Indoor Hydroponics: Start with the Water
Sometimes the simplest way to start is to start simple Don’t worry too much about the outcome. Just get some momentum going. We all have to start somewhere. It’s easiest to work with a single houseplant.
First of all we start with the water. We must make sure that:
- The water hasn’t gone through a water softener system.
- The pH is not too high (alkaline), i.e., greater than 7.
- We have a method of testing the pH. For that we buy the pH testing strips at a pharmacy or garden supply store.
- We have a method of bringing the pH in the proper range for a house plant - between 6.0 and 7.0.
Chlorine can alkalinize (i.e., make more basic) water. If one lets the water stand for 2 days, the water should become more acidic. Or one can simply adjust the pH immediately. Use common household vinegar to acidify the water. Add a drop of vinegar then retest with a pH strip. When in range stop. Keep a record of how many drops of vinegar it took to bring the pH in range for a given volume of water.
Most houseplants thrive at a pH between 6 and 7.
On the other hand, if the water is too acidic, we use common household baking soda to move the pH to the desired level. Add a small amount at a time and test after each addition. Again record the amount of bicarbonate of soda required for a given amount of water.
You do have to do a little thinking ahead just for the water.
Next, the plant, container and nutrients.
