Substrates for hydroponic cultivation guarantee the optimum medium for the development of the plant, and although there is a wide variety of mixtures, choosing the ideal one is fundamental to guarantee the maximum performance of your crops.
Among the types of raw materials for substrates that exist, we can find some of organic origin (peat, pine bark, coconut fibre, etc.) and some of inorganic origin (perlite, vermiculite, volcanic stone, etc.).
Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and a good substrate mix often contains a little of both, to ensure proper aeration of the roots, as well as optimal water retention and the best possible support for the crop.
Below we will describe what you should consider when choosing the right substrate mix for your crops.
What is hydroponic cultivation?
Hydroponics is a cultivation method that does not use soil to grow plants, in which the roots are immersed in a nutrient solution (liquid) that contains the necessary nutrients to guarantee their growth and development.
On the other hand, when substrates are used instead of a nutrient solution, it is a variant of hydroponics known as "substrate hydroponics", in which porous materials such as coconut fibre, rock wool, perlite, vermiculite, etc. are used as growing media.
Choosing the best substrate for your hydroponic crop
The best substrate mix is one that can guarantee stability, nutrient supply and water retention suitable for plant development, while at the same time being an environmentally friendly growing medium.
At Jiffy we strive for our substrate solutions to meet today's demands while being environmentally conscious, whereby the substrates' reusability and safe disposal properties are also an important factor for us.
Jiffy offers sustainable growing media solutions for growers in controlled environments such as greenhouses.
Jiffy growing media play essential roles in the physical support of roots and plants. They create space for gas exchange between the roots and the atmosphere, serve as a reservoir or access point for plant food and micro-organisms important in nutrient cycles, and provide water in a form accessible to the plant.
It is important to consider certain attributes when rating the interaction of a Jiffy product with a hydroponic system. These include characteristics such as water holding capacity and medium structure, which directly influence the efficiency of hydroponic growing.
A prominent example of a Jiffy solution for hydroponics is Jiffy Preforma. This product is characterized by its permeability, which measures the ease with which water flows through a substrate. Understanding permeability involves understanding how the structure of the substrate will allow water to move through the pores to the roots. The permeability of a substrate depends on the size of the pore spaces and how well they are connected.
We have reached the end!
In short, the substrate mixes for hydroponic cultivation are prepared to provide an optimal growing environment for your plant, guaranteeing humidity, aeration of the roots and the nutrients necessary for their development.
The selection of the type of substrate to use for your crops will also depend on the type of plant, the climatic conditions of the area and the irrigation and fertilisation systems, as well as your financial means.
Known for its innovation in greenhouse agriculture, Jiffy offers a diverse range of products designed for hydroponics.
In addition, Jiffy excels in the development of sustainable growing media, root and plant support systems, and substrates with optimal permeability and water retention.
At Jiffy Group we have solutions that will help you improve the productivity of your nursery and hydroponic systems. Check them out!