The pH level of a liquid solution tells us how acidic or alkaline it is on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7.0 indicating a pH-neutral solution. From this neutral midpoint, the solution becomes increasingly acidic as the pH approaches zero and increasingly alkaline as the pH approaches 14. Pure water is pH neutral.

When you look at the chemistry behind pH, as you probably know, water molecules consist of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H2O). But when a compound dissolves in water and produces free ions (atoms or molecules with an electrical charge), it can cause some of the water molecules to split apart, creating positively charged ions (H+) and negative charged hydroxide ions (OH-).

The pH of a solution indicates the concentration of free hydrogen ions it contains. Pure water has equal concentrations of H+ and OH-, while acidic solutions have higher concentrations of H+ than OH- and alkaline solutions have the reverse. These characteristics at the molecular level are responsible for the sour and corrosive properties of acid solutions and the bitter, slippery nature of alkaline solutions.

A pH value is a scale measurement, meaning that each whole number represents a tenfold difference in the concentration of hydrogen ions, and therefore, a tenfold difference in the strength of the acidity or alkalinity.

In soil based planting, plant roots absorb nutrients dissolved in water which originate from organic and inorganic compounds in the soil. Microorganisms and organic matter play a role in the formation and fertility of the soil, while interactions of minerals and water fluctuations in pH levels naturally control soil’s pH. Plants that grow in these soils have evolved and adapted themselves to take advantage of these controlled soil pH levels. Hydroponic growers are solely responsible for recreating the ideal environments that encourage plant roots to absorb vital nutrients.

Whichever type of hydroponic system you are using, the goal is to always deliver water and nutrients to the roots of plants via a water-based nutrient solution. And while it’s crucial that you deliver a consistent supply of the nutrients that are appropriate for the types of plants you are growing, it’s also vitally important that you provide the proper pH levels for nutrient uptake.

Monitoring and adjusting pH in hydroponics ensures the nutrient availability of your solution. Subsequently, if your nutrient solution doesn’t have the correct pH, you risk starving your plants – even though you are providing them with plenty of nutrients.

Your crops will certainly grow without use of any pH adjusters. However, using pH adjusters unlocks the nutrient absorption ability of your crops.

Bringing the pH level of your nutrient tank to the correct levels will allow your crops to receive as much macronutrient, micronutrient, and trace elements as it can. In published agricultural journals derived from actual science based research, crops grown in the correct pH grow larger, healthier, and heavier compared to crops grown without the use of pH control. Hence the reason why commercial scale growers are particular about pH adjusters and make use of 24/7 monitoring systems that automatically dose nutrient tanks with pH adjusters.

Use NutriHydro’s Seedling Starter to sprout seeds. When you introduce your seedlings to nutrients at half or full strength, be absolutely sure that the nutrient is pH balanced by using NutriHydro Seedling Starter. Using NutriHydro Seedling Starter unlocks the full potential of your crops to absorb nutrients and will lead to the healthiest possible seedlings you can produce. In any crop cycle, the health and quality of your seedlings will determine the success of your harvest.

For foliage crops, 5.8 pH is the recommended optimal pH. At this pH, foliage seedlings will receive the perfect combination of macronutrients, micronutrients, and trace elements. 

Use NutriHydro Seedling Starter only during the seedling stage of your crops. On your crop’s growth cycle, use either NutriHydro Phosphorus based pH Down or NutriHydro Nitrogen Based pH Down.

The two mainstays of NutriHydro’s pH control system are NutriHydro Nitrogen Based pH Down and NutriHydro Phosphorus Based pH Down. These products are used to control pH in the entire crop cycle except during the crop’s seedling stage.

FOLIAGE CROPS:

Use NutriHydro Nitrogen Based pH Down when growing foliage crops. This product is designed to control the pH of nutrient tanks that grow lettuce, green and leafy crops, and herbs. The use of this product has been documented to grow healthier and wider spanning leaves.

BLOOMING, FLOWERING, AND FRUITING CROPS:

Use NutriHydro Phosphorus Based pH Down when growing crops that bloom, flower, and fruit. This product is designed to control the pH of nutrient tanks that grow flowering and fruit bearing crops. The use of this product has been documented to enhance the fruiting flowering and fruiting capability of crops.  

NutriHydro (NH) Nutrient Solubility Enhancer is used to enhance the current solubility of nutrients in your tank. Its components are made up of very high-quality nitrogen, food grade acids , and solubility enhancers that improve the solubility of inorganic nutrients.

This product is intended for use with foliage crops and replaces NutriHydro Nitrogen or Phosphorus Based pH Down during the days NutriHydro Nutrient Solubility Enhancer will be used. The very high-quality components used in this product are very potent such that it works as a pH Down adjuster. When using this product, do not use on the same day as you use NH Phosphorus Based or NH Nitrogen Based pH Down.

For example:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, use NutriHydro Nitrogen or Phosphorus based pH Down, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, use NutriHydro Nutrient Solubility Enhancer. Using both NutriHydro Nitrogen/Phosphorus Based pH Down will cause pH to significantly drop below usable levels and may cause harm to crops.

In case of overuse:

Keep adding water to your nutrient tank and measure with a pH meter until you have reached your desired pH level. You may also use NutriHydro pH Up to correct your pH level.