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Grow Media Guide
Volume 1
by Jason Mispagel , contributing writer
Jason Mispagel is the co-owner and operator of Year-Round Garden , a grower ’ s supply center serving both home and commercial customers since 2016 . His extensive growing experience in hydroponics and soil dates to the early days of legalization in Colorado , where he served as one of the state ’ s early caregivers . Year-Round Garden . 1225 W 103rd St , Kansas City , MO . 816.216.6917 – FB : yrroundgarden ● IG : @ yrroundgarden
One of my favorite attributes of cannabis , from a grower ’ s perspective , is its ability to thrive under a wide variety of cultivation techniques . For those with limited resources , that could mean the ability to produce their own medicine without spending exorbitant sums of money and repurposing readily available items found around the house . For those with unlimited resources , that could mean maximizing yields and creating an absolutely optimal environment . But no matter who you are , it means an opportunity for learning , experimentation , and personal development as we continue in constant pursuit of growing the best cannabis possible .
Choosing a grow media provides exactly such an opportunity . It ’ s a decision every grower must make ― from the first-timer to the experienced Director of Cultivation at a licensed facility . It ’ s also a decision that can change over time , allowing us to experiment with different methodologies . Even when we have success with a certain media we ’ ve used for a decade , we aren ’ t locked into it for life ! Trying a different media may provide slightly different results ( for better or worse ), but it can also be a source of entertainment — a fun challenge . Regardless of whether you ’ re considering switching things up or preparing for your maiden grow voyage , it ’ s important to know your available options .
“ Grow media ,” is by definition , simply material in which plants are grown . It ’ s the plural version of the term “ grow medium .” Grow media may contain nutritional content , as in soil , or it may be nutritionally neutral and act solely to hold roots in place . Volume 1 of our Grow Media Guidebook focuses on the latter — grow media typically deployed in hydroponic setups . We ’ ll break these into three main categories : 1 . Cubes , Blocks , and Plugs 2 . Pebbles , Stones , and Rocks 3 . Fine Material
Any of these may also be mixed into soil blends , but that ’ s a topic for Volume 2 in next month ’ s edition of The EVOLUTION Magazine .
Cubes , Blocks , and Plugs
Everything in this category is one-and-done , meaning it can ’ t be reused . Once roots have expanded into the media , there ’ s no way to remove them . As roots grow beyond the media , they require regular application of water or nutrient solution , as does the media itself because it tends to dry out quickly and has a limited capacity to retain fertilizer . Additionally , while each of these products can hold a plant through its entire lifecycle , they are also viable seed or clone starters if the intent is to transplant into different media at some point in the future . Suitable for use in the following systems :
● Nutrient Film Technique
● Deep Water Culture
● Ebb and Flow
● Aeroponics
Rockwool is melted rock spun into long , thin fibers and then pressed into cubes or chunks . Sizes vary from one-inch starter
32 February 2023