Hydroponics is growing in popularity among gardeners who create gardens for pleasure. The great attraction of hydroponic growing is that it is the practice of growing plants without the conventional growing medium, videlicet garden soil.
For gardeners this progressive growing method means that having poor calibre soil or no soil at all is no impediment to creating wonderful flower or vegetable gardens. All that is needed for hydroponic success is a well-lit and airy space and access to clean water. All the hydroponic nutrients and trace elements are acquirable from specialist stores.
Without soil one more item is required, videlicet a growing medium.
What purposes does a growing medium serve?
A good plant growing medium fulfils two important functions.
Firstly, it provides a place for the plant to anchor itself so that is can stand upright. Secondly, it provides a means for water, air and nutrients to reach the plants’ roots. This is why heavy clay is generally an unsuitable growing medium. Air, water and nutrients can't reach the roots of plants if the growing medium is too dense, and the roots can't grow and spread in search of sustenance.
What growing mediums are available
There are several kinds of commercial growing mediums acquirable to replace conventional soil. The following mediums fulfil the roles of providing a good place for plants to anchor themselves and also are loose enough for water, air and nutrients to reach the roots of plants easily. These are:
- wood fibre
- vermiculite
- coco coir
- rock wool
- pumice
- gravel
- brick shards
- sand
- polystyrene“peanuts”
- perlite
These growing mediums are acquirable in a loose form but some, such as coco coir, are also compacted for simple transportation. However, when unpacked they become loose and suitable as growing mediums.
The choice of growing medium depends to an extent on the type of plants you intend to grow. Ask your local hydroponics expert, or an online gardening consultant, for advice regarding the correct medium for your purpose.