N VIGATING
THE BIG WORLD OF GROW MEDIA
The options for different types of available grow media out there can be dizzying . There are hundreds of products on the market with all manner of claims about their relative superiority to grow enviable plants . Which one to choose ?
by Chris Bond
All grow media is designed to support healthy plant growth , but how they do it , what they are made of , and how they can affect the plants they are supporting , and nourishing runs the gamut . No matter the type , growing media needs to provide the home , storage , stability , and the basics for the health and benefits to the plants that call their growing media home . Grow media should provide plants with both water retention and good drainage . It should provide the aeration needed for your plants ’ root systems to grow unimpeded and get the air they need to thrive . Ideally , it will also be long lasting and not change its composition much over time . Finally , it should be able to hold nutrients that are introduced so plants can use them as needed . Ultimately , the selection of grow media type will depend on many factors . The type of plants to be grown and their needs , the pH of the irrigation water , the type of system it is going in , preferences , and the budget of the individual grower will all play a role in media selection . Let ’ s look at some the pros and cons of the more common media types .
40 Maximum Yield