There is a great amount of soil less mixtures available,
which contain different ingredients. Sphagnum moss, perlite, and vermiculite
are the most widely spread hydroponics components, used in such mixtures.
Being organic, soil less growing media are usually used for
container gardening wick systems or on-recovery drip systems. It is also
possible to use soil less mixtures in recovery systems, however, it is
necessary to remember that because of very fine particles in such mixtures, they
can clog tubes, pumps and drip emitters, when used without a good filtration
system. By the way, according to the urban gardeners, one can use panty hose as
a filter: just fit it to the return line and to the pump inlet, and all the
tiny particles will be filtered out.
Most soil less mixes form a good growing medium for multiple
hydroponic and organic gardens, because they can hold water well, have great
wicking action, and, at the same time, they provide a reasonable amount of air
to the roots of growing plants.
Coconut Fiber
The popularity of coconut fiber as growing medium increases
rapidly around the world. Being the first totally organic growing medium,
providing highest performance for hydroponic systems, coconut fiber may soon
become the most popular growing medium ever. It is interesting to note that
coconut fiber is, actually, a waste product, which contains the powdered husks
of coconuts.
In comparison to rockwool, coconut fiber is characterized
with higher oxygen capacity and water retaining. These features are important
advantages for hydroponic systems with intermittent watering cycles.
Coconut fiber also contains a lot of root stimulating
hormones, thus offering some protection against fungus infestation and other
root diseases. The mixture of 50% coconut fiber and 50% expanded clay pellets
is considered to be the perfect growing medium.
However, it is necessary to
underline one precaution when buying coconut fiber. Avoid purchasing a low-grade
coconut fiber, which is very fine grained and contains a high level of
sea-salts. Such coconut fiber will have negative and disappointing effect on
hydroponic system.