Types of Substrates in Hydroponics

Hello to all agrohuerters! How are you? Today I come to talk to you about the most used hydroponic substrates for our plants.

What is hydroponics?

The word hydroponics comes from the Greek: hydro (water) and ponos (work). This method is based on replacing the soil with substrates (although it is not necessary for them to be present). Water is used as a transport element to give the plant the nutrient solution it needs. This means that we are facing a method that does not require many resources and that is very sustainable, since we can control the nutrition of our plant at all times.

However, although we think that hydroponics is a current invention… it is not. The Aztecs, many years ago, were the first human generation to use hydroponic agriculture efficiently. Also, it is said that one of the seven wonders of the world, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were irrigated from the roof.

Properties of a substrate

We know by the name of substrate, the material that we use in the culture container and that, in a certain way, is the one that replaces the soil. It is therefore the medium that allows the plant to settle, where it will develop and obtain all the necessary nutrients.

The main characteristics of what would be the » ideal substrate » are:

• retain moisture
• good aeration
• Physical and chemical stability
• chemically inert
• pathogen free
• good drainage
• Adequate capillarity
• Light
• Low cost

The porosity in the substrates is very important since depending on the crop we will need more or less. In the case of azaleas, orchids or begonias, a very high porosity is required. On the contrary, in the case of the carnation, the geranium, the rose or the gladiolus, the porosity has to be low for its correct development.

The hydroponic system encompasses both growing in substrate and growing without substrate. We will explain both cases below.

Main substrates in hydroponics

There are different types of substrates in hydroponics. Although some terms are a bit new to us, I will try to make it as clear as possible.

The most commonly used substrates today are:

perlite

The perlite, as you can see in the photo, has a grainy appearance (0.5-5mm), white in color. It is a natural volcanic mineral, industrially processed at high temperatures. It has high porosity, so it is sometimes mixed with other substrates to improve the porosity of the other. It weighs very little and is very fragile. It is an inert substrate.

This means that the plant could not develop in the perlite if we did not add the nutrient solution dissolved in the water (that is, the plant does not obtain any nutrients from the perlite). Therefore, the perlite will provide the plant with sustenance, hydration and will support the nutrient solution.

Its installation method is very simple:

• Place the bags in the desired places.
• Open the holes for planting and irrigation.
• A saturation irrigation is applied.
• Open points to drain the water.
• Moisturizing.

I leave you the link of a video of how pepper is grown in perlite.

rock wool

Rock wool is a substrate of basaltic and calcareous material, processed at high temperatures and the melted product is transformed into fibers and pressed. Like perlite, it is an inert substrate, with a low density and homogeneous structure. It will allow us to have an easy management of irrigation and nutrition.

I leave you the link of a video where you can see how to grow tomatoes in rock wool.

Coconut fiber

Coconut fiber is one of the most used substrates in hydroponics, along with perlite and rock wool. It is a natural material, made up of lignin and cellulose from the coconut. It is considered an organic substrate, with high porosity and good drainage. It also has a high water retention capacity. Due to all these characteristics, and because it is very light, it is recommended to use it in urban gardens.

rice husk

Rice husk is used in those areas where rice production is abundant. Like the others, it has a good structure and porosity to grow.

Hydroponics without substrate

Hydroponic crops are also considered those that do not have a substrate. That is, they simply require a certain structure and the nutrient solution. One of the systems currently being used in hydroponics without substrate is the NGS system (New Growing System). In the next articles I will delve more into these new cultivation methods.

NGS system

I hope you liked the article and that, as always, tell us about your experiences in the comments. The truth is that the world of hydroponics is very interesting and allows great advances such as being able to grow crops in places whose soils are not suitable for it

Have a nice day!