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
Pokon Pokon Cactus Potting Soil - 5 liter
    With the Pokon Cactus Potting soil, you have a potting soil specially developed for cactus and succulents....
    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....
      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 (...
        Gout Gout Zym
        Gout Zym
        €28,95
          With the Gout Zym you have a powerful soil improver based on enzymes.

          Available in: 1 liter & 5 liter....
          Pokon Pokon Hydro Grain
            Pokon Hydro grains are ideal as a drainage layer at the bottom of flower pots and planters. Hydro grains ensure that plants grow better and give the r...
            Plagron Plagron Euro Pebbles
              Euro pebbles or Clay granules from Plagron are ideal as soil in combination with soil or cocos or as a basis for a hydroponic set-up!

              Available: 10...
              Woma Soil Clean
              Soil Clean
              €27,50
                With Soil Clean you have a natural soil conditioner based on probiotic rhizobacteria and fungi.

                Available in: 75ml & 425ml....
                Geni Geni Enzym
                Geni Enzym
                €26,17
                  With the Geni Enzym you have an enzyme preparation based on 15 different enzymes.

                  Available in: 1 liter | 5 liters....
                  Geni Geni Activator
                    With the Geni Activator, you have a soil improver that allows you to upgrade your substrate for multiple uses.

                    Available in: Bucket of 4 kilograms....
                    Plagron Plagron Promix
                      Plagron Promix is composed of the finest, carefully selected types of peat . By adding various types of fiber to achieve a lightness and oxygen level ...
                      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....
                        Geni Geni Lime
                        Geni Lime
                        €19,99
                          With the Geni Lime you have a high quality and pure lime addition in powder form.

                          Available in: Bucket of 5 kilograms....
                          BioTabs BioTabs  STARTREX
                            Increase your garden performance with Startrex: the organic soil conditioner rich in beneficial bacteria. Encourage explosive growth, enrich potting s...
                            Agra-Wool Agra-Wool Hydro-X | 80 liters
                              With Agra-Wool Hydro-X you have a modern and more environmentally friendly alternative to Mapito, this mix is composed of Earthwool flakes, Coconut fl...
                              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...
                                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 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....
                                    Pokon Pokon Palms Potting Soil - 10 liter
                                      With the Pokon Palms Potting Soil you have potting soil suitable for all types of houseplants....
                                      Atami Atami Bi-Growmix - 50ltr
                                        Bi Growmix is an organic fertilizer soil with a rather airy structure and free from harmful fungi. This organic fertilizer makes it a good basis for s...
                                        Pokon Pokon Bio Vermiculite 6L
                                          With the Pokon Bio Vermiculite, your seeds will germinate well and water and nutrients will be buffered....
                                          Pokon Pokon Bio Perlite - 6Ltr
                                            Pokon Bio Perlite can be used to make potting soil lighter and airier, promoting root growth and enhancing the flowering of your crop....
                                            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 ...
                                              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...
                                                Plagron Plagron Premium Growbag
                                                  Plagron Premium Growbag combines a ready-to-use coco substrate with a growing container. Washed and buffered coco fibres provide good air and water di...

                                                  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.