.0 – 1.6
2.0 – 4.0
0.8 – 5.0
1.5 -2.5
1.8 – 2.2
2.8 – 3.5
2.5 – 3.0
2.5 – 3.0
1.8 – 2.2
1.6 – 2.0
0.5 – 2.0
1.8 – 2.4
1.7 – 2.5
2.5 – 3.5
2.0 – 2.4
1.8 – 2.0
1.4 – 1.8
1.25 – 1.5
1.4 – 1.8
0.8 – 1.2
1.8 – 2.4
2.0 – 2.4
1.4 – 1.8
1.5 – 2.0
1.4 – 1.8
0.8 – 1.8
0.8 – 1.8
2.0 – 5.0
2.0 – 3.0
2.0 – 3.0
3.0 – 3.5
2.0 – 2.5
1.8 – 2.4
1.6 – 2.2
1.8 – 2.3
1.8 – 2.3
1.6 – 2.4
2.0 – 2.5
2.5 – 3.0
2.0 – 5.0
1.8 – 2.4
1.8 – 2.4
