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Gardeners expertise proves that the mixture of vermiculite, perlite, and organic potting soil (loose 100% organic soil mixture is also suitable) in equal proportions is the top for the prosperous . Such mixture presents the excellent upward capillary action of water and supply of CO2 and oxygen. Organic soil in the upper medium layer provokes microbial action.
Some growers practice mixing organic nutrients (e.g. worm castings) into the upper medium component. Other people just distribute them on the surface of the grow medium and then spray them with water. One more way is to mix nutrients with half a cup of water and pour onto the best of the medium. Any of these procedures make certain proper nutrients entrance into the soil mixture and fantastic absorption by the plants main roots.
The upper layer of the medium is also known as “soil alternative”, as it is the location where the nutrients are supplied to. It is treated as a normal soil container. To increase the capillary action of the water delivered by the lava rock at the bottom, it is advised to spray the soil alternative when or twice a day with water.
Producing your working with hydroponics program pay particular attention to the level of the pumped water, this should not moisten the upper portion of the medium. If this happens, the nutrients, delivered to this soil component of the growing medium, will be washed out into the water reservoir, becoming unavailable for the upper portion of the plants root program.
The usual watering cycle takes about half an hour to make the whole upper part of the medium wet. If this time is not sufficient, you may possibly set the timer to prolong the cycles. It is also feasible to spray the upper half of the growing medium with water in addition to the regular pump-triggered watering. Keep in mind that soil-based portion have to never be soaked in water – being moist is sufficient for .
