The ideal growing medium
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The Ideal Growing Medium for Hydroponics

The ideal growing medium

The ideal growing medium for Hydroponics are, as follows.

  • moss
  • coco
  • perlite
  • hardened expanded clay
  • vermiculite
  • rockwool
  • neoprene discs

Are some of the non-organic mediums or non-mineral soils, used in hydroponics.

What is the difference between soil and soilless medium?

The difference between soil and non-soil mediums is their ability to hold water and oxygen, and their ability to hold onto nutrient ions and supply them to the plant roots as the plants call for them.

When growing plants in soil(s), it’s usually be grown either in containers or out in the field. Realistically, the best setting for growing in a soil-based medium is outdoors. Soilless growing conserves water, it conserves land, and requires less pesticides that increase a farm’s risk of runoff.

CEC

Cation exchange capacity, is the ability of a growing medium to hold nutrients on call, for the roots to uptake. The CEC of each medium will affect the pH, for maximum nutrient uptake.

Regular dirt soils with their particle charges electrically hold nutrients readily available for the roots. They have high CECs between 100-200 equivalent units. Vermiculite and peat moss mixes have CECs of 50-60 equivalent units. Rockwool, perlite, and water cultures have a CEC of 0 they do not hold nutrients on call for the roots to uptake.
So, when the nutrients are introduced into the medium, it will just passed by. Because nothing will or can hold them for the roots. And It also means that these mediums have no buffering effect.