CBD 101: What Is The Best Soil pH for Growing Cannabis?
Cannabis, like every other plant, requires optimal environmental and soil conditions to grow. And where other plants may thrive in unfavorable conditions, cannabis may not develop, or yield poor leaves and seeds. One of the most critical parameters to consider when growing cannabis is the soil pH.
What is Soil pH?
Soil pH is a term that describes the soil’s level of acidity. In chemistry, pH ranges from 0 to 14 (from strongly acidic to strongly alkaline). Soil pH is measured by testing a soil sample. By taking note of all variables and factors contributing to the pH, farmers can improve cannabis yield.
There are several ways of checking soil pH, but the easiest is through simple pH testing kits sold in stores. Upon testing, the soil pH will determine further activities. If the pH is a bit lower or higher than the optimal pH, specific actions may be taken to bring the pH to the optimal level.
Best pH for Growing Cannabis
Several researchers agree that cannabis growing in the wild performs well in a slightly acidic environment with a pH of 6.0 and 6.5. However, home-grown or farm-grown cannabis is known to do well in slightly varied pH soil:
- Soil: 6.0–7.0 pH
- Hydroponics or Soilless: 5.5–6.5 pH
Now, some growers are lucky to grow cannabis in soil that has a broader pH margin and still gets relatively excellent yields; several factors could make that possible. But for most growers seeking to grow healthy, organic, and high-yield cannabis, the pH must always be accounted for.
Importance of Monitoring soil pH
It is important to monitor soil pH for growing cannabis because soil pH impacts a plant’s ability to uptake nutrients, perform pHotosynthesis, and reach a high yield. pH imbalance can also cause physiological shock to cannabis, resulting in death or poor and stunted growth. pH also impacts the function of specific plant nutrients. For example, metal nutrients such as potassium and sodium may be rendered non-functional if the pH is too acidic. If the pH is too alkaline, nonmetal nutrients may be nonfunctional.
It is possible to adjust soil pH before and after planting cannabis.
Adjusting Soil pH
You might wonder why growers don’t just add acids or bases to adjust soil pH. Most acids and bases will kill soil and microorganisms and make the ground bare of life. You know that it is terrible for growing cannabis.
There are several methods of adjusting pH; the technique used depends on the pH level. The most ordinary way is to neutralize soil acidity by limiting or adding certain nutrients that neutralize the acid. This process is relatively easy but requires some calculation to avoid tilting the pH balance to more alkaline levels.
There are special soil pH adjustment kits for cannabis that growers can purchase from stores. They typically come with directions and measurements and can be applied within a short time.
Final Words
Soil pH affects the growth and yield of cannabis, and growers must ensure that soil pH stays within the acceptable range. There are many reasons why the soil pH may change, but growers can adjust soil pH using simple but specialized soil pH adjustment kits.
