Water is vital to all living things
Cannabis, like all plants uses water in its vital functions. When you water your plants with a nutrient solution, the roots absorb and transport it into the plant’s cell. This is used to produce sugars. Sugars are used to grow and develop the stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds. Excellent water helps provide excellent growth!
Happily Watering
Although you could use just any water, it may contain dissolved solids (TDS) that effect how well these processes work. Dissolved solids are elements in the water such as minerals, salts & metals. Depending on the specific elements dissolved in the water, it will have a positive charge or negative charge measured by a TDS meter. Water with too high of a reading (hard water) makes it hard for the water to pass through the roots and feed the plant. Too much Hard water can also end up coating the roots and actually repel water instead of absorbing it. Can you imagine thinking you are happily watering your grow and all the time you are harming it!
There’s no direct relation between pH and TDS. But if elements in the water are acidic or alkaline, it can change the pH level. Dissolved solids come from anything your water touches. It can come from organic matter such as leaves, silt and runoff water that contain fertilizers and pesticides. They can also come from inorganic matter such as rocks, air or pipes. Some of these are used by cannabis plants but depending on the type of matter and quantity it absorbs; your plants can have problems.
The US EPA advises that higher than 500mg of TDS can be harmful for human consumption
This also applies to your plants. Depending on the elements present, watering your plants with water that has more than 500mg of TDS can cause plants to have problems absorbing nutrients. This can lead to stunted growth, and reduced yields. Some elements like lead, nitrate, and cadmium are actually toxic to your plants so it is essential that you know what’s in your water.
The quality of water will vary from city to city and state to state, even one year to the next. Assuming that the water you are using is fine for cultivating cannabis without testing it first could result in disappointing yields, unhealthy plants, and even crop death. Cannabis plants like a pH range of between 5.8 and 6.2 so checking the pH is also important. FIXANYWATER can provide the precise testing needed to ensure your crops have the best water available.
How to Filter for Cannabis
There are several ways to completely remove or reduce the amount of TDS in your water. By purifying or filtering your water, you can effectively eliminate bacteria, parasites and viruses, organic and inorganic chemicals, heavy metals, gasses, and other contaminants.
Reverse osmosis is one way to remove contaminants from water. This type of system can have multiple stages.
- Sediment filter: Removes dust, dirt, and rust.
- Carbon filter: Removes or reduces organic compounds like chlorine and other elements that can give water a bad taste or odor.
- Semi-permeable membrane: Removes up to 98% of the remaining dissolved solid like minerals and metals.
Deionization is another choice. This process works by using ion-exchange resins that bind to the impurities and filters them. This type of purification produces high-purity water and is relatively quick but does not remove bacteria or viruses effectively.
Bacteria Choices
There are two main solutions for bacteria in your water. Ultraviolet Disinfection, which works by ripping apart the DNA of the bacteria, or Quantum Disinfection, which works by taking the electrons from the bacteria present in the water source, making them implode and disappear.
Even rainwater needs to be checked as it can contain impurities from the air or containers that it ran through or was stored in. Rainwaters pH can vary greatly, so make sure it is checked regularly. All containers and collecting devices must be cleaned regularly.
Quality of water can change greatly so it’s important that you request a water test every few months. FIXANYWATER has great experience with growers and manufacturing in this field. Even though cannabis uses some of the elements found in water, it’s essential you know the amount in it as opposed to how much of those elements it actually needs. The more impurities it contains, the less “good” nutrients your plant will absorb. Good water equals good growth. Happy growth equals happy sales!
