Since soil is not employed in hydroponic systems other substrates are required for flowers, herbs or vegetables to develop and provide an anchor for their root system. These growing mediums need to be inert so that they do not have an effect on the nutrients in the water solution. These mediums should also be pH neutral, have great fluid retention yet have capacity for air circulation and certainly be resistant enough to retain and support the plant. There are numerous kinds of mediums within the marketplace and the one that you employ will be determined by the types of fruits and vegetables you are wanting to cultivate. Just about any hydroponic retailers will be likely to recommend what substrates to employ, however I have provided an outline of the most popular substrates used in hydroponic methods.
Perlite
Is a kind of volcanic rock comprised of silica and commonly created by hydration of obsidian. There are different sizes subject to what you are growing. It is typically employed to grow cuttings in, and subsequently when the plants have grown to a particular size they may require another substrate to grow in based on the sort of hydroponic method you are employing.
Is a kind of volcanic rock comprised of silica and commonly created by hydration of obsidian. There are different sizes subject to what you are growing. It is typically employed to grow cuttings in, and subsequently when the plants have grown to a particular size they may require another substrate to grow in based on the sort of hydroponic method you are employing.
Advantages
• Minimal price and low density material.
• Features good water retaining properties fantastic for potted plants.
• Features great drainage qualities and combines well with denser substrates.
• Ideal for establishing cuttings or seeds within it.
• Minimal price and low density material.
• Features good water retaining properties fantastic for potted plants.
• Features great drainage qualities and combines well with denser substrates.
• Ideal for establishing cuttings or seeds within it.
Disadvantages
• Not suitable for ebb and flow systems as due to its low weight it can shift or drift away during the flow periods.
• Not good for larger, weightier plants as it is unable to support and anchor plants roots properly.
• Not suitable for ebb and flow systems as due to its low weight it can shift or drift away during the flow periods.
• Not good for larger, weightier plants as it is unable to support and anchor plants roots properly.
Coconut Coir / Coco / Palm Peat
As the name suggests Coco is a product of coconuts, with all the outer shell of the coconut getting used after the coconut fruit has been taken out. It is treated to produce a kind of peat that is generally sold in brick shape. It is a good addition to hydroponic systems as it expands when water is added with about 6-8 times its initial size. It is robust enough for bigger plants and can last a lot longer than classic peat. Also it can be used as a form of soil even though it does not have any vitamins and minerals that soil has, yet it does provide you with a good structure in which crops can generate roots.
As the name suggests Coco is a product of coconuts, with all the outer shell of the coconut getting used after the coconut fruit has been taken out. It is treated to produce a kind of peat that is generally sold in brick shape. It is a good addition to hydroponic systems as it expands when water is added with about 6-8 times its initial size. It is robust enough for bigger plants and can last a lot longer than classic peat. Also it can be used as a form of soil even though it does not have any vitamins and minerals that soil has, yet it does provide you with a good structure in which crops can generate roots.
Advantages
• Excellent water retention yet allows air to move to the plants.
• Inexpensive environmentally friendly source hence kind to the pocket and to the planet.
• Can be combined well with different substrates for example perlite to improve drainage of water.
• Has natural anti-fungal qualities which aid to minimize flaws in plants.
• Has similar attributes to regular soil.
• Excellent water retention yet allows air to move to the plants.
• Inexpensive environmentally friendly source hence kind to the pocket and to the planet.
• Can be combined well with different substrates for example perlite to improve drainage of water.
• Has natural anti-fungal qualities which aid to minimize flaws in plants.
• Has similar attributes to regular soil.
Disadvantages
• As mentioned above drainage will not be as good as some other mediums yet can be combined to reduce this problem.
• Can only be used a small number of times, however if you are altering your plant type in the hydroponic system it is a good idea to change your growing substrate also.
• Not completely successful in ebb and flow systems as some of the product can be washed away during the flow cycles. Yet is suitable for drip systems.
• As mentioned above drainage will not be as good as some other mediums yet can be combined to reduce this problem.
• Can only be used a small number of times, however if you are altering your plant type in the hydroponic system it is a good idea to change your growing substrate also.
• Not completely successful in ebb and flow systems as some of the product can be washed away during the flow cycles. Yet is suitable for drip systems.
Clay Balls / Leca
These are small balls made out of clay that have been fired to maintain their form. They provide no nutrient value, are inert and have a neutral pH reading. These are perfect qualities to have in a medium as they do not restrict the nutrients added to the system. Due to these properties they are extremely popular with hydroponic growers.
These are small balls made out of clay that have been fired to maintain their form. They provide no nutrient value, are inert and have a neutral pH reading. These are perfect qualities to have in a medium as they do not restrict the nutrients added to the system. Due to these properties they are extremely popular with hydroponic growers.
Advantages
• Can be acquired in a variety of sizes so are appropriate for larger denser plants to supply good foundation of roots.
• Can be washed and recycled using white vinegar, chlorine or hydrogen peroxide solutions. Numerous hydroponic suppliers have washing solutions in store. Yet they need to be totally rinsed after washing or this can affect the plants in the next grow.
• Inexpensive to buy and make from a natural occurring material.
• Have superb drainage properties.
• Light to use but won't float away so can be used in ebb and flow systems.
• Holds moisture well.
• Can be blended with other mediums to improve drainage such as coco.
• Can be acquired in a variety of sizes so are appropriate for larger denser plants to supply good foundation of roots.
• Can be washed and recycled using white vinegar, chlorine or hydrogen peroxide solutions. Numerous hydroponic suppliers have washing solutions in store. Yet they need to be totally rinsed after washing or this can affect the plants in the next grow.
• Inexpensive to buy and make from a natural occurring material.
• Have superb drainage properties.
• Light to use but won't float away so can be used in ebb and flow systems.
• Holds moisture well.
• Can be blended with other mediums to improve drainage such as coco.
Disadvantages
• Despite the fact that they can be washed it not always advised as root growth can penetrate the clay balls. This can be evident upon breaking open the balls after use. This root development could impact future hydroponic grows.
• Does not keep moisture as well as coco peat but as mentioned above this can be reduced by mixing the two mediums.
• Despite the fact that they can be washed it not always advised as root growth can penetrate the clay balls. This can be evident upon breaking open the balls after use. This root development could impact future hydroponic grows.
• Does not keep moisture as well as coco peat but as mentioned above this can be reduced by mixing the two mediums.
Rock wool
Rock wool is also a favorite medium amongst hydroponic growers. It is a man-made product comprised of rock that has been separated into its mineral compounds and then spun to produce rock fibres. It is typically bought in brick or slab form and has a texture similar to those of fibreglass. It is typically used in small cubes to grow seeds or cuttings and enables the new roots to attach securely onto the medium.
Rock wool is also a favorite medium amongst hydroponic growers. It is a man-made product comprised of rock that has been separated into its mineral compounds and then spun to produce rock fibres. It is typically bought in brick or slab form and has a texture similar to those of fibreglass. It is typically used in small cubes to grow seeds or cuttings and enables the new roots to attach securely onto the medium.
Advantages
• Correctly treated and produced rock wool will be inert and therefore should not interact with other nutrients added to the hydroponic system.
• Proficient at retaining water essential for plant growth.
• Good drainage benefits.
• Easy for plants to take up nutrients and even provides some air circulation.
• Holds structure over extended amounts of time.
• Can be reused if washed however this is not typically advised.
• Correctly treated and produced rock wool will be inert and therefore should not interact with other nutrients added to the hydroponic system.
• Proficient at retaining water essential for plant growth.
• Good drainage benefits.
• Easy for plants to take up nutrients and even provides some air circulation.
• Holds structure over extended amounts of time.
• Can be reused if washed however this is not typically advised.
Disadvantages
• Some lower quality rock wools are created from slag which can have a greater metal content. This can affect the pH of the wool and as a result impact on the nutrient absorption by the plant.
• It is a man-made material and as a result not as environmentally friendly as other substrates. It is more difficult to destroy and if placed and buried in land fill will not break down for long periods of time.
• As it has similar properties to fibre glass it can be carcinogenic, as the fibres can get into the lungs and might produce problems. It is recommended that you use a mask when originally setting up the rock wool within your system. The inclusion of water will decrease the fibre problem as they will be not as likely to become airborne.
• Some lower quality rock wools are created from slag which can have a greater metal content. This can affect the pH of the wool and as a result impact on the nutrient absorption by the plant.
• It is a man-made material and as a result not as environmentally friendly as other substrates. It is more difficult to destroy and if placed and buried in land fill will not break down for long periods of time.
• As it has similar properties to fibre glass it can be carcinogenic, as the fibres can get into the lungs and might produce problems. It is recommended that you use a mask when originally setting up the rock wool within your system. The inclusion of water will decrease the fibre problem as they will be not as likely to become airborne.
Sarah has gathered her knowledge in the use of hydroponics through starting as a hobbyist. She has cultivated numerous different plants and vegetables at her house and has now branched out into hydroponic supplies in the style of a website and store. For hydroponics supplies within the UK visit hydroponic equipment and nutrients based in Yorkshire or online please visit Hydroponics UK or if you would like to visit a yorkshire based store please visit Hydroponics Yorkshire
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Pick
No comments:
Post a Comment