Eight Common Mediums You May Employ in your Hydroponics Quest

 

Hydroponic gardening is a work of art. Furthermore, it is a science. It requires considerable time and attention, and it also requires using the right materials. However, you have quite a bit of options available to you while you are in the process of constructing a garden such as this.

 

One of the most important aspects of hydroponic gardening is choosing the right growing medium. A growing medium is a substance in which you would add your seeds. In the case of hydroponics, you do not use soil. Instead, you use one or more other materials. A list of eight growing mediums commonly used for hydroponic gardening is as follows:

 

Peat Moss: This material consists of carbonized matter and contains vegetables that have been compressed and partially decomposed. This is one method that helps give plants all the nutrients that they need.

 

Sand: This material holds water well, and is usually combined with other mediums to create an effective hydroponic growing mixture.

 

Gravel: This is a very permeable substance, which allows water to flow freely within it, and it also can provide as protective resources for plants as well. The rocks in gravel are generally non-porous, however, and do not hold nutrients, but nutrients can be captured on the surface of the rocks. If gravel is used in a growing system they should be cleaned beforehand. Any type of rocks can be used.

 

Expanded Clay: This medium is usually used with the drip or ebb-and-flow types of hydroponic growing kits. These are usually purchased in pellet form. They retain water and air as well as perlite does (see perlite below), because they are very porous. In order to process this type of growing material users need to bake it in a very hot oven, so it expands into the form that is used in gardens. Those who use this type of medium need to be aware that it is very dusty, so it will need to be rinsed before added to a hydroponic system.

 

Composted Bark: This is an organic material, and can be used for hydroponic growing systems, especially during seed germination (beginning stages of growth).

 

Oasis (floral arrangement foam)

 

Vermiculite: This material has a high capacity for being able to hold nutritional materials for future use. This material is often mixed one part to five parts of perlite (another common hydroponic medium) or clay. Users need to be aware that it should not be used alone because it breaks down after about a year or so, which could lead to clogging and stagnation.

 

Rockwool: This material is inorganic, and it is also sterile and inert. It is a material made from basalt rock, limestone, and silica. It comes in various sized, in block form, wrapped cubes, or large slabs. This is often the preferred material for commercial growers because it is one of the most lightweight ones to use and it is inexpensive. Additionally, it is safe for immediate use and it has the best water and air holding capabilities. It is also non-toxic. Users need to make sure they wash hands after use, however, because it could cause minor skin irritation.

 

Hydroponic Growing media is usually used for the type of garden rightfully names "media-based garden" versus the "water culture garden". You could consider the media-based one a cross between hydroponics and soil gardening, but it is in some ways quite different. For one, it is normally done indoors, usually in a greenhouse room that is especially made for the types of plants you intend to grow.

 

You can find plenty of information available to you to help you on your hydroponic journey. For instance, you can read other articles just like this one and you can find other print and online reading material dedicated to the subject of hydroponic gardening.