Germination solution, what PH?

Discussion in 'Hydroponic Growing' started by Doughnut, Oct 30, 2010.

  1. #1 Doughnut, Oct 30, 2010
    Hi All,

    I am going to attempt the rockwool germination technique, simply place in rockwool in a dome, lights on, correct temp and let the seed germinate.

    I will be using RO water, therectically with a PH of 7.

    Should I use some PH down to lower my PH to 5.5 (correct me please if that figure is wrong) for the rockwool solution?

    Also once the rockwool cube is placed in the hydroton netpot, what should the PH of my res water be?

    Its a DWC, bubble bucket system.

    I'm worried if I use PH down and have a ph of 5.5 when i add my nutes after day 14 my PH will plumet, I guess this can be countered with fresh RO water, but I'd rather the knowledable on here direct me the right way :cool:

    Thanks all.
     
  2. #2 Raoul, Oct 30, 2010
    I think you want to germinate in the rock-wool before you go to the bucket. You want nice roots established first.

    I would not assume that the pH from your RO will be 7..
     
  3. #3 Doughnut, Oct 30, 2010
    Hmm, thanks, ill test it.

    But lets assume it is at 7 for now, the solution the seed germinates in, what PH should it be?

    Same with the res water with 0 nutes and RO water, should it be lowered with PH down to a suitable PH range for hydro?
     
  4. #4 Tayanissa, Oct 31, 2010
    PH for new plants is 5.5-6.5 my RO tap water is 7.0 most of the time.
     
  5. #5 Raoul, Oct 31, 2010
    Germinate in plain (clean) water - the seed-leaves (cotyledons) will supply the plant until they drop off. No nutes necessary..
     
  6. #6 tplat, Oct 31, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 31, 2010


    I dont do hydro but am now doing a coco grow and with that medium you PH everything like its a hydro set up to a PH of 5.8 for coco. Nutes will lower a water`s PH level so to me it would make sense to add nutes to your water then use some PH Up or Down to reach the desired PH level. As for germinating seeds I just use straight tap water that sat out for 24 hours with no nutes or PH adjustments and the same for the first couple of weeks or so after that plant has sprouted.
     
  7. #7 Doughnut, Oct 31, 2010
    Oh right, thanks guys.

    Just so I got this right, at 2 weeks when i start nutes, ill obviously use less than recomended to avoid burns, in which case should i use PH down to lower my PH to the hydro range?
     
  8. #8 tplat, Oct 31, 2010
    Yeah 2 weeks or so when they have more leaves growing not counting the little round leaves they start out with. Add your nutes to the water then test the PH to see if you need to adjust up or down.
     
  9. #9 Doughnut, Oct 31, 2010
    Thanks guys, awesome.

    Reps for all :cool:
     
  10. #10 reznkk, Oct 31, 2010
    I personally use RO water pH'd to 6.0 and add some H&G Roots Excellerator as soon as they pop, out of 54 seeds, 53 popped and are happy right now.
     
  11. #11 Yoda, Nov 1, 2010


    great info:cool:

    ph is only important if your giving them nutrients..
    otherwise means nothing at that point...
     
  12. #12 Raoul, Nov 1, 2010
    With the exceptions of the extremes .. don't expect to germinate in pH 2 :)
     

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