Hi
Question regarding feeding my plants, firstly I use filtered water I put recommended nutrients in then ph the solution to 5.8 to 6 (I’m using coco) but when it ppm or EC it is only showing 28
When I test the water before it’s filtered it show around 380 PPM
Why once the water is filtered and nutrients added is it only 28?
Can only advise what I should do? Do I gradually add more nutrients to bring it up to 600+
Jon L
It sounds like your meter is broken. Calibrate? There is calibration fluid out there for TDS meters.
Thanks I thought it might be.
Can you recommend a decent one that won’t break the bank?
Thanks in advance
Jon L
This one would work. When it craps out buy another one.
Sounds like it may be switching between TDS and EC mode.
Some TDS meters have a multiplier on them. Not saying that’s the issue, but I have had one that did.
Thanks all for ya info I’ll purchase a new one I think
Hi again
I purchased the TDS/EC meter that you recommended (thanks for that) wen growing in coco what is the correct ppm and EC reading?
Thanks in advance
Jon
It depends on if you are measuring the water/nutrient solution you are adding; or whether you are measuring the runoff.
I personally use 1/4 to 1/3 of the recommended nutrient schedule in my coco. This has worked for me. When I used full dosage it lead to high ppms and I hurt my plants. My base water has ppms of 180. For example, if my nutrient schedule calls to add 1200ppms, I add enough nutrients to get my base water up to 480ppms (180+1200/4).
For the runoff, you want it to range from 500-1500, lower earlier in life, higher later in life. I aim to keep mine around 1000, regardless.
When you filter your water, and prior to adding nutrients, your ppms of that water is 380? That’s pretty high for filtered water. Do you have city water or well water?
That’s going to depend on the age of the plant, it’s size, what stage of growth it’s in, the nutrient line you are using etc.
My rule of thumb is to use Drain to Waste schedule and target 600 to 800 ppm in veg and 1,200 to 1,400 ppm in flower. PH at the high end 5.8 to 6.0 works best for me.
@Sixpackdad has obviously grown in coco before. Following a published schedule with lower TDS values than recommended is very wise as they are not in the business of conserving nutes lol. What the schedule should show are regular flushes to reduce the salt buildup and you will need to run cal mag to offset coco’s desire to sequester these away from the plant so you need to supplement.
Hi
No the 380 PPM is tap water (I live in a city) once filtered its normally then below 20PPM
When you say run off, is that just running water through the soil? And then checking the PPM of that?
Sorry for all the questions but this is my first grow and I have a lot to learn
Regards
Jon
Yes, if you water slowly so the pots soil will saturate and then start to pour out the bottom. In coco you want a good amount to come back out, 20-30%. You can take a sample and measure the pH and ppm.
Thanks that’s a bit clearer now
Ok thanks for the info, just one more question
What is cal mag? What is it’s purpose? And how often is it used?
Thanks in advance
Jon
Here’s a link to it on Amazon: it’s a calcium and magnesium (and other trace elements) supplement for plants. Very commonly used in growing cannabis.
Thank you very for your help
My ppm is at 526 and EC is 1079 id like my id like to get my ppm closer in the 8 to 900s I’m also using GH Flora trio what should I do mind you i new to growing
Hi when you say you ppm is 526, what are you measuring? Is it the nutrient solution you are adding to the plant, or are you measuring the runoff? There is also a support ticket you can fill out that gives info on your grow op that people can assess. Welcome to the club!. ILGM
It is my nutrients solution
That ppm may be fine if you are early veg. I don’t use GH trio, but I’d you are following their instructions and your ppm is around 500 that is probably ok. Got a picture? Where are you in the he cycle?