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 1 of 5
Grodan Grodan Rockwool tray
    Plastic sheet with rockwool plugs for rooting shoots.

    Available: 77 pcs tray | 150 pcs tray...
    Plagron Plagron Perlite
      Perlite is puffed volcanic rock that creates a porous substrate and better drainage. Use Perlite to improve the structure of earth.

      Available in: 1...
      Plagron Plagron Lightmix
        Plagron LightMix is made from carefully selected types of peat. To optimal balance the lightness and the oxygen level, different types of fiber are ad...
        BioBizz Biobizz All·Mix
          All·Mix is a heavily pre-fertilized soil mixture. It has been designed to emulate rich outdoor soil with a full micro active eco system.

          Available...
          Grodan Grodan Plug Block ~ Starting Blocks
            With the Grodan Cuttings blocks, you have a stone wool starter block with great water retention and plenty of air.

            Available in: 40x40x40mm | 75x75...
            Plagron Plagron Batmix
              Plagron Batmix is composed of the best and very carefully selected peat species. Due to the rich addition of worm manure and bat manure, this soil con...
              BioBizz Biobizz Worm-Humus
                With the Biobizz Worm-Humus, you have a soil improver made from the decomposed material excreted by the king of soil, namely the earthworm.

                Availab...
                Eazyplug Eazy plug | Cutting plug tray CT
                  An organic plug suitable for both cuttings and seeds.
                  Because of the space setup the young crop has all the space it needs to develop.

                  Available: ...
                  BioBizz Biobizz Light·mix
                    Light·Mix is the ideal substrate for every grower who wants to control the process more by adding liquid fertilizer himself. Light·Mix offers the id...
                    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....
                      Plagron Plagron Growmix
                        Plagron Growmix is a combination of fertilizer that guarantee a high biological life. These fertilizers will meet all the plants needs for the first t...
                        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 Cocos Perlite 70/30
                              With the Plagron Cocos Perlite 70/30 you have a combination of two high-quality Plagron products, namely Plagron Cocos Premium and Perlite....
                              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....
                                Cultilene Cultilene cutting block
                                  Cultilene Cutting block for the rooting of plants.

                                  Size: 40x40x40mm
                                  Sold per unit!...
                                  Clonex Clonex Root Riot Refill Bag
                                    With the Root Riot Cubes, you have cutting plugs that are made from composted organic materials and recommended for their large spongy texture, which ...
                                    Plagron Plagron Mega Worm
                                      Discover Mega Worm, the natural soil conditioner that stimulates plant growth and flowering with organic matter, minerals and fungi. Perfect for a hea...
                                      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...
                                        Agra-Wool Agra-Wool Speedgrow Cuttings Block ~ Starting Blocks
                                          With the Agra-Wool Speedgrow cuttings blocks, you have starting blocks made from volcanic igneous rock basalt....
                                          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...
                                            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....
                                              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: ...
                                                BAC BAC Lava aarde
                                                  BAC Lava-earth is a mixture of earth and lava. Lava has many naturally useful nutrients. Also BAC Lava-soil is treated with THE FINAL SOLUTION to crea...

                                                  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.