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Growing Media

The document discusses different types of growing media used in horticulture, including their functions and effects on plant growth. It identifies soil, soilless media, and hydroponics as the three types and explains their characteristics. The functions of growing media are to provide air, water, nutrients, and support to plants. The media affects plant growth by supplying or not supplying these requirements, impacting nutrient levels, stress, diseases, and uniformity.

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25 views21 pages

Growing Media

The document discusses different types of growing media used in horticulture, including their functions and effects on plant growth. It identifies soil, soilless media, and hydroponics as the three types and explains their characteristics. The functions of growing media are to provide air, water, nutrients, and support to plants. The media affects plant growth by supplying or not supplying these requirements, impacting nutrient levels, stress, diseases, and uniformity.

Uploaded by

April
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Horticulture Science

Unit A

Horticulture CD
Growing Media, Nutrients, &
Fertilizers
Problem Area 4
Understanding Properties of
Growing Media
Lesson 1

Vermiculite>>>>>
Interest Approach
What makes a great
basketball team?
• 5 or more members that work well together.
• At least 1 who can score points from 20’ +.
• At least 1 who can be used inside the key.
• 1 or more who can control the ball.
• 1 or more to push the ball inside.
• Each player has their strengths!
Interest Approach
What makes a great growing
medium?
• Several components that work well
together
• 1 or more that hold water.
• 1 or more that hold air.
• 1 or more sources of nutrients.
• 1 or more to help defend against pest.
– Components that are sterilized.
Interest Approach
Which Makes the Best
Growing Medium?
• Sand
• Peat Moss
• Field Soil
• Vermiculite
• Pearlite
• Water
• Gravel
Student Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you
will be able to:
• 1. Identify the types of growing media.
• 2. Describe the functions of growing
media.
• 3. Explain the relationship between
growing media and plant growth.
TERMS
• Aeration – the presence of air
• Growing medium – material used for plant
growth
• Hydroponics – growing plants w/o “soil”
• Leach – to remove by percolation
• Pore spaces – voids for water or air holding
• Soil – outer layer of the earth suitable for plants
• Soilless medium – sterile product/s used for
plants
What are the types of growing
media used in floriculture
production?
• Is “soil” used?

• Soil – the earth’s outer crust is full of


life!
– Bacteria
– Fungi
– Invertebrates
What are the negatives of
using “SOIL” for containers?
• Unknown history of:
– Pesticides
– pH
– Fertility level
• High shrink / swell
– Soil shrinks as it dries – forming cracks
• Higher disease probability
So what media should you
use?
• Sand? Dries to quickly.
• Peat moss? Dries to slowly.
• Coir? Hard to get wetted.
• Water? To little air.
• Pearlite? To much air.
• Vermiculite? Pricey.
• Potting soil mixes? Just right.
The 3 basic types of media!
• Soil – natural layer of the earth that
supports life.

• Soilless – any material for growing


plants not containing topsoil.

• Hydroponics – plants grown primarily in


nutrient solution.
What are the functions of the
growing media?
• Must provide AIR.

• Must provide WATER.

• Must provide Nutrients.

• Must provide ANCHORE / SUPPORT.


What effect does growing
media have on plant growth?
• Supplying Nutrients
• Some media cannot hold essential
elements for plants. Nutrients are
leached out to rapidly.
• Stressed plants are prone to disease
and insect damage – increasing loss.
• Reduced growth = lower returns
What effect does growing
media have on plant growth?
• Supplying Air

• As air is reduced, plant stress


increases.
• Roots need oxygen and water – both in
moderation.
• Increasing stress increases pest
susceptibility and profit loss
Necrotic line patterns in the foliage of a cyclamen
affected by impatiens necrotic spot tospovirus
(INSV).
What effect does growing
media have on plant growth?
• Uniformity

• Large scale production demands that all


plants perform equally.
• This is only possible if all plants get
equal inputs from a uniform media.
Review
What are the 3 types of
media?
• Soil
– define
• Soilless
– define
• Hydroponics
– define
What are the functions of
growing media?
• Supply Air.
– Why?
• Supply water.
– Why?
• Supply nutrients.
– Why?
• Supply support / anchor.
– Why?
Why is it important for media
to:
• Supply nutrients?
• Increase healthy plants,growth and
returns.
• Supply air?
• Reduce diseases and increase profit.
• Supply uniformity?
• Plant schedules require uniform plant
growth!

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