pH/ TDS / PPM / EC of Water for Hydroponic Plants

We often get asked what the nutrient requirements are for a specific plant variety, this is the informative article we always refer them to. Joining a hydroponic community forum pertaining to the plant variety you wish to grow can also be highly beneficial. The pH and electro-conductivity values specified here are given as a broad range. It […]
pH/TDS/PPM/EC 6-in-1 Water Quality Meter

We often get asked what the nutrient requirements are for specific plants, and this is the informative article we refer to.

The pH and electro-conductivity values specified here are just vague guidelines. Your specific plant growing requirements will vary according to regional climatic conditions, and from season to season within that region. 

EC reading should be monitored. These values for hydroponic plants only (soil-grown plants will differ slightly). 

The concentration of salts ms cm is what we measure with an EC or ppm meter. 

Nutrients generally dissolve in water and provide resistance measured by EC & PPM Meters. 

Positively charged ions conduct electricity measured in ppm

Temperature affects the pH of water however most good pH meters have automatic temperature compensation.

Some cheap pH meters come with a sachet that you dissolve in distilled water 

Consider buying a pH Meter & EC Meter to feed your plants nutrient accurately.

Electro-Conductivity (EC) or Conductivity Factor (cF) can be expressed as either milliSiemens (mS), cF, or parts per million (PPM) 1 mS = 10cF = 700ppm.

Joining a hydroponic community forum relating to the plant you are growing to unlock your full potential with maximum yields.

Check out: 

Simple Guide to Understanding Nutrient Concentration or How to Test Soil pH


Vegetables
Plants pH cF EC PPM
Ambra radicchio 5.5-6.5
Artichoke 6.5-7.5 8-18 0.8-1.8 560-1260
Asparagus 6.0-6.8 14-18 1.4-1.8 980-1260
Bean (Common) 6.0 20-40 2-4 1400-2800
Beans (Italian bush) 6.0-6.5
Beans (Lima) 6.0-6.5
Beans (Pole) 6.0-6.5
Beetroot 6.0-6.5 8-50 0.8-5 1260-3500
Broad Bean 6.0-6.5 18-22 1.8-2.2 1260-1540
Broccoli 6.0-6.5 28-35 2.8-3.5 1960-2450
Brussell Sprout 6.5-7.5 25-30 2.5-3.0 1750-2100
Cabbage 6.5-7.0 25-30 2.5-3.0 1750-2100
Capsicum 6.0-6.5 18-22 1.8-2.2 1260-1540
Carrots 6.3 16-20 1.6-2.0 1120-1400
Cauliflower 6.0-7.0 5-20 0.5-2.0 1050-1400
Celery 6.5 18-24 1.8- 2.4 1260-1680
Collard greens 6.5-7.5
Cucumber 5.8-6.0 17-25 1.7-2.5 1190-1750
Eggplant 5.5-6.5 25-35 2.5-3.5 1750-2450
Endive 5.5 20-24 2.0-2.4 1400-1680
Fodder 6.0 18-20 1.8-2.0 1260-1400
Garlic 6.0 14-18 1.4-1.8 980-1260
Leek 6.5-7.0 14-18 1.4-1.8 980-1260
Lettuce 5.5-6.5 8-12 0.8-1.2 560-840
Marrow 6.0 18-24 1.8-2.4 1260-1680
Okra 6.5 20-24 2.0-2.4 1400-1680
Onions 6.0-6.7 14-18 1.4-1.8 980-1260
Pak Choi 7.0 15-20 1.5-2.0 1050-1400
Parsnip 6.0 14-18 1.4-1.8 980-1260
Pea 6.0-7.0 8-18 0.8-1.8 980-1260
Peas (Sugar) 6.0-6.8
Pepino 6.0-6.5 20-50 2.0-5.0 1400-3500
Peppers 5.8-6.3 20-30 2.0-3.0 1400-2100
Bell peppers 6.0-6.5 20-25 2.0-2.5 1400-1750
Hot Peppers 6.0-6.5 30-35 3.0-3.5 2100-2450
Potato 5.0-6.0 20-25 2.0-2.5 1400-1750
Pumpkin 5.5-7.5 18-24 1.8-2.4 1260-1680
Radish 6.0-7.0 16-22 1.6-2.2  840-1540
Spinach 5.5-6.6 18-23 1.8-2.3 1260-1610
Silverbeet 6.0-7.0 18-23 1.8-2.3 1260-1610
Sweet Corn 6.0 16-24 1.6-2.4 840-1680
Sweet Potato 5.5-6.0 20-25 2.0-2.5 1400-1750
Swiss chard 6.0 6.5
Squash (Summer) 5.0-6.5
Squash (Winter) 5.0-6.5
Taro 5.0-5.5 25-30 2.5-3.0 1750-2100
Tomato 5.5-6.5 20-50 2.0-5.0 1400-3500
Turnip 6.0-6.5 18-24 1.8-2.4 1260-1680
Zucchini  6.0 18-24 1.8-2.4 1260-1680

 

Cannabis is grown Indoors at:

Max 1.4 EC / 700 ppm * during Vegetative phase

Max 1.6EC / 800 ppm * during Flowering phase.

a pH of 5.5 - 5.8 

* without co2 injection and control.

As a general rule, plants will have a higher nutrient requirement during colder months, and lower demand in the hottest months. Therefore, a stronger nutrient solution should be maintained during winter, with a weaker solution during summer when plants take up more water than nutrients.

 

Some of the information on this page is sourced from: www.homehydrosystems.com/ph_tds_ppm/ph_vegetables_page.html

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