The Best Hydroponics Growing Mediums
If you're involved with hydroponic gardening in any form no doubt you are familiar with growing mediums. Growing mediums are a soil replacement and are used to hold down plants and any nutrients added. If you are not familiar with growing mediums or are not sure which type to go with, then read on because below are details on the two best hydroponic growing mediums.
Rockwool
Perhaps the most popular of all hydroponic growing mediums is Rockwool, which is made from a combination of rock and sand. It is melted and then spun into various shapes like cubes, slabs and blocks.
There are many advantages with using Rockwool over other types of growing mediums. The major benefit however is that most other types can not hold the amount of water that Rockwool can, which in the case of a pump failure would be a great help. Rockwool also holds more air than most other types are able to. What this provides is extra oxygen to the root system, which enhances root growth. The additional air also means that it's practically impossible to over water this growing medium.
Although Rockwool is an extremely effective growing medium for hydroponic gardening, there are some issues you should know about. Rockwool has a high pH level so you will need to lower the pH level of your nutrient solution so the overall figure is more neutral. Your Rockwool will also need to be soaked for 24 hrs before using it; this is not necessary with most other types of growing mediums.
Rockwool also has some environmental issues. It's difficult to dispose of as it will not deteriorate over time, and you will also need to wear a mask when handling Rockwool as breathing in the dust and fibers are unhealthy for your lungs.
Coconut Fiber
Fast becoming the most popular hydroponic growing mediums and is believed to replace Rockwool at some stage. Coconut fiber is the first ever totally natural growing medium and boasts some impressive unique advantages.
Coconut fiber can be found in the form of shredded fibers, pellets, cubes and blocks.
What's interesting about coconut fiber is the fact that it's essentially a waste product of the coconut production process. Therefore it isn't really a difficult substance for manufacturers to obtain.
Some of the advantages that Rockwool has had for a long time are not as compelling as coconut fibers goes one extra step provides more oxygen and has a superior water holding capacity.
Due to coconut fiber being completely natural, it's nowhere near harmful to the environment (and your health) than rockwool or other types of growing medium.
Another advantage of coconut fiber is that it has high amounts of root-stimulating hormones, which provides extra protection towards root diseases.
The main reason why coconut fiber is so effective in helping plants grow, is because the actual purpose of it is to provide the coconut with the best medium for the root to flourish in - so all it's really doing is performing its natural purpose.
Although coconut fiber is the best growing medium available, be vigilant when buying, as there are cheaper coconut products that are nowhere near as effective as the quality coconut fiber products.