In horticulture, a growing medium is the environment in which plant roots grow.

Active or inert, fertilized or neutral, growing substrates range from traditional potting mixes, to horticultural substrates widely used in hydroponics, such as expanded clay balls, coconut fibre, coconut fibre, and rock woolThe sphagnumperlite, vermiculite, ..

For indoor growing to be successful in terms of productivity and quality, it is essential to select a substrate in relation to the grower's needs and, above all, to have a good understanding of the intrinsic properties of the growing medium adopted. Indeed, the nutritional contributions must take into account the level of fertilization of the previously chosen substrate but also its drainage capacity, its water and nutrient retention capacities.

From then on, Indoor Discount has been able to select the best brands in Europe, specialized in the design of high quality culture substrates, such as Platinium, Biobizz, Plagron, Gold Label, Atami, Canna...BioCanna, BioNova, Or Brun, …

Indoor Discount lists all the most popular quality substrates in its category: Pots & Substrates.

Which substrate should be selected?

The choice of growing medium varies according to the expectations of the modern grower and his level of experience and knowledge of indoor horticulture. Initially, a hydroponic substrate qualifies all inert, sterile, and in particular nutrient-free growing media, which by default require regular and progressive nutritional monitoring. From then on, the acquisition of an EC tester and a pH tester, well maintained and monthly calibrated, allow a monitoring of the nutrition administered, practical, fast and saving on productivity. Also referred to as mineral substrates, all hydroponic substrates provide superior productivity compared to more traditional growing media, such as crops grown on complete potting soil mixtures.

Secondly, crops grown on complete potting soil mixtures and/or coconut fibre, guarantee more tasty crops with a deeper taste. This superior quality is achieved because of the mycorrhizae (Monster X from Platinium Nutrients) and various trichoderms (Invasion T of Platinium Nutrients), beneficial bacteria populating organic substrates.

In the same way, the watering cycles and the fertilizer & stimulator inputs are to be considered and developed in relation to the fertilization (or its absence) of the substrate used, but also according to its capacity to retain water and nutrients.

What is a hydroponic growing medium?

In fact, expanded clay beads, coconut fibre, rock wool, sphagnum moss, perlite, vermiculite, ... remain the most popular growing substrates for hydroponics, each with its own advantages and precautions for use.

Due to their sterile nature, hydroponic substrates require nutrient inputs on a regular and progressive basis. For a fully optimized monitoring of nutrients and their assimilation by the roots, EC and pH testers, available in the Measurement & Dosage section, are essential to contribute to the success of a crop grown on any hydroponic substrate.

Recyclable for some from one crop to another and suitable for use, mineral substrates also have undeniable practical aspects. Finally, in addition to the convincing productivity, crops grown on a hydroponic substrate benefit from a real vivacity, clearly visible compared to traditional substrates.

In fact, plants grow faster in a hydroponic substrate during the vegetative phase.

With Indoor DiscountGrow at discount prices!