Page 3 - Griffin Gazette Issue 1 - 2019

When you grow your understanding humidity of the environment in the plant
canopy. Temperature can impact specific
nutrient absorption, and the rate at which
you can grow better plants! controlled-release fertilizers are depleted.
Now that we know the importance of
measuring the root zone environment,
how do we measure EC (nutrients),
moisture and temperature in the root
zone without it being a very labor-
intensive chore? That’s easy, Bluelab
has done it again. The new Bluelab
Pulse™ Meter measures EC, moisture
and temperature directly in the root zone
in under 10 seconds. The Pulse Meter is
coupled with the powerful Pulse mobile
app, where measurement data is auto-
synced, viewed, stored and compared.
Measurement data can also be exported.
MEASURING PH IN SOIL/
SOILLESS MEDIA
Soil has a natural ability to prevent the pH
from shifting dramatically. This is called
buffering. Soil contains microorganisms,
decomposing matter and varying
By Cindy Farnsworth, North American of pores and voids that are occupied by moisture levels, all of which can change
Sales Manager, Bluelab oxygen and water/nutrient ions. the pH value. Soilless mixes can create
different behaviors with pH. It’s best to
Whether you’re growing plants for MEASURING NUTRIENT LEVELS measure media pH before planting as
business or as a hobby, you need to IN THE ROOT ZONE well as during the growth cycle; different
understand their growing environment. The root zone is the region where the plants thrive in different media pH values
When you measure the root zone, then plant absorbs nutrients from its growing due to nutrients becoming soluble
you know the plant's environment, and media. Measuring the EC here will and therefore available to the plant at
you can then manage and control it! give you the best picture of nutrient different pH levels. Knowing the pH value
GROWING MEDIA quantities available to the plant. If you of your media should help determine
Successful growth depends on the plant measure away from the root zone, you the appropriate medium treatment to
may obtain the optimum EC value,
and its root system being supported. but the plant can’t absorb nutrients optimize plant growth and health.
That’s the role of a growing medium. from there. Soilless mediums are mostly used in
Media range from the traditional soil container growing. Common materials
to soilless mixes to solution-based MEASURING MOISTURE LEVELS include coco coir, perlite, vermiculite and
hydroponic methods, and are chosen IN THE ROOT ZONE peat moss. Accurate measurement of
according to the cultivation method Moisture content is the amount of water the pH of any media is essential. Note
and crop. present in the media, thus what’s available that pH levels are not standardized,
to the plant. Measuring this ensures that the and the medium may require treatment
All growing media types must provide:
plant's roots are sufficiently hydrated and before use for growing.
• Good oxygen supply to the roots not waterlogged. This is particularly
important as the physical properties of Traditional ways of measuring are very
• Supply of water to the roots to keep time consuming and tedious! That’s why
them hydrated (moisture levels) different growth media retain water differently Bluelab has introduced the Bluelab
and can cause issues if not monitored.
• Sufficient drainage to prevent the roots Multimedia pH Meter. It takes an
from becoming waterlogged, which can MEASURING TEMPERATURE IN accurate and quick pH reading directly
cause rotting GROWING MEDIA in the root zone: no slurry, no pour-thru,
Measuring the temperature of your no waiting. For best results, the soil must
• Sufficient supply of nutrients to be growing media will help you to decide be moist. We suggest taking readings
transported by water through the media how frequently your crop requires approximately 2 hours after watering.
and to the plants’ roots (EC levels) irrigating. It will also impact the plant’s pH will affect every part of the plant's
The coarseness and absorbency of the internal temperature and how much life cycle. Perfect your pH, and you will
medium are what determines the ratio water exchange is required to cool it perfect your crop results.
down. This goes hand-in-hand with the