What are the common types of growing media?
Plant growing media are divided into organic media and inorganic media. They need to be formulated and produced according to a certain recipe and process first, and can provide artificial soil with excellent water, fertilizer, air and heat conditions for seed germination and plant growth. Different types of media suit different types of plant growth, so what types of growing media are there? Let's take a look together!
1. Perlite
Perlite is formed by siliceous volcanic material expanding when burned at 1200°C. It is white. It is granular and can hold 3 to 4 times its own weight in water, drains easily and allows good aeration, and is chemically stable. It contains oxides such as silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, manganese and potassium. It breaks easily, so it is generally mixed with organic matter such as peat.
2. Rock wool
Rock wool is white or light green. It has strong water absorption, is light in weight and easy to carry; its physical and chemical properties are stable; it is synthesized at high temperature and carries no pathogens; it has strong water absorption and provides sufficient water; its water tension is low, so roots rot easily.
3. Volcanic rock
It is formed by the solidification of lava from volcanic eruptions, generally grayish brown or reddish brown, a porous honeycomb-like blocky material, like slag, used after being crushed. Volcanic rock does not break easily and has good structure, but poor water-holding capacity. It is often mixed with sand.
4. Sand
Sand has a high bulk density, making it inconvenient to move and to replace the medium; it has poor water retention and drains and aerates easily, but it is not good for retaining water and fertilizer, and its buffering capacity is poor. It places strict demands on the nutrient solution formula, the amount of solution applied and the number of applications, and management is troublesome; the solution should be applied in small amounts and many times. This medium does not affect the concentration balance of the nutrient solution, and disinfection is easy.
5. Peat
Also called peat moss, it comes from the decomposed remains of sphagnum moss, gray moss, sedges and other aquatic plants. Peat is fine in texture, has strong water-holding capacity, has good aeration, is rich in organic matter, and has a fairly strong buffering capacity. Peat is mostly used mixed with other media.
6. Coconut coir
A powder of coconut shell fiber, it is currently a very popular organic medium in the world. Coconut coir has strong aeration and water-holding capacity; even when dry, its soft fibers will not damage the root system. Coconut coir also contains certain hormones that can promote root growth and has an inhibitory effect on root diseases. When mixed with peat, it expands after absorbing water.
7. Mushroom residue
Edible fungus growing material with cottonseed hulls as the main component is discarded after growing mushrooms, and can be used as a soilless cultivation medium. It must be disinfected before use. If it is needed urgently, it can also be crushed with tools or machinery and then sieved.
That is all for the introduction to the types of growing media. If everyone wants to grow different agricultural products, they can choose suitable growing media. It is generally recommended to use organic and inorganic media together.
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