Monthly Archives: March 2010

Hydroponics gardening guide -introduction to growing mediums and hydroponic supplies used in hydroponics

Growing medium is any medium, in which a plant can grow. Generally, hundreds of multiple types of growing medium exist: some are manmade and some are organic. Sometimes, even old AIR can work as a good growing medium for roots.

 

Defining the best growing medium is pretty challenging and disputable. It is a matter of personal likes, preferences and exact growing needs or requirements in most cases. It is like choosing a car: everyone picks the one, which suits his/her personal likes and requirements: someone chooses a small economic car for city traffic, and someone prefers powerful SUV to conquer sand and morass. Just like choosing a car depends on many factors, while choosing a growing medium it is also necessary to consider many variables, for example, what type of system is used, what plants you are going to grow and under what environmental conditions. Though there are a great variety of factors to consider while choosing a particular growing medium, it often comes to price, availability and personal preferences. 

The most common types of growing mediums as well the description of their key advantages, disadvantages, their basic characteristics and tips on general use are specified below.

 

Oasis cubes

 Expanded Clay Pellets

 Rockwool

 

Coconut Fiber

 Sand

 Gravel

 

Perlite

 Sphagnum Moss

 Water

 

Vermiculite

 Fiberglass Insulation

 Saw Dust

 

Soilless Mix(s)

 Air

 Lava Rock

Oasis cubes

Oasis cubes are lightweight cubes, which serves the best for plants propagation from seeds or cuttings. Pre-formed oasis cubes are commonly used by hydroponic gardeners. This type of growing medium features neutral pH level and can hold water very well.

Since oasis cubes are usually used at the first stages of plant growth, they are usually not larger than 2” x 2” inches in size. It is very easy to transplant such cubes into any type of hydroponic system, growing medium or even into the soil. 

About the Author

My name is guy. I am the founder and owner of the urbangardenershop.com.au . I fell in love with hydroponics gardening. As time went by I gathered a vast knowledge base and 2 years ago I decided to find a way to make hydroponics gardening a hobby that anyone can peruse. I added a hydroponic gardening information center to our hydroponic supplies site that offers a large range of hydroponics articles. Thank you for your interest and feel free to ask questions on hydroponics gardening in our site

http://www.urbangardenershop.com.au/

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Growing a Moss Garden

8QT Hortic Vermiculite $4.95 8 QT, Vermiculite, An Efficient & Popular Soil Conditioner, Loosens Soil, Provides Aeration, Retains Water, Can Be Used To Start Seeds, Propogate Cuttings, & Store Bulbs, Blend With Peat Moss & Perlite For A Custom Soilless Mix….

200 Count- Jiffy 7 Peat Soil Pellets Seeds Starting Plugs: Indoor Seed Starter- Start Planting Indoors for Transplanting to Garden or Planter Pot $20.99 The Jiffy-7 pellet is made from sphagnum peat from specially selected peat bogs. Lime and a special fertilizer with a low ammonium content are added to the peat in order to stimulate growth. The pellets have a pH of approximately 5.3 and are wrapped in a thin, degradable net. Ideal for starting your seeds indoors! Just put a few seeds in each pellet and add water. Each pellet has its own compartme…

Luster Leaf Long Fiber Sphagnum Moss – 432 Cubic Inches 1420 $3.96 Sphagnum Moss Traditional English Elegance Excellent water retention making it great for lining baskets and planters of all kinds! Economical Bag includes 432 cubic inches of Moss! Ships Quickly!…

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Luster Leaf Spanish Moss – 350 Cubic Inches 1220 $4.09 Spanish Moss Decorative & Multi-Functional Attractive cover for the base of dried silk arrangements, terrariums, bonsai, and dish gardens. It is also great for crafts! Bag includes 350 cubic inches of Moss Ships Quickly!…

Bayer 704710B 2-in-1 Moss & Algae Killer Ready-to-Spray – 32 oz. $15.66 32 oz.- ready to spray. Kills moss and algae on lawns- decks- patios- fences- mulch- driveways- gravel plus roofs and buildings. Also controls lichen. Unique- high efficacy formula kills within hours. No odor- non-staining formula. Covers up to 500sq. ft. of turf….

Triple Moss Curled Parsley Seeds – Petroselinum Crispum – 0.5 Grams – Approx 50 Gardening Seeds – Vegetable Garden Seed $2.39 The Triple Moss Curled variety of parsley is a very dark green with beautiful curls and cuts. Triple Moss Curled is better suited for decorative uses such as garnishes. The plant is heat tolerant….

The Original MuckBoots Unisex Edgewater Camp Shoe $79.95 The Edgewater Camp Shoe features breathable airmesh lining, a flex-foam bootie, 4-way stretch nylon, and a natural rubber upper overlay. This camping shoe is also 100% waterproof, lightweight, and flexible. Comes in Men’s sizes: 4-14. MPN: EWC-333T….

Lawn Grips 4001-6-5 Womens Garden Grip Clogs – Size 6 1/2 – Moss $43.95 Rubber overtoe to resist water and scuffing.Water and stain-resistant full grain leather uppers. Patented Grip-N-Go outsole for traction even on wet grass. Tough butyl rubber sole that holds up to shovel work. Note on sizing: For the most comfortable fit, please order 1/2 size larger than your normal shoe size. Patented Grip N Go Sole for superb traction even on wet grass and uneven surfaces Solid…

GardenGrips Women’s Clog The GardenGrips Clog has a rubber overtoe to resist water and scuffing and water and stain-resistant full leather uppers. The patented Grip-N-Go outsole offers traction even on wet grass and it has a tough butyl rubber sole that holds up to shovel work….