It’s compatible with almost every type of growing system because unlike many media, it’s fairly inert, which means it won’t affect pH or EC.įor farms in which seedlings are transplanted from a separate seedling system (like most ZipFarms), soilless potting mixes trump soil mixes. Many farmers-indoor farmers especially-use a soilless mix for seedlings and beds because it’s easy to source, make, and use. Learn how to make your own seedling cart here. Some growers also use a diluted nutrient mix, which isn’t necessary, but seedlings will need nutrition in one form or another. Many soilless potting mixes also have grains of slow-release fertilizer, which is included to provide nutrients to growing seedlings. Vermiculite (superheated and expanded mica) is similar, though it has a higher water holding capacity (rather than air), and increased cation exchange, which means that it holds more nutrients. The small white media is porous, which keeps the mix oxygenated. Perlite is essentially superheated and expanded obsidian. Read about why coco coir is being used more and more over peat. Be sure that you’re getting coco coir from a name brand source to avoid this.

Coco coir can be salty at times, which means that it can change the EC of a hydroponic system. This gives the mix volume, provides biological surface area, and even determines porosity and water holding capacity.Ĭoco coir has become more popular these days because it is more immediately sustainable than peat moss, which is harvested in great volumes. Coco coir & peat mossĬoco coir and peat moss are fine fibers, which provide the main structure of these types of mix. There’s no inorganic matter like sand, silt, or clay involved, which means that the mix technically isn’t soil.Įach component of the soilless mix serves a purpose. Soilless potting mix might look like soil, but it’s actually just a mix of organic matter like peat, wood chips, or coco coir, perlite and/or vermiculite, and often a slow-release fertilizer. This might be a loose mix or plugs bound with something like a polymer ( FlexiPlugs are an example of a polymer-bound plug, while some peat plugs are simply contained in a thin baggie).

If you’re an indoor grower, you’re probably using a soilless potting mix in some way shape or form.

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