Hydroponics Growing Media
The science of growing plants with hydroponics requires not only the right growing solutions and light but it also requires the correct type of hydroponics growing media. Hydroponics growing media is soil substitute that will be used to ground your plants or seeds in. There are all types of growing media that can be used in hydroponics, some are best for seedlings and plant cuttings and others are best used for plants that have already made their start. The best way to choose your growing media is to educate yourself on what your particular types of plants are in need of.
The many types of growing media can range from rock wool to clay pebbles with many other varieties in between. One of the most popular types of growing media is expanded clay or clay pebbles. These are small, usually round, baked pieces of clay that are very rich in the nutrients that many plants need to flourish out of soil. Clay pebbles are a type of media that should not be reused even when washed with controlled water the nutrients will expire and can be contaminated after initial use.
Another type of growing media for hydroponic grown plants is rock wool. Rock wool is the most popular and most used hydroponic growing media around. Rock wool can come in cubes, blocks or slabs depending on the amount and size you need making the purchase of rock wool a bit more convenient than other types of growing media. While it is the most popular and widely used growing media it is important to know how to use this growing media as the inhalation of dry rock wool can be harmful and it can cause a higher ph level in your plants if the right precautions and growing conditions are not set.
Perlite is another type of popular growing media that is composed of volcanic rock that has been heated into glass stones. The positive effects of using perlite are partly due to the fact that it carries the ability to hold more air for your plants than other growing media types. As we all know, novice gardener or not, air, light and the nutrients from water are going to be the most important part of growth and nutrition for your plants.
Keep in mind that these are only a few of the growing media available to you and that picking the right media to grow your plants in is going to be a key factor in your hydroponic growing experiences. If you are not choosing the right media you will not be getting the best, healthiest plants you can grow. Because of the education required for picking the right hydroponic growing media it is a good idea to research the best growing environment for your plants either through the World Wide Web or through speaking with an experienced hydroponic grower, gardener or farmer.
