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
99 ProductsPage 4 of 5
Agra-Wool Agra-Wool RFX-1 | 80 liter
    RFX-1, also called Foam Wool Mix is supplied in cubes of 2x2x2 cm mixed with Foam flakes, specially developed for agriculture and horticulture....
    Bio Nova Bio Nova Profimix
      This refined organic mixture, which in a 2 kilo package contains the following ingredients: Bentonite, bone meal, feather meal, vinasse, magnesite, so...
      ECOstyle ECOstyle AZ-Lime
        With the ECOstyle AZ-Lime corrects the acidity of the soil of your lawn, ornamental garden or vegetable garden.

        Available in: 2kg | 5kg | 10kg....
        Bio Nova Bio Nova Microlife
          With the Bio Nova Microlife you have a Mycorrhiza soil improver with micro-organisms.

          Available in: 2kg bucket....
          Agra-Wool Agra-Wool KWX-1 | 2 bags - 160 liters
            The Agra-Wool KWX-1 can also be called Coconut Wool Mix, this substrate is made of Earthwool combined with 30% Coconut chips.

            Available in: 2 bags ...
            Bio Nova Bio Nova CocoMix Plus
              With the Bio Nova CocoMix Plus, you have a 100% natural coconut substrate that consists of ground and sifted coconut grit sourced from coconut poles i...
              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...
                Atami Atami Janeco Lightmix - 50ltr
                  Janeco Lightmix is an ideal base substrate on which virtually any crop can be grown well. The lightly fertilized soil has the advantage that even the ...
                  BioTabs BioTabs PK Booster Compost Tee
                    Discover the benefits of BioTabs PK Booster Compost Tea: a natural elixir for rich soil life and healthy plant growth. Improve plant yield with our un...
                    Agra-Wool Agra-Wool RCX-1 | 3 bags - 240 liters
                      The Agra-Wool RCX-1 can also be called Rockwool Cube Mix, this substrate is made of 100% Earthwool.

                      Available in: 3 bags - 240 liters....
                      Compo Sana Compo Sana Universal Potting Soil - 40ltr
                        With Compo Sana Universal Potting Soil you have a ready-to-use substrate for planting and repotting all your house, balcony and garden plants.

                        Ava...
                        Atami Atami Worm Delight - 20ltr
                          One of the most important fertilizers for cultivation is worm manure. It ensures a good and fast growth of the plant and greatly increases the yield (...
                          Aptus Aptus Substrate Buffer Liquid
                            With the Aptus Substrate Buffer Liquid you can buffer your substrate to correct the pH or to keep it stable longer and provide your plants with extra ...
                            Pokon Pokon Bio Sowing & Cutting soil - 10 liters
                              With the Pokon Bio Sowing & Cutting soil, you have soil that is specially designed for use with seeds or cuttings....
                              Pokon Pokon Potting Soil Long Lasting - 10 liter
                                With the Pokon Potting soil Long Lasting you have a very good nutrient soil for all plants....
                                Pokon Pokon Potting soil/Coconut Compact - 10 liters
                                  With the Pokon Potting Soil/Coconut Compact you have a universal potting soil made of coconut, you only need to add water to use the soil....
                                  Aptus Aptus Substrate Buffer Powder
                                    Aptus Substrate Buffer Powder allows you to buffer your substrate to keep the pH stable longer and provide your plants with extra Calcium.

                                    Availabl...
                                    Pokon Pokon Houseplants Potting Soil - 10 liter
                                      With Pokon Houseplants Potting soil, you have potting soil that is specially developed for houseplants, so for both flowering and green plants....
                                      Pokon Pokon Dried Fertilizer Pellets
                                        With the Pokon Dried Fertilizer Pellets also known as cow fertilizer pellets, you have a natural fertilizer that improves the structure of the soil.
                                        ...
                                        Tray with Holes for 4x4cm Cutting Plugs
                                          With the Tray with Holes for 4x4cm Cutting Plugs you can easily place your cutting plugs in your propagator, on one tray you can place 84 cutting plug...
                                          Geni Geni Lime
                                          Geni Lime
                                          €19,49
                                            With the Geni Lime you have a high quality and pure lime addition in powder form.

                                            Available in: Bucket of 5 kilograms....
                                            BioGreen BioGreen Lime+
                                              With the BioGreen Lime + you have a PH regulator and a soil improver in one.

                                              Available in: 5 kilograms....
                                              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...
                                                Pokon Pokon Bonsai Potting Soil - 5 liters
                                                  With Pokon Bonsai Potting soil, you have potting soil that is specially designed for the needs of bonsai trees....

                                                  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.