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- pH - What is it and why should I care?
Switched on Gardener stocks a large range of water care products, from products to test pH to products that help you clean and calibrate your equipment

What is pH? pH is a scale from 1 to 14 which measures the acid-to-alkaline balance. 1 is most acidic, 7 is neutral while 14 is most alkaline.

With a ten fold difference between each point on the scale, accurate measurement and control is essential to a strong healthy plant.

There are many things that could go wrong indoors that are confused with a lack of fertilizer. The pH of both the growing medium and water are of prime importance. If the pH is not between 6 and 7 (5.5-6.5 for hydroponic units) some nutrients will be locked in the medium, even if the nutrient is in abundant supply. The plant is not able to absorb it chemically because the pH will not allow it.
Every full point change in pH represents a ten fold increase or decrease in acidity. For example soil or water with a pH of 5 is 10 times more acidic than water or soil with a pH of 6. Water with a pH of 5 is 100 times more acidic than water with a pH of 7.
A pH below 6.5 may cause a deficiency in calcium. If this happens root tips could burn and leaves are susceptible to fungus (leaf spot). A pH over 7 will slow down the plants intake of iron, chlorotic leaves with yellowing veins will result. (Chlorotic adj. Describes abnormally pale, weak-looking foliage due to reduced chlorophyll content; often caused by a nitrogen or iron deficiency)
For the most accurate pH test use an electronic pH meter.
Incorrect pH contributes to most serious nutrient disorders. This is why it is vital that pH neutral medium is used, that any medium is properly rinsed to ensure neutral pH, and that all nutrient whether for hydroponic gardens or soil is pH balanced.
There are 3 common types of pH test kit available on the market, Litmus paper, reagent test kit and electronic test kit.
If using a litmus paper test the container should have a pH colour chart on the side. To learn the pH, match the colour of the litmus paper with the colours on the chart to get a pH reading. Litmus paper will accurately measure the acidity of a substance to within a point. The litmus paper could give a false reading if the fertilizer contains a colour tracing agent.
Electronic pH meters are economical and convenient. Less expensive pH meters are accurate enough for causal use, more expensive models are quite accurate. Keep the probe end of the pH meter clean.
pH tape or Litmus paper is an often overlooked but very versatile and easy way to check your pH for those that cannot yet afford the accuracy and ease of an electronic tester
The tape above was used to test West Auckland tap water, the result was between 7.7 & 8.0

“Tip: Always test water or nutrient, never give water or nutrient to your plants with a pH of above 7.5 or below 5. Your pH can be easily corrected by using either pH raise or pH lower. You will find both at your local Switched on Gardener.”