Help With Hydroponic Growing Mediums

Plants typically grow in a growing medium known as soil or dirt, but this is not the case with hydroponic gardening. With hydroponics, plants grow without soil. They can be planted in hydroponic growing mediums that are soil-free, and plants are fed through the use of plant nutrient, another name for plant fertilizer. Water is used to carry the nutrient to the plant's roots, where they take it up. There are several different types of hydroponic growing mediums, so a quick overview of your options is in order.

For hydroponic gardeners, there are several hydroponic growing mediums that you can try. Coconut coir is a good product to use. It comes in a brick form that, when water is applied, expands to five times its original size. Coir can be mixed with other hydroponic growing mediums, and can be used in indoor and outdoor gardening applications. Rock wool is another medium that originates from mineral compounds that are molten, resulting in a reusable product that allows the roots to have better access to oxygen than other types of hydroponic growing mediums.

For traditional plantings where having quality soil is important, such as container gardening, gardening in raised beds or hanging baskets, you might want to try Foxfarm Ocean Forest, which is an organic potting soil mix. Because Foxfarm Ocean Forest is organic, it is perfect to use to grow organic fruits and vegetables in containers or as an amendment to your existing garden soil. Featuring a light texture that is well aerated, Foxfarm Ocean Forest's ingredients include micronutrients, bat guano and earthworm castings.

Another excellent choice for use with plants grown in soil is made by Botanicare. Two options are Botanicare Soil known as Hydroplex, and Pure Blend Pro Botanicare Soil. Hydroplex Botanicare Soil contains no nitrogen in favor of phosphorus and potassium, and this is a great choice for use in gardens containing clay soil because they tend to be low in phosphorus and potassium, necessary for flower, fruit and root formation as well as disease resistance. Pure Blend Pro was made for container gardening, and contains plant nutrients that will enhance vegetable and flower formation.

Another option is to grow your plants in Hydroton grow
rocks. Hydroton grow rocks are made out of clay, and they offer a clean and odorless solution for soil gardening. Hydroton grow rocks offer several advantages in plant growth, including a reduction in root rot and better root aeration, reduction in acidity as well as soil pests that can devastate traditional crops. The clay helps the soil to store water as well.

Hydroponic products, including growing mediums, can be found through better online hydroponic discount gardening suppliers.

From years of indoor and hydroponic gardening, Susan Slobac has developed an in-depth knowledge of hydroponic growing mediums.