Substrates ~ Soil & Substrate for your hobby grow

Growing on Soil, Coco or Hydro substrate?

The substrate is the material in which seeds, flowers and plants are grown. EUGardencenter has a wide range of both organic and artificial substrates like soil, coco or hydro.

Soil substrate is most commonly used in hobby growing because it already contains the right amount of nutrients to promote the culture. Artificial substrates such as clay pebbles, coco, mapito or rock wool plugs; usually do not contain natural nutrients by themselves but do stimulate good germination. Growing on hydro is also becoming increasingly popular, here the roots dip into fertilizer rich water.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of growing on soil substrate?

Soil substrate has a good buffer, this means that a surplus or shortage of nutrients does not immediately lead to a ruined crop. Also, soil contains enough nutrients for the first 6 weeks of cultivation and is a cheap option, not only because of the price but also the money you save on plant food. However, soil is the least airy substrate and therefore needs more ventilation and disposing of the substrate after harvesting is seen as a hassle. Another disadvantage is that bad soil can contain insect larvae that attack your plants, so always buy good soil from one of the recognized brands:

  • Atami
  • BAC
  • Bio Nova
  • BioBizz
  • Jiffy
  • Plagron
  • Pokon

 

Soil substrate

 

What are the pros and cons of growing on coco substrate?

Coco is a biological substrate that retains water with nutrition for a long time, this retention ensures a constant moisture flow. Most coir contains enough nutrition for the vegetative period of your plant. However, it is important to add enzymes and amino acids, to create a stable buffer for the plant, and to keep it healthy. A nice extra benefit is that with coir your hands stay much cleaner.

Coco is susceptible to sciarid flies, but you can use the predatory bug to prevent this. Coir sinks less than soil so it stays airier and offers the plant more oxygen but it dries out more quickly. In general you pay the most for coco substrate compared to other growing media.

Coco substrate

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of growing on hydro substrate?

With hydro, dosing of nutrients is generally difficult, but this can vary from plant to plant. All the nutrition the plant receives you have to give yourself and the buffer is zero, therefore the fertilizer value fluctuates a lot if someone is not experienced with hydro. In addition, there is a high risk of leakage due to the large amount of water involved in hydro cultivation.

Besides being one of the cheapest substrates, hydro generally yields more and is less susceptible to insects and pests. Being in control of the complete nutrient supply in also a big advantage if you as a grower know what you are doing, this avoids a lot of unpredictability. With hydro you basically always grow on a growing system, this makes hydro growing a little more expensive because you have to buy one first.

Do pay attention to your light! The roots and the nutritional water of the plants should receive absolutely no light, this harms the roots and breaks down nutrients in the water which will cause algae growth.

Hydro substrate


Growing schedule

As a hobby grower you should always take care of the correct plant nutrition and the correct pH & EC level. This varies per substrate, soil has a completely different growing scheme than hydro/coco.

...Read more

Growing on Soil, Coco or Hydro substrate?

The substrate is the material in which seeds, flowers and plants are grown. EUGardencenter has a wide range of both organic and artificial substrates like soil, coco or hydro.

Soil substrate is most commonly used in hobby growing because it already contains the right amount of nutrients to promote the culture. Artificial substrates such as clay pebbles, coco, mapito or rock wool plugs; usually do not contain natural nutrients by themselves but do stimulate good germination. Growing on hydro is also becoming increasingly popular, here the roots dip into fertilizer rich water.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of growing on soil substrate?

Soil substrate has a good buffer, this means that a surplus or shortage of nutrients does not immediately lead to a ruined crop. Also, soil contains enough nutrients for the first 6 weeks of cultivation and is a cheap option, not only because of the price but also the money you save on plant food. However, soil is the least airy substrate and therefore needs more ventilation and disposing of the substrate after harvesting is seen as a hassle. Another disadvantage is that bad soil can contain insect larvae that attack your plants, so always buy good soil from one of the recognized brands:

  • Atami
  • BAC
  • Bio Nova
  • BioBizz
  • Jiffy
  • Plagron
  • Pokon

 

Soil substrate

 

What are the pros and cons of growing on coco substrate?

Coco is a biological substrate that retains water with nutrition for a long time, this retention ensures a constant moisture flow. Most coir contains enough nutrition for the vegetative period of your plant. However, it is important to add enzymes and amino acids, to create a stable buffer for the plant, and to keep it healthy. A nice extra benefit is that with coir your hands stay much cleaner.

Coco is susceptible to sciarid flies, but you can use the predatory bug to prevent this. Coir sinks less than soil so it stays airier and offers the plant more oxygen but it dries out more quickly. In general you pay the most for coco substrate compared to other growing media.

Coco substrate

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of growing on hydro substrate?

With hydro, dosing of nutrients is generally difficult, but this can vary from plant to plant. All the nutrition the plant receives you have to give yourself and the buffer is zero, therefore the fertilizer value fluctuates a lot if someone is not experienced with hydro. In addition, there is a high risk of leakage due to the large amount of water involved in hydro cultivation.

Besides being one of the cheapest substrates, hydro generally yields more and is less susceptible to insects and pests. Being in control of the complete nutrient supply in also a big advantage if you as a grower know what you are doing, this avoids a lot of unpredictability. With hydro you basically always grow on a growing system, this makes hydro growing a little more expensive because you have to buy one first.

Do pay attention to your light! The roots and the nutritional water of the plants should receive absolutely no light, this harms the roots and breaks down nutrients in the water which will cause algae growth.

Hydro substrate


Growing schedule

As a hobby grower you should always take care of the correct plant nutrition and the correct pH & EC level. This varies per substrate, soil has a completely different growing scheme than hydro/coco.

...Read more
98 ProductsPage 1 of 5
Plagron Plagron Growmix
    Plagron Growmix is a combination of fertilizer that guarantee a high biological life. These fertilizers will meet all the plants needs for the first t...
    BioBizz Biobizz Light·mix
      Light·Mix is the ideal substrate for every grower who wants to control the process more by adding liquid fertilizer himself. Light·Mix offers the id...
      Plagron Plagron Perlite
        Perlite is puffed volcanic rock that creates a porous substrate and better drainage. Use Perlite to improve the structure of earth.

        Available in: 1...
        Plagron Plagron Batmix
          Plagron Batmix is composed of the best and very carefully selected peat species. Due to the rich addition of worm manure and bat manure, this soil con...
          Plagron Plagron Lightmix
            Plagron LightMix is made from carefully selected types of peat. To optimal balance the lightness and the oxygen level, different types of fiber are ad...
            Canna Canna Cannazym
              Prevent fungi and rot with Canna Cannazym, a high-quality enzyme product that breaks down root residues and converts them into usable nutrients for yo...
              Grodan Grodan Rockwool tray
                Plastic sheet with rockwool plugs for rooting shoots.

                Available: 77 pcs tray | 150 pcs tray...
                Eazyplug Eazy plug | Cutting plug tray CT
                  An organic plug suitable for both cuttings and seeds.
                  Because of the space setup the young crop has all the space it needs to develop.

                  Available: ...
                  BAC BAC Lava aarde
                    BAC Lava-earth is a mixture of earth and lava. Lava has many naturally useful nutrients. Also BAC Lava-soil is treated with THE FINAL SOLUTION to crea...
                    Plagron Plagron Bat Guano
                      Bat Guano a natural wonder for your garden. The ultimate fertilizer with bat manure. Perfect for promoting root formation, soil life, and beautiful fl...
                      BioBizz Biobizz All·Mix
                        All·Mix is a heavily pre-fertilized soil mixture. It has been designed to emulate rich outdoor soil with a full micro active eco system.

                        Available...
                        Grodan Grodan Plug Block ~ Starting Blocks
                          With the Grodan Cuttings blocks, you have a stone wool starter block with great water retention and plenty of air.

                          Available in: 40x40x40mm | 75x75...
                          Plagron Plagron Mega Worm
                            Discover Mega Worm, the natural soil conditioner that stimulates plant growth and flowering with organic matter, minerals and fungi. Perfect for a hea...
                            Cultilene Cultilene Mapito substrate
                              Mapito consists of rockwool flakes and PU flakes. This creates an airy combination which hold moisture very well....
                              Agra-Wool Agra-Wool Speedgrow Cuttings Block ~ Starting Blocks
                                With the Agra-Wool Speedgrow cuttings blocks, you have starting blocks made from volcanic igneous rock basalt....
                                Plagron Plagron Pure Zym
                                  Plagron Pure Zym: the revolutionary soil conditioner with natural enzymes. Accelerates plant residue breakdown, enriches soil, improves oxygen availab...
                                  Clonex Clonex Root Riot Refill Bag
                                    With the Root Riot Cubes, you have cutting plugs that are made from composted organic materials and recommended for their large spongy texture, which ...
                                    Grodan Grodan Slab - 100 x 15 x 7.5cm
                                      The advantage of stone wool is that it has a high water holding capacity and contains a lot of air. In addition, stone wool is light, compact and rela...
                                      Rogis Rogis Mycor
                                      Rogis Mycor
                                      €25,00
                                        With Rogis Mycor you have a natural mycorrhiza fungi that absorbs minerals from the soil, thus considerably increasing your root system.

                                        Available ...
                                        Bio Nova Bio Nova Bio Soilmix
                                          With Bio Nova Bio Soilmix, you have an excellent pre-fertilized organic lightmix that contains only vegan ingredients.

                                          Available in: 50 liters....
                                          Jiffy Jiffy Coco Mix
                                            With the Jiffy Coco Mix, you have a pure and organic coconut-based substrate with an RHP seal of approval.

                                            Available in: 50 liters....
                                            BioTabs BioTabs BACTREX
                                              Increase plant health with Biotabs Bactrex, the secret weapon against pathogens such as pythium. Rich in beneficial microbes for optimal soil structur...
                                              Bio Nova Bio Nova Coco Bricks - Box 4x6 pieces
                                                With the Bio Nova Coco Bricks, you have a coco's substrate in compressed form where the volume increases up to ten times when adding water....
                                                Plagron Plagron Supermix
                                                  Plagron Supermix is a complete natural fertilizer that includes living fungi and bacteria, vitamins and minerals, trace elements, worm humus and Guano...

                                                  Growing on Soil, Coco or Hydro substrate?

                                                  The substrate is the material in which seeds, flowers and plants are grown. EUGardencenter has a wide range of both organic and artificial substrates like soil, coco or hydro.

                                                  Soil substrate is most commonly used in hobby growing because it already contains the right amount of nutrients to promote the culture. Artificial substrates such as clay pebbles, coco, mapito or rock wool plugs; usually do not contain natural nutrients by themselves but do stimulate good germination. Growing on hydro is also becoming increasingly popular, here the roots dip into fertilizer rich water.

                                                  What are the advantages and disadvantages of growing on soil substrate?

                                                  Soil substrate has a good buffer, this means that a surplus or shortage of nutrients does not immediately lead to a ruined crop. Also, soil contains enough nutrients for the first 6 weeks of cultivation and is a cheap option, not only because of the price but also the money you save on plant food. However, soil is the least airy substrate and therefore needs more ventilation and disposing of the substrate after harvesting is seen as a hassle. Another disadvantage is that bad soil can contain insect larvae that attack your plants, so always buy good soil from one of the recognized brands:

                                                  • Atami
                                                  • BAC
                                                  • Bio Nova
                                                  • BioBizz
                                                  • Jiffy
                                                  • Plagron
                                                  • Pokon

                                                   

                                                  Soil substrate

                                                   

                                                  What are the pros and cons of growing on coco substrate?

                                                  Coco is a biological substrate that retains water with nutrition for a long time, this retention ensures a constant moisture flow. Most coir contains enough nutrition for the vegetative period of your plant. However, it is important to add enzymes and amino acids, to create a stable buffer for the plant, and to keep it healthy. A nice extra benefit is that with coir your hands stay much cleaner.

                                                  Coco is susceptible to sciarid flies, but you can use the predatory bug to prevent this. Coir sinks less than soil so it stays airier and offers the plant more oxygen but it dries out more quickly. In general you pay the most for coco substrate compared to other growing media.

                                                  Coco substrate

                                                   

                                                  What are the advantages and disadvantages of growing on hydro substrate?

                                                  With hydro, dosing of nutrients is generally difficult, but this can vary from plant to plant. All the nutrition the plant receives you have to give yourself and the buffer is zero, therefore the fertilizer value fluctuates a lot if someone is not experienced with hydro. In addition, there is a high risk of leakage due to the large amount of water involved in hydro cultivation.

                                                  Besides being one of the cheapest substrates, hydro generally yields more and is less susceptible to insects and pests. Being in control of the complete nutrient supply in also a big advantage if you as a grower know what you are doing, this avoids a lot of unpredictability. With hydro you basically always grow on a growing system, this makes hydro growing a little more expensive because you have to buy one first.

                                                  Do pay attention to your light! The roots and the nutritional water of the plants should receive absolutely no light, this harms the roots and breaks down nutrients in the water which will cause algae growth.

                                                  Hydro substrate


                                                  Growing schedule

                                                  As a hobby grower you should always take care of the correct plant nutrition and the correct pH & EC level. This varies per substrate, soil has a completely different growing scheme than hydro/coco.