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 2 of 5
Canna Canna COGr Board
-19%
Canna COGr Board
€4,85€3,95
    With a Canna COGr Board you have a coconut substrate made from a refined blend of coconut grit, coconut fibers and coconut granules.

    Available in: ...
    Paperbus Paperbus Rockwool Plugs Medium Box
      With the Paperbus Rockwool Plugs Medium you have a box of rockwool plugs that have a medium hardness, in each box there are 8 trays.

      Available in:
      ...
      Plagron Plagron Cocos Premium
        Plagron Cocos Premium is a perfect basic substrate due to its ideal structure. It is fully buffered with a stable pH value. It is particularly suitabl...
        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...
          Plagron Plagron Seeding & Cutting Soil
            The unique benefits of Plagron Seeding & Cutting Soil, an advanced soil mixture designed for the optimal growth of sensitive seedlings and cuttings....
            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 Lightmix
                With the Jiffy Lightmix you have a lightly fertilized soil mix with perlite with the RHP quality mark.

                Available in: 50 liters....
                Plagron Plagron Allmix
                  Plagron Allmix is composed of the finest, carefully selected peat.

                  Available: 50ltr...
                  I-Clone I-Clone | heating mat
                    The 55x35cm and 35x20cm I-Clone heating mats for efficient plant growth. Read about safety precautions and applications in our comprehensive guide.
                    A...
                    Woma Soil Clean
                    Soil Clean
                    €27,50
                      With Soil Clean you have a natural soil conditioner based on probiotic rhizobacteria and fungi.

                      Available in: 75ml & 425ml....
                      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....
                        Rogis Rogis Plan B
                          Rogis Plan B is a high quality soil improver. Supplemented with minerals and hormones to ensure an ideal cultivation and health of the plants during t...
                          BioTabs BioTabs  STARTREX
                            Increase your garden performance with Startrex: the organic soil conditioner rich in beneficial bacteria. Encourage explosive growth, enrich potting s...
                            Aptus Aptus Mycor Mix
                              Enlarge your root system up to 700 times, improving nutrient uptake. Aptus Mycor Mix is 100% organic and consists of different types of Mycorrhiza fun...
                              Plagron Plagron Euro Pebbles
                                Euro pebbles or Clay granules from Plagron are ideal as soil in combination with soil or cocos or as a basis for a hydroponic set-up!

                                Available: 10...
                                Atami Atami Cocos Substrate - 50ltr
                                  Cocos Substrate contains an RHP quality brand that guarantees a coconut substrate of excellent quality. The coconut fibers are well washed, steamed an...
                                  Clonex Clonex Root Riot Tray
                                    With the Clonex Root Riot Tray, you have a tray of cutting plugs that are made from composted organic materials and are recommended for their large sp...
                                    Atami Atami Janeco Lightmix - 50ltr
                                      Janeco Lightmix is an ideal base substrate on which virtually any crop can be grown well. The lightly fertilized soil has the advantage that even the ...
                                      Plagron Plagron Promix
                                        Plagron Promix is composed of the finest, carefully selected types of peat . By adding various types of fiber to achieve a lightness and oxygen level ...
                                        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...
                                          Plagron Plagron Cocos Brix
                                            This organic coconut fiber medium offers outstanding performance in a hydroponic system. Coconut fibers can hold more water than rockwool....
                                            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...
                                              Agra-Wool Agra-Wool Speedgrow Slab
                                                With the Agra-Wool Speedgrow slab, you have slabs made from volcanic igneous rock basalt....
                                                Compo Sana Compo Sana Universal Potting Soil - 40ltr
                                                  With Compo Sana Universal Potting Soil you have a ready-to-use substrate for planting and repotting all your house, balcony and garden plants.

                                                  Ava...

                                                  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.