Soilless Growing Media

Soilless Growing Media

By: Johnny M. JessupAgriculture Teacher/FFA

Advisor

Soils & Growing Media

• Made up of two types of materials….• Organic Matter• Inorganic Compounds

Organic Matter

• Dead plant or animal tissue.• Contains carbon.• Usually has diseases or insects.

Types of Organic Matter

• Compost• Mixture of partially decayed organic

matter.

Types of Organic Matter

• Bark• Particles too

large to use in seed germination media.

Types of Organic Matter

• Mulch• Material placed on soil to break the

fall of raindrops (prevents erosion), prevent weeds from growing, or improve the appearance of the area.

• Used to cover soil to help hold moisture and prevent weeds.

Mulch

Types of Organic Matter

• Straw

Types of Organic Matter

• Peat Moss• Type of organic matter made from

sphagnum moss.

Types of Organic Matter

• Sphagnum• Pale & ashy mosses used to condition

soil.

Types of Organic Matter

• Sawdust & Wood Shavings• High carbon to nitrogen ratio that

makes nitrogen unavailable for plant use.

Inorganic Compounds

• Do not contain carbon• Usually sterile.

Types of Inorganic Compounds

• Soilless Media• Artificial soil.

• Perlite• Natural volcanic material.• Helps aeration.• Improves water-holding capacity.

Perlite

Vermiculite

• Vermiculite• Mica mineral matter used to start

seeds and cuttings.• Helps hold moisture.• Has neutral pH.

pH

• Most organic matter is acid.• Most artificial media is neutral.

Hydroponics

Hydroponics

• The process of growing plants without soil.

Types of Systems

• Aggregate System• Using sand or gravel to support plant

roots.

Types of Systems

• Water Culture• Also called solution culture or

nutriculture.• Plant roots grow in water containing

dissolved nutrients.

Types of Systems

• Aeroponics• Plant roots hang in air and are misted

regularly with a nutrient solution.

Types of Systems

• Continuous Flow System• Nutrient solution flows constantly over plant

roots.• Most commonly used for commercial

production.

Advantage of Hydroponics

• No soil & problems associated with soil.

• Easy to control nutrient content of plants.

Disadvantages of Hydroponics

• Plant support must be provided with strings, wires, or stakes.

• Water quality must be high.• Diseases spread through water.• More moisture or humidity in air to

cause favorable environment for disease organisms.

• More expensive.

Hydroponic Lettuce

Designed By:

• Johnny M. Jessup; FFA Advisor• Hobbton High School