Cultilene Mapito substrate | 80ltr

- water management in the root zone

Mapito consists of rock wool flakes and PE(Poly-ethylene) flakes. This creates an airy combination that retains moisture well. Because mapito is so airy it ensures the right ratio of oxygen. As a result higher results can be achieved with mapito than with natural substrates such as soil and coconut.

Growing on mapito requires some knowledge and experience and is therefore not for everyone. This is because mapito itself has a PH value of 8.0 (the ideal value for plants is 5.8 to 6.2). It also has the property of constantly increasing the value. That is why it is important to water mapito well with a low PH value (5.2-5.5). Subsequently, during the cycle, you need to check/correct this value properly.

Mapito advantages

Mapito has been around for a while, but in recent years growers seem to have discovered the advantages of growing on mapito. This is not without reason, because Mapito has a solid structure as a substrate and possesses an optimal ratio of water and oxygen. This combination forms the basis for very good harvests! Special rockwool has been developed for horticulture, which is able to absorb and retain a lot of water. These types can hold up to 80% water and contain up to 15% air. The remaining 5% consists of stone wool fiber.

Use

1. 1. When you fill the flower pots or nursing trays with Mapito flakes for the first time, make sure you fill the pots or nursing trays to the maximum. By putting in as many flakes as possible, you prevent the substrate from collapsing too much after the flakes have become damp for the first time.
2. 2. Because of the water the flakes become heavier and some of the air is squeezed out. This can cause a Mapito substrate to shrink considerably. By applying a sufficiently thick layer, the substrate will remain thick enough to grow decent plants. If the layer of Mapito still sinks too much, apply extra flakes, so that the pot is filled optimally.

   pH minus

3. 3. Another important point when growing on Mapito is that we have to keep a close eye on the pH value of the substrate. For successful growing on Mapito it is best if we maintain a pH value in the substrate of between 5.3 and 5.8. Since normal tap water, for example, would have a pH value of 7.5, this means that we need to bring the pH value of the tap water down. By using pH-min and applying the correct dosage, we can get the pH-value at the ideal value. Regular measuring and checking is recommended here. You can often find a lot of information on the Internet about the pH value of the tap water in your area.
   

   Soaking

   
   4. When starting to grow on Mapito it is important, just as when growing on rock wool, to soak the Mapito. If you do not do this or do it wrongly, there is a good chance that the Mapito will not work nearly as well and will absorb significantly less moisture and deliver it to the plants. All rock wool substrates (including Mapito) should be soaked before starting to grow. This is done to ensure that the Mapito's ability to retain water will be increased. This is called the 'capillary action'.
   
   Mapito that has not been soaked beforehand does not retain enough water and does not give the plants the opportunity to absorb enough moisture and nutrition from it. You often see such problems with growers who have a striking number of cuttings that do not take root. Not soaking the Mapito, or soaking it wrongly, is often the main culprit. The young, often vulnerable cuttings do not last long because of this. This is also the reason why rock wool mats are often provided with a plastic layer (white cover). In regular horticulture this plastic cover functions as a nursery. Moreover, thanks to the plastic cover the mats can be soaked completely more easily.
   
   If Mapito or rock wool is not soaked before the start of the cultivation, the dry spots will not get wet during the cultivation either. The Mapito cannot then retain moisture optimally. For optimum soaking, it is best to keep the Mapito wet for 24 hours. In this way the basis for a good harvest has already been laid!

Tip: for the last 2 weeks only give water with enzymes, this ensures that the Mapito is neutralized and ready for the next cycle.