We’ve been discussing hydroponics systems and there are plenty more details to discuss before we’re all fully briefed on hydroponics systems, but because I have gotten so many questions about using hydroponics coco coir, I will take a brief excursion into coconutville.
We’ve been talking about coco coir, which is one of the most popular growing media in hydroponics. If you’ve read Part One and Part Two of this series, you’ve discovered what coir is, how it is processed, that it offloads potassium and locks up calcium and magnesium and is a more neutral (alkaline) medium than peat. Now let’s go on to other important topics regarding hydroponics coir.
In the previous article in this series on hydroponics coco coir, we talked about how coir is made, and discussed details of how coir is used in hydroponics. Unfortunately, there are few controls or regulations that ensure the quality and performance of hydroponics coco coir. This is a matter of concern for you.
Monkeys are very smart, and they are our close relatives. As you know, they love coconuts. Is it possible that monkeys long ago discovered that coconuts can be used as root zone media in hydroponics? I guess we will have to wait until the monkey experts do more research on that question, but one thing is for sure: coco coir made from coconuts is among the top three soilless root zone media, with rockwool as number one.
Q: Hey, really liking your new RAW! column. You have always told it like it is, but my friends and I are really appreciating your help as a grower with what goes on outside of the grow room too.
This one might be right up your alley:
Myles Lewis is part of a new generation of hydroponics plant scientists who test materials and processes to determine the best strategies for faster growth and bigger yields. He has an Applied Biosciences graduate degree from the University of Arizona, has taught hydroponics classes in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and other hydroponics topics, and is founder of a plant science and agricultural company called Verdant Earth Technologies. He’s based in Tucson, Arizona. Myles recently completed a test that compared the Jiffy Preforma rooting cubes with Grodan rockwool cubes. As you may be aware, Jiffy Preforma is fast becoming the preferred hydroponics media used for seedlings and clones. When you read what Myles has to say, you’ll see why…
One of the most persistent types of questions I get from hydroponics growers is about all the different types of systems that are called hydroponics. The question makes sense because the term “hydroponics growing” is used to describe aeroponics, drip irrigation, aquaponics, nutrient film technique, ebb and flow and other types of growing systems...but these systems are not similar in how you run them, in their set-up, and even in their operating costs. And yet these systems are called “hydroponics” because they’re most often indoors with the plants usually fed with “synthetic” hydroponics nutrients and because they’re not growing plants in soil. The significant differences between these systems make it important for you to understand them so you know what your options are.
Hydroponics growers ask a lot about coco coir versus rockwool for ebb and flow and drip irrigation hydroponics gardens. It’s one of the most frequent questions I get and the first thing I tell hydroponics gardeners is that Grodan, the premier manufacturer of hydroponics rockwool, has stepped up its game to make rockwool even more ideal as a root zone media than it was before.
We’ve talked before about rockwool, soil, and coco coir…three of the most popular root zone media you can use in your hydroponics garden. But hydroponics growers have flooded me with queries about the many other types of root zone media, while also mentioning that aeroponics growers don’t need any media at all (except maybe a small amount to provide plant anchoring). So first I must apologize for not making it clear in my other articles that root zone media choices are a lot more diverse, and complex, than most hydroponics growers realize.
With more and more general hydroponics growers using cloning and the sea of green method to get maximum yield in their hydroponics urban garden, it’s useful for us to look at root shooters, rooting plugs, rapid rooter, and other products used to stick cuttings in for hydroponics urban garden root development.