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Growing cannabis is not as complicated as it may seem, but if you want to do it right and avoid any pitfalls along the way, here are five things you need to know about the pH of the water and how it affects your plants.
First of all, what is pH, and why should we care? Have you ever noticed how some plants can do just fine with tap water while others show signs of deficiency as soon as the pH goes below 6.5? That’s because not all plants like acid water, and some (like cannabis) cannot grow in acidic soils.
Every plant (and every microbe, fungus, and insect) has a specific range of water pH it can tolerate, and getting the pH right is one of the most important things you will ever do for your plants. Even if you give them exactly the correct amount of light, water, and nutrients, they will grow poorly if the pH is wrong.
Some plants cannot tolerate acidic soils because their seeds cannot germinate in acidic conditions. While most seeds will grow at a slightly acid pH of 5, cannabis seeds have an optimum pH range of 6.5-7.0 to germinate and will only do so at a pH of 6 or below. And even if they grow in acidic conditions, the seedlings will likely die quickly.
The second reason is that plants cannot absorb some fertilizers when the pH is too low. pH has a tremendous effect on the solubility of nutrients, especially trace elements, which means that you may have all of the right ingredients, but if your pH is wrong, you won’t be able to use them.
Cannabis can grow well in neutral or slightly alkaline conditions (pH 6-8) but cannot tolerate high alkalinity, so the total dissolved solids must be low to mid-level. This includes things like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium.
Location is also essential: Cannabis doesn’t like growing in water with a high total dissolved solids (TDS) level and will perform best in soft water with around 100-150 ppm. This TDS can only come from treating the source water to remove things like calcium and magnesium and replace them with sodium.
If you have a water softener or a reverse osmosis system, cannabis will grow best if you use the waste brine from the water softener as your base nutrients.
This step aims to reduce the TDS level to prevent “flooding” (which can happen when the water is too rich).
Water very high in total dissolved solids will cause a problem known as “flooding,” where the plant cannot get enough oxygen and nutrients to the roots. Flooded plants die quickly.
pH stands for “potential hydrogen” and indicates the presence of hydrogen ions in water. A pH of 7 means an equal number of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions are present in the water.
The presence or absence of these hydrogen ions significantly affects your plants because they can affect nutrient absorption, cellular respiration, enzyme activity, etc. If the pH is too high or low, the nutrients will either tie up to other compounds and be unavailable for your plants or leach out of the soil.
There are some ways you can test pH levels, including:
-pH indicator strips – These work well enough but aren’t accurate.
-pH test kit – These are cheap and reasonably accurate, but you need to calibrate them regularly.
Electronic pH meters – A bit pricier than the test kits at first, but they’re reusable and more reliable in the long run. They also require less maintenance once you calibrate them.
The calibration solution with the kit is suitable for maintaining tight tolerances over time, but you should still test the pH regularly. To calibrate your pH meter, use distilled water and let it sit out in the open for an hour or so.
With all this knowledge, you should successfully grow a healthy crop of cannabis. Just keep your pH level in check and remember that, as with everything else, too much of a good thing is no good!
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Denver has a lot to offer in medical and recreational cannabis dispensaries. This is true whether or not marijuana use is legal in Denver, as there are still many in the Denver area offering high-quality cannabis for years now. Denver is home to some great dispensaries, but one stands out among the rest for a few reasons.
The Stone Denver Dispensary is one of Denver’s finest dispensaries and offers a wide variety of all different types of marijuana products. Whether you’re looking for a good time with friends or just a quick way to relieve pain, The Stone Denver Dispensary has what you need.
The Stone Denver dispensary provides high-quality cannabis options that have been great for Colorado. If you aren’t sure what exactly you should try from The Stone Denver Dispensary, the staff is ready to help figure out which product is best for your needs. They can also answer any questions you may have regarding their products or services and give recommendations on the best ways to ingest whichever strain you decide upon buying.
You will find that The Stone Denver Dispensary is easily accessible to anyone looking for a Denver dispensary. Not only are the hours long enough for most people, but the location is effortless to get to as well. The Stone Denver Dispensary puts the customer first and wants their needs taken care of, no matter how big or small they may be.
If you decide to visit The Stone Denver Dispensary, make sure you bring cash with you. It’s better safe than sorry!
If you’re in Denver and want to grab some great cannabis products while having a good time doing it, stop by The Stone Denver Dispensary today!
We warmly welcome you to explore our highly acclaimed strains, concentrates, and edibles. Serving recreational clients with pride is our passion.
At our dispensary, you'll find a professional yet inviting atmosphere that prioritizes your comfort and privacy. Feel free to stop by at your earliest convenience to experience it for yourself. We can't wait to serve you!
