Perlite, Rockwool, Coco Peat, Growstones...Which Should You Use and Why?

Рет қаралды 270,315

10 жыл бұрын

There are a TON of different types of hydroponic media out there and sometimes it's tough to know what to use. I've used a bunch in my growing and have collected a lot of reader input as well to make this definitive guide to hydroponic media...enjoy and grow on!
In this video, we cover:
- Perlite
- Rockwool
- Coco coir
- Growstones
- Starter plugs
- And many, many more types of growing media.
IN THIS VIDEO
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Пікірлер: 205

@chandra0102 7 жыл бұрын

I used clay pebbles the first year of my experimenting with hydroponics. Found that the pebbles are not all the same size and many small size pebbles were going thru the holes in the net pots, floating in the water and eventually clogging up the tubes and creating problems in the filters. Also found that pea gravel - about 1/4" to 3/8" stone aggregate, washed and rinsed before the first use, works just as well, and is lot cheaper than clay pebbles. Saw no difference in plant growth between growing in clay pebbles vs. stone aggregate. Also, at the end of the growing season I was able to recover almost 90% of the gravel for reuse, but only about a half of the clay pebbles.

@quashiesuzanne 2 жыл бұрын

THx good advice

@KingzMommy 2 жыл бұрын

I just got a hydroponics setup for Christmas… I’ve only been growing in raised beds for 3 years. Been following you since I started. And I am so thankful I can come back to these for this new strange hydro garden world lol. Thank you , Kevin!! 💕

@sirsillybilly 6 жыл бұрын

It’s impossible to drown your plant in coco coir. It holds water but always has a rough 30% buffer/permeable air pocket. You can add vermiculite and perlite to aerate further.

@bikinggal1 Жыл бұрын

I have recently starting Aero Garden to start my seeds and then transfering to my Garden Tower. I discovered after two cycles of getting aphids over taking my plants (indoors) that the peat moss starter plugs I bought were infested in aphid eggs. A warning to everyone! Once you have them its nearly impossible to get rid of. I even at end took all my seedlings and soaked them in soapy water for 20 minutes, then rinsed them well...Today I looked and low and behold my swiss chard wee plant had an aphid. Where there is one there are more!!!! So into the garbage they went. Now praying that the rest are clean!! So moving forward I will bake my peat moss plugs in the oven for 30 minutes!!

@andylee484 4 жыл бұрын

I use homemade worm casting for starter plugs. They actually hold together well along with the roots and can be transplanted to net cups with clay pebbles. I will not use coco coir because palm oil, made from both coconuts and palm nuts, is one of the main causes of the wholesale destruction of rainforests in many parts of the world, especially in Indonesia.

@bowler8 4 жыл бұрын

how do you make them?

@andylee484 4 жыл бұрын

@@bowler8 If you are using 2 inch or smaller net cups, you can just pack the casting in the cups and germinate the seeds directly. Some commercial growers use regular potting mix to start seedlings this way. Don’t let the bottom of the cups touch the nutrient solution. Depending on your conditions, you might have to hand water a few times before the roots will take over. If you are using larger net cups, this method is impractical. I use small 6 cells seedling starter trays and pack them with worm castings. Pack the cells somewhat tightly, like making soil blocks. Transfer the plants to the net cups and hold them in place with clay pebbles when you see roots appear through the bottom. The roots generally will hold the plug together. You can wrap a small piece of paper towel around the plug to keep it together and to keep the castings from migrating into the nutrient solution.

@Xfishf00D 4 жыл бұрын

I was working with some perlite today and was watching the dust and thought mesothelioma from asbestos I believe it is made in the same fashion and basically rocks also..I held my breath

@epicgardening 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, always good to wear mask

@ramatioran 8 жыл бұрын

really good guide thanks allot, thanks allot, it really helps understanding that a growing media is not just a magical substance sold in grow shops but something you can make if you have excess to coconuts or if your creative make it from sea weed or something .

@epicgardening 8 жыл бұрын

Totally! Lots of variety, remember you don't HAVE to buy medium - the Earth is full of it ;)

@dogust 4 жыл бұрын

Coconut husk is traditional soil garden 101 actually it’s been used everywhere like wood nuggets. They also mix it in the soil to loosen it and help retaining moisture. It’s also something you can’t live without if you’re into orchids 🥰

@epicgardening 4 жыл бұрын

Yes, it's fantastic for orchids :)

@robinworkman3621 2 жыл бұрын

Couldn't it plug a pump in a hydro system?

@berndmayer1765 Жыл бұрын

@@robinworkman3621 Yes. It would for sure

@MoonlightComputingCharleston 9 жыл бұрын

I am new to gardening and really new to hydroponic gardening. I have been reading and watching a ton on this subject. Your's is the best for learning why things work the way it does. Others just cover how to. Kudos to you. I am building my first DWC in the next few weeks. Will do strawberry.

@epicgardening 9 жыл бұрын

Moonlight Computing Thanks. Appreciate it, means a lot! What else can I make that will help you?

@MoonlightComputingCharleston 9 жыл бұрын

I have ordered my first DWC bucket and will start using it next week. I have strawberries germinating now. I would like to know more about lighting. I have read about it but not sure if the LED 24w light I purchased for this DWC (1 bucket) will be enough. Also a little unsure about how much nutrients to give and type of nutrients to give.

@LadyFrosti 5 жыл бұрын

Very informative, thank you.

@epicgardening 5 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@scotts.2624 9 жыл бұрын

I think people are missing something obvious when it comes to cleaning /sterilizing grow stones and L.E.C.A. Both of those products are made at over 1,500 to 2,500 degrees F. Dry plant matter ignites around 400 to 600 deg F. I hypothesizes that if you put them in a steel can and set that in a hot fire it would burn out any organic mater in the stones while leaving the stones intact. setting them directly on burning charcoal might also work. I am just starting out on hydroponics so when I need to clean some I will give it a try. IMHO its best to not mess around with strong acids out side of a lab and wearing full PPE. They will bite you before you know it.

@sailinggeorge4286 8 жыл бұрын

+Scott S. Please be sure not to do this to any rocks that have been soaking in water (river/creek/beach rocks). When the heat goes up, the water turns to steam and can turn them into bombs. Fortunately no permanent damage.

@estiennebreed713 8 жыл бұрын

+Scott S. Precisely what I was thinking. I see all these people using laborious methods using lots of water and fiddling around with potentially hazardous chemicals. I live in South Afrrica, water is a very precious resource here, especially with the big possibility now for a drought. Will give this burning thing a try as well after my first harvest. Also I would stay away from using Vermeculite. It gets soggy after a few times of watering (drowning the plants).

@scotts.2624 7 жыл бұрын

How do you figure charcoal ash is poisonous? The only way it will have poison would be if the tree grew in soil contaminated with a heavy metal. Mind you I am not talking about the briquettes.

@Bloutthefirst 7 жыл бұрын

Ash and water makes lye which is very caustic. Wood it's self can make water very acidic and is used to tan hides. if you get any ash or coals into the rock you will have to wash them well with water before using them.

@scotts.2624 7 жыл бұрын

Bullshit, there will be the smallest amount of ash left in the grow stones. The micro grams of ash left would make negligible amounts of sodium and potassium hydroxide. Both highly water soluble. What wood are you talking about. Just how many chemistry classes have you taken?

@womanhikerone4582 5 жыл бұрын

For the porous rocks, you can maybe burn it and rinse for reuse. Although I'm a gardening beginner, but rocks and glass stay the same unless the temp is in the thousands (if they were dry when you start burning).

@epicgardening 5 жыл бұрын

You're right, burning off the root matter would probably help

@Guavamente 3 жыл бұрын

If you're using hydrotons for a soil medium, definitely DO NOT do that. Microbial health in porous substances is of the upmost importance. If you're looking for a blank canvas or clean slate then fire away

@lizmariposa1 9 жыл бұрын

Yeah, when I took horticulture and did hydroponics back in the 90s, in college, they mixed perlite and vermiculite, and it was always such a hot mess. They also recommend mixing it in with regular potting soil in indoor gardening.

@epicgardening 9 жыл бұрын

I'm with you on the hot mess description!

@scottgreen3807 Жыл бұрын

I’ve found coco core a delight because as with weed letting the plant run dry as in a similar to soil watering schedule is best, that’s for small home tents. This makes the mess factor small. So does never having to touch the grow medium itself instead of adding stuff to dirt which is again dirty. You can learn exactly how much water a pot holds and runs off with zero runoff which is clean and neat. This is perlite adjusted for airation. Taste test reveal you can’t tell which medium soil or dirt the plant came from. it’s the phenotype or individual plant genetic expression that effects most judgment.

@judyofthewoods 7 жыл бұрын

It's worth trying charcoal chips. When done with them they can be added to the compost. Check out "terra preta". It might be possible to sterilise and . Can be ground down in an old meat grinder with a coarse plate to roughly the size of regular perlite. I'd be cautious with vermiculite. Some grades can contain asbestos. That might just apply to insulaton. but I'd rather be safe than sorry, especially when there are much better alternatives.

@shanefowkes7451 2 жыл бұрын

More often then not,- cheaper ones are unfiltered/defected bags and the more exspencive ones are pH controlled

@richiepropster4313 3 жыл бұрын

I found some bags of Hydroton about a year ago in two separate locations. My local hydroponic store says that Hydroton is still making LECA...

@MarcellaSmithVegan 10 жыл бұрын

I had trouble growing in the Rapid Rooter plugs, the roots of my seedlings had a hard time getting thru the plug, the seeds I planted either were stunted or died or they were were far behind jiffy pot disks. I found the same to be true with the sacred rockwool, I had roots that just circled the top indention with very poor results. I finally started slicing the plugs and the rockwool so that the roots could get thru them, and even that was not very good. Not sure what I will use next time, but thank you for giving this report, I will use it!

@stefanbachrodt7072 6 жыл бұрын

Great info bud!! Just a tip for you should you want to reuse your GrowStone. Soak it in a solution of H202. I would avoid anything under 30% since they add alternative substances to stabilize it. The 30% goes a long way when diluted down to 5 or 3% which is more than enough to kill off any unwanted bacteria.

@epicgardening 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip. Food grade h2o2 is definitely the secret hack of sterilization!

@stefanbachrodt7072 6 жыл бұрын

I concur! Glad you know about it! Happy gardening!

@epicgardening 6 жыл бұрын

Back at you!

@puerto58 10 жыл бұрын

I would like your take on Shale, you did not mention it and it is becoming a big player in the hydro and aquaponics field.

@epicgardening 10 жыл бұрын

Shale is legit. I haven't used it yet though.

@sirsillybilly 6 жыл бұрын

Clay pellets (hydroton) are best. They are clean and reusable. Coco coir vermiculite and perlite will spill everywhere and cause your grow area to get dirty. It minimizes pests like fungal gnats which you’ll get from coco coir. DWC is best for rapid growth with hydroton. You need a chiller for best results but can use hydrogen peroxide to avoid root rot. Also need to monitor your pH daily. First buy is your Best Buy. Go hydroton with air stones and a chiller if you can afford it.

@epicgardening 6 жыл бұрын

I'm a BIG fan of hydroton as well :)

@devbachu7072 8 жыл бұрын

I am using that noe coconut fibres

@LightTapStomp 3 жыл бұрын

Cool video! I'm inexperienced, but maybe a solution to cleaning the growstones would be to hit a pile with a propane torch or throw them on the grill/oven and burn the roots? I happen to have a lot of perlite, some coco coir and a small amount of rockwool. Do you think using a cutting from rockwool (thin standing rectangle in the middle of the netcup) with the seed in it, surrounded with a mix of coco coir and perlite around it would do alright?

@billjonesnation 3 жыл бұрын

How do I stop my mineral wool and clay pellets from getting small white spots of mould?

@colindixonphoto 10 жыл бұрын

Downside of Perlite is also bloody messy, gets everywhere in a DWC system, used it once, never again lol, I live in japan and EVERYTHING is hard to get, its like living in the past where hydroponics hasn't been invented yet, Hydro fert I can get from the net but for a small GH kit im looking at $60+ lol, got a lot of veg on the grow inside now as its cold but they are not growing as fast as expected as i cant get the right fert, any suggestions for alt fert for a DWC system would be welcome, love the vids dude, thanks ;)

@epicgardening 10 жыл бұрын

Very true, I like to mix it in with stuff (if I use it at all). Spent some time in Japan and I can only imagine how hard it is to find hydro stuff!

@jungsomewhat 4 жыл бұрын

I use buck wheat husks all the benefits ....it just works 👍

@ViceVersaMusik1 10 жыл бұрын

Grow stones are the best!!

@epicgardening 10 жыл бұрын

I'm in love!

@sweetness6048 3 жыл бұрын

Nah I'm in love with coco

@stevechapman1456 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you very helpful

@epicgardening 6 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@devbachu7072 8 жыл бұрын

hi so I can used wetoasis to put my plant on to stand in the solution i notice the root melting when I put it in the water solution

@robinworkman3621 2 жыл бұрын

Would about expanded peat pelets

@quashiesuzanne 2 жыл бұрын

Great video

@shanefowkes7451 2 жыл бұрын

Currently got a coco coir and soil mix iv been using for around 2 years, not only to recycle but to upcycle, iv used it on every thing from tomato's to root veg, but as now its coming to the point if being neutral in pH ect I think I might have to start making plugs from it but would coconut husk *fresh that it* be an advantage

@Ree11Ree 3 жыл бұрын

Do you use coco peat for your micro greens? What’s your take on the AeroGarden?

@johnmaynard7811 4 жыл бұрын

Does chipped up palm frongs good for a medium, mixed in with coconut husk?

@amb1734 6 жыл бұрын

What is good hydroponic system for growing roses

@epicgardening 6 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure, sorry! I have never grown hydroponic roses.

@wendygrett Жыл бұрын

A question … can you use a bell siphon in an ebb and flow hydroponic

@brendens5961 Жыл бұрын

Been using regular old gravel for a decade. Just wish it was lighter.

@TSanti-vz6xf 3 жыл бұрын

Cuando escucharé el video en Español gracias

@domirican64 9 жыл бұрын

When should you switch from nutes to soil, or nutes can be used for whole growth ?

@epicgardening 9 жыл бұрын

Ambie cedeno Nutes can be used for the whole growth!

@mssavedin92 2 жыл бұрын

question. I heard we can fill a netcup up halfway with the hydroton and then top it off with coco coir. What i need to know is if it holds TOO much water >?

@samljer 10 жыл бұрын

Didnt expect to see gravel lol thats what i use, i was broke a few years ago when i first got my system and thought, hey, gravel. washed, boiled and used. used it every since, the shit works fantastic!

@epicgardening 10 жыл бұрын

Gravel: the cheap and easy option :)

@kevingadsden9376 6 жыл бұрын

Do the same thing on ph water nutrient on hydroponics media guide

@epicgardening 6 жыл бұрын

Just released this one: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/idybps15ns3JlIU.html

@gthree0239 6 жыл бұрын

I understand using coconut coir as a replacement for other media. But how could an organic substance have an enviromental impact? It’ll compost back into soil amendments.

@epicgardening 6 жыл бұрын

If your'e referring to peat moss, it's because it's non-renewable in the span of human life. It takes millions of years for organic matter to become peat!

@gthree0239 6 жыл бұрын

Epic Gardening I'm talking about your comment on coconut coir if it wasn't used for media it would have an environmental impact. I know about peat moss taking a long time to make. We're you saying that coconut husks if not repurposed would harm the environment? Or did I misunderstand? I'm just saying shuck the coconut compost the coir or use it for media but either way it's really not hurting the earth.

@KevinThePengWIN 2 жыл бұрын

Any thoughts on using aquasoil as a medium?

@jacyll1966 7 жыл бұрын

Bought some small lava rock to use. I do believe it will not alter the ph. Whats your thoughts?

@epicgardening 7 жыл бұрын

Only one way to know for sure - put water in a bowl and test pH, then put rocks in, mix them around, and let settle for 5m. Then test again!

@brentandpaige 9 жыл бұрын

What do think about actual lava rock (smaller pieces of course) like from lowes?

@epicgardening 9 жыл бұрын

They work, but I prefer growstones as they are like lava rocks but designed for hydroponics use.

@epicgardening 9 жыл бұрын

They work, but I prefer growstones as they are like lava rocks but designed for hydroponics use.

@jaskeda 3 жыл бұрын

I do it some times

@shanefowkes7451 2 жыл бұрын

Lava rock is used in more climate controlled areas hence in Jamaica they used lava rock as a bace in an old tyer for breeding or even 5-8ft trees if they don't get caught

@ronriggs9954 6 жыл бұрын

Epic dude, what would be the best for a newbie, using net pots, seeds and basically the Kratky Method? I have rockwool but have not opened the package yet because the pH thing seems like a pain and I also have a block of Coco Coir. Any suggestions?

@sammyjerome1442 5 жыл бұрын

Coco coir. 😁😁.. The future

@jacyll1966 7 жыл бұрын

How about using pea gravel from big box store? and will it effect the ph and by how much

@epicgardening 7 жыл бұрын

I've had friends who have done quite well with pea gravel, though I haven't used it myself. I'd make sure to rinse it thoroughly, then put a few gallons of water into a bucket, test the pH, add gravel, swirl, and test again to see if it has any result on pH.

@reginaldhesse7934 3 жыл бұрын

What happens to coconut husks in the tropics is that they are not thrown into land fills but are levt to decay and degrade in the environment. Some people use the coco husk split in half for orchid pots. These things are not fast food wrappers nor disposable diapers and are 100% biodegradable.

@vivekgogate3068 11 ай бұрын

Can sponge or foam is good media for hydroponics ?

@chris432t6 4 жыл бұрын

Good info. Very basic.

@igorjovicic1158 Жыл бұрын

what about just normal sponge cubes??? cleanest way with no ph problems

@szechwansource8667 4 жыл бұрын

Could you mix and use both coco and pebbles?

@chuckwaardenburg496 3 жыл бұрын

Makes a delicious breakfast cereal😋

@nathalieC250 2 жыл бұрын

I used Rapid Rooter and although my seedlings did well at first, they became infested with thrips. They were everywhere. I had read somewhere that thrip eggs could be found in coco coir and to my understanding Rapid Rooter is made with coco coir. Anyway, I took my remaining plugs and baked them in the oven at 200 degrees F for 30 mins, cooled them and planted again. Although my seedlings did better, no sooner were they 6 inches high that I got thrips again. I can’t understand why anyone would want to use coco coir if thrips seem to be inevitable. Suggestions anyone?

@kevinbrown1629 7 жыл бұрын

Hmm...No mention of expanded shale.

@epicgardening 7 жыл бұрын

I'll be adding to this list!

@jeremydelcastillo4611 8 жыл бұрын

I have coconuts readily available to me. What can i do with it? I just rip off the husks and compress it? Thanks in advance

@epicgardening 8 жыл бұрын

+jeremy Del Castillo I don't have experience making coconut coir from the husk, only buying it premade and using it. Sorry I can't help there!

@Goody-jg9tx 6 жыл бұрын

I use a kratky type system.I was to GS3 was the best thing.I was using the clay pebbles.I just dont get how the growstones mixed coco is going to work.coco just falls thru the net pot.am I missing something?

@kylepolinski2015 5 жыл бұрын

Was wondering the same thing

@screamtoasigh9984 5 жыл бұрын

I've done it, you just press it down. I use one net cup and press it down into the filled one, then make the hole in the middle (to put in a seed or stem). Then wipe off the (out) sides where it pushed out of the holes a bit. So it's packed, but not solid. Look at khang starr's videos.

@jerryrace4021 7 жыл бұрын

I know this vid is from 2013 but still wanted to leave a comment i live in thailand lots of coconut farming the husks are allways burned or illegally dumped

@epicgardening 7 жыл бұрын

Yeah, sourcing good quality coconut coir is definitely an issue. I just wrote about that in article on coconut coir actually: epicgardening.com/coconut-coir

@lilibethacosta1131 2 жыл бұрын

Can I mix clay pebbles with coco husks or coco cubes?

@mssavedin92 2 жыл бұрын

thats my question. I heard we can fill a netcup up halfway with the hydroton and then top it off with coco coir. What i need to know is if it holds too much water or is it a good idea. I wonder why some of these people wont answer our questions??????????????

@Francois_Dupont 6 ай бұрын

somebody knows if you can use smooth inert material like glass marbles? i am building a hydroponic tower and the pod holder are too big for my coco seedling pods. i want to fill the holder a bit more and help the plant "catch" more water. its my first hydroponic setup.

@aggabus 4 жыл бұрын

1330 no beach in iowa

@vanissaberg5824 Жыл бұрын

I'm curious if anyone has tried using baked clay non clumping kitty litter or oil dry/saftsorb clay granules for hydroponics? If so what was your experience? I might experiment with it to see if that works.

@Sustainone 7 жыл бұрын

Coconut husks have a number of uses and are actually in high demand. Not much Eco value as pretty much all is recycled.

@estherherat4977 6 жыл бұрын

Greetings from Canada. Could you please clarify if rockwool can easily be disposed of? The reason I ask is because I notice in your notes under rockwool that i see that rockwool can be difficult to dispose of but the advantage of rockwool highlights that it is easy to dispose of - hence the clarification. I am studying soilless grow mediums and find this very informative.

@epicgardening 6 жыл бұрын

Right, that is a typo! It's easy to dispose of in the sense that you can just throw it in the trash, but it doesn't really break down easily in a landfill or change its structure at all, so in that sense it's never really "gone." I hope that clears things up!

@Chickmamapalletfarm 5 жыл бұрын

Hey I know this video is old... so i hope someone sees this question. I am brand new, and looking for something that is 1. Economical, 2. Either reusable or compostable. I Have a large soil garden as well, and I would like to create a hydro system that is cooperative with the hydroponic system. Seems like the coconut medium is a good option. Thoughts?

@epicgardening 5 жыл бұрын

Yup, coco is your best bet there!

@Chickmamapalletfarm 5 жыл бұрын

Epic Gardening thanks! 🙏

@janefromtennessee 6 жыл бұрын

How do you use growstones?

@epicgardening 6 жыл бұрын

Same way you'd use something like hydroton :)

@janefromtennessee 6 жыл бұрын

Epic Gardening thank you

@Lisa-qd1ph 9 жыл бұрын

I currently live in the Maldives so can get coconuts but very difficult to bring any other items into the island... I really want to start a Hydroponic garden for the wellness centre on our resort... any tips would be good, have just subscribed to you too,,,, thanks heaps

@epicgardening 9 жыл бұрын

Lisa Manser Hey Lisa, what would you like to learn more about?

@green2black817 7 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately, you can not grind up a coconut and plant weed in it. They soak the seed husks for up to one and a half years in freshwater to leach out the salts. Then some companies will neutralise the crazy appetite coco coir has for some chemicals with a Magnesium drench and balance ph to neutral. The strongest weed in WA was grown at Center Street Collective using coco coir.

@leroyhileman183 3 жыл бұрын

GROW STONE USED AS A BIO MEDIA IN A AQUAPONICS POLISHING FILTER?

@isabellaherrerq1168 4 жыл бұрын

How about marbles i need to fill a 4 by 8 tray but don't want to spend to much on hydrton. I know the the media needs to be ph balanced, so how about marbles, shouldn't impact pH, and they don't float, and not easy to break like hydrton. Let me know if anyone tried this yet.

@sweetness6048 3 жыл бұрын

Haha I use marbles and gravel I also use recycled foam from sofas instead of rockwool both work just as good as the real deal

@janefromtennessee 6 жыл бұрын

Do you use groestones? How?

@epicgardening 6 жыл бұрын

I do use them! They're great.

@janefromtennessee 6 жыл бұрын

Epic Gardening how do you use them?

@dimitristripakis7364 2 жыл бұрын

Perlite danger is inhaling its dust. Rockwool is dangerous to handle and breathe. Both require outdoors and a mask, rockwool also gloves.

@JacquelineCMarsh 10 жыл бұрын

The disadvantage of hydroponics is that you must purchase "plant food" or nutrients and supplements that can be expensive.

@kingcodetv185 9 жыл бұрын

I think you can make Compost tea, which would be full of nutrients.

@farmvid8515 8 жыл бұрын

+Jacqueline C. Marsh spam

@jacyll1966 7 жыл бұрын

if you use any type of manure for your tea or just simple compost it will foam up and smell

@firstnamelastname4494 7 жыл бұрын

Jacqueline C. Marsh people commenting on something they have no idea about is a disadvantage- to humanity. Eventually soil will run out of nutrients and need to be replenished.

@herberwilson7332 9 жыл бұрын

Makinghydroponics seems like challenging especially if you have no experience, but it isn't.

@ericgallant1135 3 жыл бұрын

Im using clay stones

@blkirk6471 9 жыл бұрын

Great video. Mind if I link to it for my site?

@epicgardening 9 жыл бұрын

sure, shoot me the link too! Brian Lewis

@epicgardening 9 жыл бұрын

Awesome. Hit me up when it's live!

@jakeyv420 7 жыл бұрын

Too be honest idgaf about coconut husks going to waste...if they hit the ground they decompose slowly back into the earth dont they? lol

@epicgardening 7 жыл бұрын

Not the worst thing in the world if they just decompose...that's how nature intended it anyways! But nice to use something like coco husks vs. strip mining the countryside for expanded clay if they carry similar benefits :)

@ohsweatbret 4 жыл бұрын

That’s not how they do it in South America. Since they are on plantations out in the middle of the jungle they’ll typically burn or dump anything they can’t immediately use.

@aggabus 4 жыл бұрын

1030 fiberglaaa

@scprepper2672 8 жыл бұрын

how could u prevent coconut coir from drowning the roots? also, is it reusable?

@epicgardening 8 жыл бұрын

The best way to do that would be to mix in some vermiculite or perlite - something light and airy that will break up the coconut coir a bit. Of course, you can closely monitor your watering as well. Most people do not reuse it, but it's not impossible.

@ludwigvanzappa9548 7 жыл бұрын

It's possible to inject air with air pumps .

@epicgardening 7 жыл бұрын

That works too! I just put out a piece on coco coir specifically that addresses SC prepper's question too: www.epicgardening.com/coconut-coir/

@green2black817 7 жыл бұрын

Coco coir always holds 2% air/o2. Hard to drown roots in that situation but I usually use 25% perlite in my coco. Plant roots grow like steroids were in it. Oh there are steroids in Coco. Best shit for non recirculating systems.

@deinemamainhd 5 жыл бұрын

Yeah shipping waste around the world is obviously better for the environment

@aggabus 4 жыл бұрын

Where those husk going 1min ? Oh no. 1 upholstery 2 furniture 3 bricks

@missadelaja 9 жыл бұрын

Can Stone Dust that is used in laying interlocking stones be used safely as a medium.

@epicgardening 9 жыл бұрын

Hmm. Maybe? I haven't tried it before. Give it a shot!

@tonyboroni6949 9 жыл бұрын

missadelaja as long as its not to tight, the particals must be ruff little rocks and big rocks half a cm to 2 cm long, you can use metal shaving alloy or stainless steal anything really coca husk are fucked its ph is 7.3 and a plant likes 6.1 ive had trouble with coco husk

@tonyboroni6949 9 жыл бұрын

missadelaja dont use rockwool it retains water to much and gets mold on the top best thing to use is little silver rocks or stainless steal or alloy its clean and easy to use and reflects light for the plants to and mold wont grow on it.

@tonyboroni6949 9 жыл бұрын

Use clay rocks and use somthing reflective on top of it like scared up foil. If during Rockwood use foil on top so no mold grows, I should no mate, mold does grow on wet shut.

@pepperbox5768 5 жыл бұрын

Can you start seeds in clay balls

@epicgardening 5 жыл бұрын

I wouldn't recommend, not enough water retention and they're too big.

@growguy6517 5 жыл бұрын

One thing that isn't mentioned I'm trying to find out about is lava rock it's cheap and light but how does it work for hydroponics?

@epicgardening 5 жыл бұрын

Lava rock is OK but not great. It's extremely sharp, meaning moving plants can often cut roots. I would personally go with Growstones if you want to do lava rock

@med4204 5 жыл бұрын

Technically using Coco Coir to grow in is NOT hydroponics. Coco Coir retains water for days, Hydroponics is the art of growing plants roots in air with the water/nutrients being added at different parts of the daylight growing time frame. Coco Coir retaining water for days even with the addition of Perlite is no different than using mulch. You still must add nutrients but it is simply not right to state it is a hydroponic medium. Sorry.

@1of1bycody 5 жыл бұрын

What would you suggest?

@ronclark9876 9 жыл бұрын

@s204lp 5 жыл бұрын

Not the greatest review. Your words at times contradict your blog, even your blog contradicts your blog. You've written and stated that rockwool is not easy to dispose of then under benefits you've written, "easy to dispose of"... This didn't help me to understand what might be the best option for me because you haven't described your system(s) setup. You've presented the results and none of the context.

@lonewanderer2894 4 жыл бұрын

While it does say that, i think you're failing to understand his distinction. It could made more clear, granted, but i think he's talking about the difference between a personal disposal, that is, someone throwing it away in their trash can without any hassle as opposed to the material itself being disposable (breaking down) or disposed of into a landfill etc.

@kevinmiller5467 6 ай бұрын

Rockwool works great until you get fungus gnats.

@Ullimately 6 жыл бұрын

Dont make a video showing people your blog. Its difficult to read what is written on your blog because you are wiggling your page around too much

@iRuf12 6 жыл бұрын

growing in plastic medium NOOOOO! horrid

@epicgardening 6 жыл бұрын

+i Ruf yeah, I no longer use or recommend that one

@jesusvera1091 6 жыл бұрын

100%

@brijesh9207 6 жыл бұрын

Please Translate in Hindi

@epicgardening 6 жыл бұрын

I will try!

@screamtoasigh9984 5 жыл бұрын

@@epicgardening you can put the community captioning program on, then people can add captions.

@screamtoasigh9984 5 жыл бұрын

Kumar, if you don't understand English well enough, you can use Google translate app, put it on Hindi to English, then press button for microphone and button to start video. It will listen to the video and translate for you. If you understand English but it's too fast, just put on English captioning (CC) and slow the speed in the settings.