Renew Your pH/EC Meter Calibration Solutions
Spring has arrived and summer is almost
here, which means it’s time to dust off your pH/EC meters to begin monitoring crop
nutrition. If you haven’t used your pH/EC meter since your last cropping season,
now is the time to check your meter. Growers should perform frequent
maintenance such as checking the condition of the batteries, probe (glass bulb
and electrode), and storage solution in the electrode cap. Maintenance of pH
meters are often company and maybe model-specific. One should always read
instruction manuals for to conducting routine maintenance to ensure longevity
and accuracy. Speaking of accuracy, have you checked the date and storage
condition of your calibration solutions or standard? As general rule of thumb,
your pH and EC values are only as good as the last calibration. Therefore, renewing
calibration solution when needed is equally important as performing meter maintenance.
Growers should ensure calibration solutions have not expired. If they have,
take the time to order new solutions. Not sure what solutions to order? Most
often, pH meters will be accompanied with a user’s manual which should outline
which calibration solutions are recommended. Finally, remember that these
solutions are sensitive and should not be stored in the greenhouse, but at room
temperature.
W. Garrett Owen
Assistant Professor of Sustainable Greenhouse and Nursery Systems, The Ohio State UniversityW. Garrett Owen is an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Greenhouse and Nursery Systems in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University. He has an appointment in research, teaching and Extension. His area of expertise is plant nutrition; plant growth regulation; and production problem diagnostics.