Why Monitoring pH and EC is Critical in Hydroponics

In hydroponics, plants depend entirely on the nutrient solution you provide. Unlike soil-grown crops, there is no buffer zone — which means pH and EC must be monitored carefully to maintain healthy growth.

What is pH?

pH measures how acidic or alkaline your nutrient solution is. Most hydroponic crops perform best between 5.5 and 6.5. Outside this range, nutrient lockout can occur, preventing plants from absorbing essential elements like nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium.

What is EC?

EC (Electrical Conductivity) indicates the concentration of nutrients in your solution. If EC is too low, plants may suffer deficiencies. If it is too high, roots can experience nutrient burn.

Why Manual Guesswork is Risky

Small fluctuations can lead to:

• Slower growth

• Reduced yields

• Leaf discoloration

• Root damage

Using reliable digital pH and EC meters ensures precision, consistency, and better crop performance.

Accurate measurement is the foundation of successful hydroponic farming.