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Horticulture

Horticulture. Growing Medium. Types of Organic Media. A – Sphagnum Peat Moss 1 – the remains of dead plant materials harvested from peat bogs 2 – 1/25th of an inch of compressed moss equals one year of growth 3 – Most is imported from Canada. (only 5% of worlds supply is in the U.S.).

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Horticulture

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  1. Horticulture Growing Medium

  2. Types of Organic Media • A – Sphagnum Peat Moss • 1 – the remains of dead plant materials harvested from peat bogs • 2 – 1/25th of an inch of compressed moss equals one year of growth • 3 – Most is imported from Canada. • (only 5% of worlds supply is in the U.S.)

  3. 4 – very high water holding capacity makes it important for horticultural use • a – weighs 6 ½ lbs. per cu. ft. when dry • b – weighs approx. 100 lbs when saturated • c – can hold 15 to 20 times their weight in water • 5 – very high in pore space

  4. B – Sawdust • 1 – replacing peat in some areas • 2 – certain trees contain harmful substances (walnut and ceder) • 3 – bacteria that decompose sawdust rob the soil of nitrogen

  5. C – Sand • 1 – deep-mined white mountain sands are mainly silica • 2 – free of diseases, seeds, and insects • 3 – increases porosity

  6. D – Perlite • 1 – volcanic rock mined as an ore • 2 – heated particles expand like popcorn • 3 – pH of 7.0 to 7.5 • 4 – improved aeration and drainage • 5 – is dusty and does float

  7. E – Vermiculite • 1 – Mica-type mineral expanded by heating • 2 – flat plate-like mineral expands like an accordion but can be destroyed • 3 – holds 500% water by weight • 4 – high in potassium, magnesium, and calcium

  8. F – Coconut Coir • 1 – made of the outside shell from coconuts • 2 – increases aeration and drainage

  9. II – Composition of the Growing Media • A – Solid material • 1 – approx. 50% • 2 – organic or inorganic depending on soil type • B – Liquid • 1 – approx. 25% • 2 – too much water and plants become “water-logged”, causing fungus or fertility problems

  10. C – Air space • 1 – approx. 25% • 2 – too much and soils cannot hold water • 3 – too little causes restriction to rooting

  11. III – Advantages of Soil-less Media over topsoil • A – consists of material with known properties • B – typically more consistent • C – easier to handle and mix

  12. D – fertilizers and pH can be adjusted to desired levels • E – correct drainage and water-holding capacity are adjusted • F – sterilization is generally not required • G – cheaper to prepare

  13. IV – Soil Moisture • A – Three forms of water • 1 - Gravitational Water – temporary and drains from a soil by gravity • 2 – Hygroscopic Water – mostly in vapor form and unavailable to plants • 3 – Capillary Water – water held between soil particles by capillary action

  14. B – Field Capacity – the amount of capillary water that is available to plants after gravitational water has drained • C – Wilting Point – the amount of water present when plant starts to wilt; soil particles typically hold water with 15 atmospheric bars of pressure

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