4 minute read
Water and the Terrible 10
BY RICH GELLERT
When it comes to thirsty plants, is there such thing as good or bad water? It’s important to remember that nutrient formulas are optimized for use with purified water. Meaning, if growing hydroponically and the water is not being filtered or cleaned, then nutrient formulas, no matter how good or expensive, will not operate effectively. Reverse osmosis (RO) is the only way to make sure the input water profile meets the chosen nutrient formula’s specifications.
So, what happens if input water containing unknown variables is used? In all likelihood, the plant will still flower, and life will go on. The question is, did the plants produce the highest yield and potency according to their genetic potential?
Every professional grower knows that traditional commercial agriculture techniques do not yield boutique-level flower. The investments and engineering of a successful retail operation are focused on scaling small batch, top-shelf methods to meet the ever-increasing demand legalization brings. To achieve that goal, one of the first things they do is take control of water chemistry. Control of all of the inputs is critical to delivering a superior product, but eliminating variables in the water is perhaps the most crucial step of all.
Typically, water variables that affect flowering make up the terrible ten, a list of chemical and biological considerations every serious grower needs to know. While hardly anything sneaks past a well-maintained RO system, it is essential to understand the combination of variables your water contains.
1. Chlorine: Chlorine is a biocide introduced to drinking water to make it safe for human consumption. Unfortunately for crops, it also kills beneficial bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms. Any healthy organic or bio hydro garden is chlorine-free. Cultivators who use compost teas or bio extract solutions typically remove chlorine from their source water. The nutrient chloride plants need is provided in professional growth formulas, balanced to perfectly support the overall health and potential of the plant without the downsides of chlorine.
2. Chloramines: Like chlorine, chloramine is a biocide with similar drawbacks. Chemically, it is differentiated by the addition of ammonia, which gives the biocidal properties a longer life and the ability to travel long distances through water pipeline transport.
3. Mineral hardness: Mineral hardness is made up of calcium and magnesium dissolved in water and is the single most common cause of water problems in cultivation facilities. High levels of hardness in untreated water will lock out essential nutrients to plants and form scale on equipment and tubing. The most typical form of these minerals in water is calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. The molecules of these compounds found in untreated water are far too large and immobile to be absorbed efficiently by the roots and transported to where the plant needs them. Nutrient formulas all contain molecular forms of cal/mag that are more bioavailable, and therefore, better support the full genetic potential of the plant.
4. Fluoride: Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is present in most municipal water but is a toxic substance to plants. Thirty-four plant enzymes are affected by fluoride, as is seed germination. Enzyme additives will not do their job correctly with fluoride in the water, and it is always recommended to remove fluoride with RO.
5. Volatile Organic Compounds: Some VOCs are known or suspected carcinogens. Trace amounts of these can end up in the plant’s tissues, flowers, and fruits. Any grower wishing to produce plants free of VOCs should remove these compounds using RO.
6. Iron/Sulfur: Water containing iron or sulfur may have a metallic taste and an offensive odor. Nutrient lockout, algae growth, and equipment staining can all be the result of too much iron in the water. In proper doses, both these compounds are beneficial to the health of the crops, and a perfect chemical balance can be achieved through the use of RO and professional nutrient formulas.
7. Pesticides: Local agricultural areas may be leaching harmful contaminants into groundwater. These can end up in water supplied to cultivation facilities and ultimately end up in plant tissue. Depending on the area and source, this can be seasonal and fluctuate with temperature changes. RO is the only way to eliminate most pesticide contamination confidently.
8. Bacteria: Bacterial overgrowth can wreak havoc with any step in the growing process, from fouling/compromising equipment to destroying the plant through root deterioration. A proper solution to prevent bacterial contamination is a combination of ultraviolet treatment and RO.
9. Nitrates: Toxic substances often found in the runoff from agriculture, animal yards, etc., contributing to overnitrification and algae growth. High quantities of nitrates in untreated water can negatively affect the later stages of flowering when cultivators typically try to limit nitrate levels.
10. PH Imbalance: Water that has a pH that is either too high or too low will not allow nutrients to be adequately absorbed and can becorrosive to equipment. Adjusting the pH of nutrient solutions may be difficult due to fluctuations in source water pH levels.
Taking a grow seriously requires research and dedication to understanding the science of what makes cannabis happy. One cannot assume that the chemical composition of the input water is optimized, or even safe, for the crops. If the goal is to grow high-quality, potent medicine – in any quantity - it’s important to know that the product is as pure and contaminant-free as possible. When in doubt, merely eliminate potentially devastating variables with an inexpensive, highly efficient RO system. That’s the rule of the green thumb.
BIO
Richard Gellert is an adventure-seeker; he loves wilderness, biking, and hitting the slopes - the steeper, the better. Also an avid gardener, Rich has created extensive gardens to grow fruits and vegetables for his family year-round. He is the president of Hydrologic Purification Systems, a company delivering top-shelf hydroponic water filtration systems to consumers. Speaking five languages, and with as many advanced degrees, Rich has become the industry’s leading expert in water quality, facility discharge, reclamation systems, and regulation compliance. His articles have appeared in Max Yield, HydroLife, Garden Culture, and Urban Garden.
