Choosing Artificial Soil Media Synonyms: growing media, planting media, soil media, mix more important to choose a reliable supplier that provides consistent quality. The current Cornell Mix 3 - 3. Cubic Ft. Compressed bales of peat moss 2 - 6 cu ft bags of vermiculite 20 pounds dolomitic limestone 6 pounds 11-5-11 fertilizer This makes approximately 1. Cubic yards of soilless mix.
Choosing Artificial Soil Media Synonyms: growing media, planting media, soil media, mix more important to choose a reliable supplier that provides consistent quality. The current Cornell Mix 3 - 3. Cubic Ft. Compressed bales of peat moss 2 - 6 cu ft bags of vermiculite 20 pounds dolomitic limestone 6 pounds 11-5-11 fertilizer This makes approximately 1. Cubic yards of soilless mix.
Choosing Artificial Soil Media Synonyms: growing media, planting media, soil media, mix more important to choose a reliable supplier that provides consistent quality. The current Cornell Mix 3 - 3. Cubic Ft. Compressed bales of peat moss 2 - 6 cu ft bags of vermiculite 20 pounds dolomitic limestone 6 pounds 11-5-11 fertilizer This makes approximately 1. Cubic yards of soilless mix.
Also called culture medium. Bacteriology. a liquid or solidified nutrient material suitable for the cultivation of microorganisms An optical medium is material through which electromagnetic waves propagate surrounding objects, conditions, or influences; or the surrounding environment; "fish require an aqueous medium" the element that is the natural habitat of an organism In horticulture it is short for planting medium Choosing Artificial Soil Media Synonyms: growing media, planting media, soil media, soilless mix, mix More important to choose a reliable supplier that provides consistent quality. Most plants can grow well on a well designed greenhouse mix Use specialized mixes for plugs, and special need crops (e.g. pH & zonal geraniums) Mineral soil is not used as the drainage is too poor in containers less than 12 inches deep. It is also heavier than artificial soil media Physical Properties Blended organic and mineral components that are 10-20% solid and 80-90% pore space. Must provide physical support as well as a hold nutrients, water and provide oxygen to the roots. Should maintain optimal pH range for plant growth. Common components of artificial growing media Organic matter 30-60% Peat moss, bark, coir (coco peat) Inorganic vermiculite, perlite, pumice, expanded polystyrene (foam balls no longer used as they float) The selections are made on what is available and economically viable as good mixes can be made with a variety of components When mixing your own attention to quality of inputs is a must as they can vary (that is why many pay for reputable commercial mix) The current Cornell Mix 3 – 3.8 Cubic Ft. compressed bales of peat moss 2 - 6 cu ft bags of vermiculite 20 pounds dolomitic limestone 6 pounds 11-5-11 fertilizer This makes approximately 1.2 cubic yards of soilless mix. Texture and Use Texture = particle size Coarse → Large Particle Size→ more pore space → More Drainage Fine → Small Particle Size → less pore space → less drainage Use coarse mixes in larger containers and Finer for smaller containers like plugs. Still trying to maximize porosity Container Size and Drainage In addition to porosity of mix the size of the pot will also affect drainage of water The taller the pot the better the drainage. Gravity has a greater influence on a taller column of water than a shorter column – as there is a fight between capillary attraction of the water to the soil particles and gravity. Prepping mixes (moisture) Moisture levels of the medium before filling pots will affect pore spaces Media is shipped as dry as possible to minimize shipping costs Wetting agents are used - particularly in peat based products – because the dryer peat becomes the slower it is to absorb moisture (coco peat is much better when dry) Prepping mixes (moisture) Optimal moisture is achieved when added to media the night before – allows capillary action help achieve more uniformity of moisture in the mix Soil moisture test – form a ball in your hand – it should hold its shape but break apart easily if poked. Shrinkage & Compaction Peat based products are notorious for shrinking as they dry (20-30% shrinkage) which means the media pulls away from the sides and water can run around the edge of the pot. Compaction from overhead watering can cause reduced pore space Hand compaction when filling pots will reduce pore space Filling containers Ideally fill pot and brush off – a mix with ideal moisture levels will have the ideal pore space When repotting plugs or up-potting minimize pressing action (compression) – while still removing large air pockets that will dry out plant roots. Don’t stack plug trays or pots. Compact growing media will dry out slowly and could cause root rots – promotes algae growth and root rot diseases (like pythium) Chemical Properties Most commercial mixes have a starter charge which means they add low levels of nutrients often in water soluble form to the mix before packaging. Usually last 7-10 days – but the amount provided can be adjusted to the type of crop pH of the mix should be 6-7 High buffer capacity (ability to moderate pH and nutrient levels) best. Media Biology Any media containing organic matter has the potential to be collonized by nonpathogenic and pathogenic microorganisms Nonpathogenic mold is more common on bark based media Slime mold is a problem but is very rare in greenhouse commercial mixes. Some nonpathogenic microorganisms from composted bark are beneficial as they crowd out pathogenic microorganisms. Sterilization Pasteurization and naturally clean Sterilization occurs at water’s boiling point Pasteurization 160-180 which tends to kill harmful microorganisms and retain beneficial microorganisms. Products like perlite and vermiculite are puffed mineral products that use extremely high temps to “pop” and are therefore clean if handled properly. Handling Media Store unused media in a protected area out of sunlight. Wetting agents may become less effective with time and even wrapped bales of media slowly dry out. Reuse season old media by either recharging with wetting agent or mixing with new media in a 10:90 ratio up to 25:75 depending on the condition of the older media. (worse condition should have a lower ratio.