Grower: Mohamed Ibrahim
Location: Sh. Goidhoo, Maldives
Growing space: 1,000 sqft greenhouse
Crops & systems:
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Chilli and watermelon in polybags
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Leafy greens in Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
Meet Mohamed Ibrahim, a dedicated grower from Sh. Goidhoo in the Maldives, producing crops in a 1,000 sqft greenhouse. His setup includes chilli and watermelon in polybags, plus hydroponic leafy greens growing in NFT. Like many growers managing multiple systems, nutrient consistency is a key part of keeping plants healthy and performance on track.
The challenge: Measuring nutrients with confidence
Before upgrading to a Bluelab OnePen™, Mohamed used low-quality pH and EC readers and wasn’t sure the numbers were accurate. Keeping records was also a manual process, with readings written down and compared later. With different crops and systems in play, nutrient needs shift from seedlings through to harvest.
At that point, Mohamed was not routinely testing runoff from his polybags. That meant he was missing a valuable check on what was happening at the root zone, and he had less information to guide adjustments.
Mohamed needed a faster, more reliable way to measure pH, EC, and temperature. He also needed a simpler way to track readings by crop so he could learn what works over time.
The turning point: Learning the importance of runoff testing
Mohamed attended a training program run by Prime Fertilizers Maldives, where he learned about the importance of runoff testing. By checking runoff and adjusting feeding based on the results, growers can avoid over- or underfeeding and better meet the crop’s needs.
The training helped Mohamed put this into practice. Instead of focusing solely on the nutrient tank, Mohamed began using runoff checks as part of his routine, which gave him a clearer picture of what his plants were receiving.
“I used low-quality EC and pH pens but wasn’t sure about their accuracy. After the training, I switched to the OnePen™. It’s easy to use, checks both EC and pH at once, and saves time. Managing nutrients is now simpler and easier.” - Mohamed Ibraham
The solution: OnePen™ for fast pH and EC checks
After the training, Mohamed switched to the Bluelab OnePen™, replacing separate tools with a single device that measures both.
He now uses the Bluelab OnePen™ to:
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Check EC and pH at the nutrient tank
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Test runoff from polybags to confirm feeding is on track
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Save time by measuring 3 parameters in one step
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Measure the input nutrient solution for seedling plugs to help protect young plants from nutrient stress.
The result: Simpler nutrient management, less guesswork
With more accurate measurements and runoff testing built into his process, Mohamed now manages nutrients with greater confidence. The Bluelab OnePen™ provides him with quick, reliable data, enabling him to make adjustments that support consistent feeding and healthier crops.
Key Takeaway
Accurate pH and EC measurement is one of the fastest ways to improve nutrient consistency in controlled growing. Runoff checks provide growers with a clearer view of root zone conditions, especially in polybags where nutrient levels can fluctuate over time.
