Growing Media

The right indoor grow soil for any project

When choosing the right soil for your grow, you should definitely take some extra time. Because not all soil is the same and for a successful grow it needs depending on the type and life stage of the plant very well different soils and substrates.
Soil or substrate play a decisive role for the nutrient uptake and accordingly in the further development of the plant and its flowers and fruits. From the use of conventional potting soil from the hardware store is urgently discouraged, because it is often preloaded with pests and does not have suitable pH values.

Characteristics of a good grow soil

When choosing a grow soil, there are three main criteria to consider. One is the structure of the substrate and its ability to store and also drain water. If the soil stores too much water, root rot can occur. If, on the other hand, it does not store enough water, the plant suffers from deficiency symptoms.
Decisive for a healthy and flowery development of the plant is, of course, the regulation of the nutrient supply. A high-quality substrate ensures an even and reliable supply of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to the plant. Here, too, it is important to avoid &over- or undersupply. In this context, stable pH and EC values are of great importance, because they determine whether the plant can absorb the nutrients at all.
We at Growmart carry high-quality soil mixtures of renowned manufacturers, which are superior to conventional potting soil in many respects. These soil mixtures ensure good drainage, have sufficient organic nutrients, are free of pests and parasites and have an optimized pH value for the respective plant species. High-quality grow soil also often contains inorganic components, such as perlite or vermiculite, which provide an improved oxygen supply and consequently better root and plant growth.

Lower nutrient requirements of the growing phase

In each phase of its life, the plant has different requirements for the supply of nutrients. In the germination phase, the plant draws all the nutrients from the germ, so additionally added nutrients tend to have a detrimental effect!
Also in the germination phase the nutrient requirement of the plant is extremely low and the danger of overfertilization correspondingly high. With this in mind, specially developed, nutrient-poor growing soil provides the perfect environment for germination and for the first two weeks of the growing phase.
At Growmart, for example, we recommend the growing cubes from Grodan and/or the Canna Terra Seed Mix, 25 liters.

Perfectly balanced soil mixes for the growing season

After the growing phase has been successfully completed, the plants are repotted to grow vigorously in nutrient-rich Grow Soil. Naturally, the nutrient requirement in this growth phase is much more pronounced. High-quality Grow soil now ensures a reliable and sufficient supply of all necessary nutrients.
Certain soil mixtures (for example Biobizz All-Mix) are designed so that they can do without additional fertilization in the first three to four weeks. Especially for grow beginners these mixtures are highly recommended, because the danger of overfertilisation is thus excluded.
In this first phase of plant growth is usually enough to water the plants with tap water. In later phases, the addition of fertilizer becomes necessary, as does regular monitoring of the pH and EC values, for example with the measuring devices from Bluelab.p>

External nutrient supply through fertilizers

Depending on the soil used and type and growth of the plant, it will be necessary in the course of the growth phase to support the nutrient supply by adding fertilizers. Here it also plays a role whether the plants are slow or fast growing. For slow-growing plants, there are soil mixtures such as the Biobizz Allmix, which do not require the addition of fertilizers.

Coco Blocks and hydroponic substrates

As an alternative to high-quality grow soil, for example, you can also use coco substrates or pebbles made from leaf clay. Coco substrate is sold free of water and is accordingly easy and space-saving to store. pH- and EC-value can be regulated very precisely and stably and also the danger of under- or overwatering is eliminated. In addition, coconut substrate offers the not to be underestimated advantage that no repotting is necessary and the plants are thus spared some stress. However, the buffering effect of coco substrate is much lower than that of soil, so that much more caution is required when repotting. Likewise, a special, mineral fertilizer is required for coco substrate. The use of coco substrate is therefore recommended rather advanced, experienced growers. If one wants to carry out a hydro cultivation and highest possible yields to realize, the use of Pebbles from expanded clay is recommended. For example, the Euro Pebbles from Plagron. This special hydroponic substrate is made of pure and salt-free flower clays and is suitable for a wide variety of growing Methods.

Always the right grow medium with Growmart

We at Growmart stock a variety of different, specially developed soils and substrates for the most diverse applications and demands and from all well-known manufacturers. The question of the right grow medium is one of the most important for a successful grow and should be thoroughly considered.