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19. PH AND FERTILIZERS
PH can make or break your nutrient solution. 6.7-5.8 is best to ensure
there is no nutrient lock-up occurring. Hydroponics
requires the solution to be PH corrected for the medium
before exposing to the plants. Phosphoresic acid can
make the PH go down; lime or potash can take it up when
it gets too acid. Buy a PH meter and use it in soil,
water, and hydroponic medium to make sure you're not
going alkaline or acid over time.
Most fertilizers cause a ph change in the soil. Adding fertilizer to the
soil almost always results in a more acidic ph.
As
time goes on, the amount of salts produced by the
breakdown of fertilizers in the soil causes the soil to
become increasingly acidic and eventually the
concentration of these salts in the soil will stunt the
plant and cause browning out of the foliage. Also, as
the plant gets older its roots become less effective in
bringing food to the leaves.
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