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 4 of 5
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...
    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....
      Aptus Aptus Mycor Mix
        Enlarge your root system up to 700 times, improving nutrient uptake. Aptus Mycor Mix is 100% organic and consists of different types of Mycorrhiza fun...
        Pokon Pokon Orchid Potting soil - 5 liters
          With the Pokon Orchid Potting soil, you have potting soil that is specially designed to the needs of orchids....
          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....
            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 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....
                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....
                  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.
                    ...
                    Pokon Pokon Bio Vermiculite 6L
                      With the Pokon Bio Vermiculite, your seeds will germinate well and water and nutrients will be buffered....
                      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...
                        Ferro Ferro Humine-Ex
                          With the Ferro Humine-Ex you have a unique and highly concentrated, environmentally friendly Humine & Fulvine extract based on natural humates.

                          Av...
                          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....
                            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....
                              BioGreen BioGreen Lime+
                                With the BioGreen Lime + you have a PH regulator and a soil improver in one.

                                Available in: 5 kilograms....
                                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....
                                  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 ...
                                    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....
                                      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 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 Cactus Potting Soil - 5 liter
                                            With the Pokon Cactus Potting soil, you have a potting soil specially developed for cactus and succulents....
                                            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....
                                              Pokon Pokon Bio Lime
                                                With the Pokon Bio Lime you improve the soil structure and counteract acidification of the soil.

                                                Available in: 5kg & 10kg....
                                                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....

                                                  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.