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Soilless Media. It’s what’s for dinner? Huh?. Objectives. Identify the advantages of a soilless mix Identify components of as soilless mix Compare plant growth in different media mixes Identify common types of soilless mixes and their costs.
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Soilless Media It’s what’s for dinner? Huh?
Objectives • Identify the advantages of a soilless mix • Identify components of as soilless mix • Compare plant growth in different media mixes • Identify common types of soilless mixes and their costs. • Identify common soil components used to blend mixes.
What are the functions of growing media? • Give support to the plant in the container • Supply a source of water to the plant • Provide aeration and drainage • Supply a source of nutrients
What are the two categories of soils used in nursery production? • Soil- based • Soilless
What is the composition of the soil? • 45% mineral matter • 25% air • 25%water • 5% organic matter
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a soilless media?
What are different materials in a soilless mixture? • Perlite • Sphagnum moss • Peat moss • Vermiculite • Limestone • Tree Bark • Slow-release fertilizer
What are common blends of the following materials? • Mixes may contain two or more of the previous ingredients • Plants needing excellent drainage will contain a high percentage of coarse materials such as bark or perlite
Common blends… • Most mixes contain an organic material for moisture retention • Common commercial mix is 50% shredded sphagnum moss, 50% vermiculite, and a slow-release fertilizer
ORGANIC Compost Bark Mulch Straw Peat Moss Sphagnum Saw dust Wood Shavings INORGANIC Vermiculite Perlite Sand Gravel Soil compounds
pH • Measurement of acidity or alkalinity from 0 to 14 • Acid= less than 7.0 on a pH scale • Alkaline= more than 7.0 on pH scale • Organic matter is acid • Artificial media is neutral