{"id":1727,"date":"2018-08-14T18:36:26","date_gmt":"2018-08-14T18:36:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.medicalmarijuanainc.com\/?p=34226"},"modified":"2018-08-14T18:36:26","modified_gmt":"2018-08-14T18:36:26","slug":"cannabis-ph-and-how-it-affects-the-health-of-your-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medicalmarijuanainc.com\/2018\/08\/14\/cannabis-ph-and-how-it-affects-the-health-of-your-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"Cannabis pH and How It Affects the Health of Your Plants"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maintaining the proper pH of your cannabis plant\u2019s growing medium and water can determine your plant\u2019s ability to absorb nutrients and grow big, beautiful buds.<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n

As with all plants, proper growing conditions help the cannabis plant to thrive. Keeping your marijuana plants growing in the ideal pH will boost plant size, flower production, and even the levels of valuable cannabinoids generated by the plant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, we will be taking a look at soil and water pH and how proper cannabis pH affects the overall health and cannabinoid production of your plants.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is pH?<\/span><\/h2>\n

When we are discussing pH, we are talking about a measure of acidity or alkalinity of water soluble substances (pH stands for \u2018potential of Hydrogen\u2019). The pH scale runs from 0 to 14, with lower numbers being acidic, higher numbers being alkaline, and 7 being the neutral middle point.<\/span><\/p>\n

Each plant found in nature has its own pH identity, with some plants being more acidic and others being more alkaline. The water of different regions also has a pH identity that is determined by a variety of environmental factors. Finally, the soil of various regions will have a unique pH identity. Due to these fluctuations in pH based on plant, water, and soil types, it is important to test any plants you are growing to see if they are in the correct pH range. PH can be measured by testing kits or specially designed pocket sized digital testing pens.<\/span><\/p>\n

Supplements added to your plant\u2019s water, including ones that will raise and lower pH, help you dial in an ideal pH level. These products are available at most garden centers and from online grow shops. These pH affecting products are universal for gardening and can be used on almost all plants in your garden, not just your cannabis.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"correct<\/span><\/h2>\n

What is the Cannabis pH Value?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Keeping a correct pH in your cannabis plants\u2019 grow environment helps prevent nutrient deficiency that can stunt growth and result in a lower yield of marijuana buds. The cannabis plant prefers a slightly acidic pH environment of about 6-6.5.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When the pH environment rises in alkalinity above 7.5, the roots of the cannabis plant are not able to consume the available iron, copper, zinc, and manganese in their vicinity. When the pH lowers into an acidity of less than 5, the roots are not able to access phosphoric acid, calcium, and magnesium because they lose their solubility.<\/span><\/p>\n

Correct pH allows the cannabis plant to properly access nutrients in its soil in order to grow its best. When setting up your garden to grow cannabis, it is always best to conduct a simple test to determine the pH identity of the soil and water.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Improper pH can keep the plant from growing as healthy as it could be and can affect the ultimate levels of cannabinoids and terpenes in its flowers. Proper pH can also affect how large and how quickly the plant can grow.<\/span><\/p>\n

If soil is alkaline, adding compost to the soil before the growing season will add nutrients and make the soil more acidic. The pH of soil can also be affected while the plant is growing using pH up and pH down products that are applied when watering your cannabis plants.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can test the pH of both your water and soil using commercial pH tests to ensure your cannabis plants are in the best possible growing conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Add nutrients to the water that you will feed your plants.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Test the water you will give your marijuana plants and adjust pH accordingly, aiming for a pH of 6.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Water your marijuana plants.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. To also test the pH of soil, test early water runoff from soil after you water your maijuana plants.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If runoff pH is\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n