Hydroponics Colloidal Organic Matter!

Believe it or not, actual organic matter can be used beneficially in hydroponics gardens in a manner that can dramatically increase the colloidal partition of the growing media, thereby increasing its nutrient storage capability. Many organic materials also exhibit incredibly high surface area to volume ratios which allow them to act as very efficient nutrient "sponges" or "batteries" or "reservoirs".

Organic substrate constituent candidates such as Coir, Peat-Moss, Kelp, bark, alga, Crustacean compost, grape rinds, coffee grounds, etc. are readily available in bulk in many regions around the world and some are actually considered as being waste materials. Many of these substances can be used in hydroponics growing beds to not only increase the advantageous physical characteristics of the rhizome (by increasing moisture retention capacity, etc.), but they can also release nutrients upon their own inevitable decomposition, giving the old "double-whammy" if you will.

Organic materials can also help by introducing and supporting beneficial bacterial inoculation, such as Rhizobium spp., Mychorizzae spp., etc. which can act to further aid in nutrient acquisition by the plants' root system, but they can also be harbingers of disease if they have come in contact with certain strains of moulds or viruses that can adversely affect many plant species such as Black Spot and the infamous Grey Fuzz.

Go To Page: 1

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic