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
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...
    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...
      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....
        Cultilene Cultilene Mapito substrate
          Mapito consists of rockwool flakes and PU flakes. This creates an airy combination which hold moisture very well....
          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...
            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 Cocos Brix
                This organic coconut fiber medium offers outstanding performance in a hydroponic system. Coconut fibers can hold more water than rockwool....
                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...
                  Pokon Pokon Potting Soil
                    With the Pokon Potting Soil you have a good nutritional soil for all types of plants.

                    Available in: 5L | 10L | 20L....
                    Atami Atami Coco Slabs
                      With the Atami Coco Slabs you have a high-quality substrate in the form of a slab consisting of coconut fibers derived from the mesocarp of the coconu...
                      Pokon Pokon Hydro Grain
                        Pokon Hydro grains are ideal as a drainage layer at the bottom of flower pots and planters. Hydro grains ensure that plants grow better and give the r...
                        Plagron Plagron Allmix
                          Plagron Allmix is composed of the finest, carefully selected peat.

                          Available: 50ltr...
                          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...
                            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....
                              BioBizz Biobizz Pre·Mix
                                Biobizz Pre·Mix combines the qualities of many different organic fertilizers, rock meals, trace elements, and fungi in such quantities that optimum g...
                                Agra-Wool Agra-Wool Hydro-X | 80 liters
                                  With Agra-Wool Hydro-X you have a modern and more environmentally friendly alternative to Mapito, this mix is composed of Earthwool flakes, Coconut fl...
                                  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 Hydro Cocos
                                      The benefits of hydrological growing with Plagron Hydro Cocos 60/40: a unique blend of clay granules and coconut for optimal plant growth and flowerin...
                                      Terra Aquatica (T.A) ~ GHE Terra Aquatica - GroRox
                                        GroRox clay granules are a lightweight and completely reusable substrate for hydroponic gardening and food production. Made up of safe materials, GroR...
                                        Plagron Plagron Cocos slab
                                          Cocos Slab represents the ideal substrate for the grower who prefers a natural and highly pure product....
                                          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...
                                            Atami Atami Kilomix - 50ltr
                                              Kilomix is (much) more heavily fertilized compared to Janeco-Lightmix. Kilomix is therefore a heavenly substrate for any plant, as it contains a wealt...
                                              BioTabs BioTabs MYCOTREX
                                                Boost your plant growth naturally with Mycotrex, a unique blend of Mycorrhizal spores. Improves nutrient uptake and resistance, for strong and healthy...
                                                Agra-Wool Agra-Wool Speedgrow Slab
                                                  With the Agra-Wool Speedgrow slab, you have slabs made from volcanic igneous rock basalt....

                                                  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.