PH, EC & Nutrients Explained for Beginners

Healthy cannabis plants don’t need more nutrients.

They need balance.

If you understand pH and EC, you eliminate most beginner problems immediately.

What Is pH?

pH measures how acidic or alkaline your water or soil is.

Cannabis prefers:

  • Soil: 6.0–6.5

  • Hydro: 5.5–6.0

If pH drifts outside this range, nutrients become unavailable. This is called nutrient lockout.

Even perfect feeding won’t work if pH is wrong.

If you want a full overview of cultivation fundamentals, read our complete guide to growing high-quality cannabis in Australia.

What Is EC?

EC (Electrical Conductivity) measures nutrient strength in your solution.

  • Too low → slow growth

  • Too high → nutrient burn

Seedlings require very low EC. Flowering plants tolerate higher levels.

Feeding must match the plant’s stage.

Common Beginner Mistakes

  • Overfeeding

  • Ignoring pH

  • Not adjusting nutrients during flower

  • Adding supplements too early

Precision feeding builds dense, healthy plants.

Balance beats excess every time.

🌱 Ready to Grow Premium Genetics?

High-quality harvests start with high-quality seeds. Explore our collection of carefully selected cannabis genetics trusted by growers across Australia.

About Seeds Please

At Seeds Please, we’re passionate about reconnecting people with the natural roots of cannabis. We believe knowledge and cultivation should be shared — not gatekept. Our goal is to make high-quality seeds and honest information accessible to everyone, helping growers build a deeper connection to the plant and the community around it. Cannabis is part of nature’s design, and we’re here to help you grow with it — responsibly, sustainably, and with curiosity.