Step 1

• Irrigate your crop
• Make sure you get thorough and complete hydration
• Wait approximately one hour before proceeding with pourthru to allow adequate time for equilibration

Step 2

• Place a saucer under each container to be tested
• We find that the inexpensive clear plastic pot saucers are good choices

Step 3

• For the pourthru, use distilled water
• You can use the water from the grocery store
  • Be sure it is distilled and not just drinking water
• The amount you use depends on the volume of the container
  • Use enough to get ~50 ml (milliliters) out of the bottom of the container

Step 4

• Pour the water evenly over the top of the container
• Remember the water is used to displace the solution in the container

Step 5

• Let the container drain completely
• Time will vary with container size but it should be completed in a few minutes

Step 6

• Pour the solution into cups or beakers for measurement
• We find small plastic beakers are best so you can determine the actual amount of water drained
• Variability in water applied and drained can lead to inconclusive results

Step 7

• 50 ml is adequate for testing in the grenhouse
• This amount is also adequate for sending to diagnostic labs for nutritional analysis

Step 8

• Measure pH
• Be sure to calibrate the pH pen or probe before use
• Record value on pH graph

Step 9

• Measure soluble salts
• Be sure to calibrate the EC pen or probe before use
• Record value on EC graph

Step 10

• Check values on pH and EC tables and take appropriate actions

Charts and Guides