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Hydroponic Grow Media Rocks and Medium

Hydroponic System DiagramIn a traditional garden, plant roots are in the soil. They support the plant and search for food and water. In hydroponics, we often use a growing medium in place of soil. The roots of a hydroponic plant do not work as hard as those of a plant grown in soil because their needs are readily met by the nutrient solution we feed them. Ideal mediums are chemically inert, porous, clean and able to drain freely.

Many materials have been used as hydroponic growing mediums. These include: vermiculite, saw dust, sand, peat moss and, more recently, rockwool, perlite and expanded clay pebbles. Today's popular growing mediums, perlite, rockwool and expanded clay pebbles are described below

Perlite
Perlite is derived from volcanic rock which has been heated to extremely high temperatures. It then explodes like popcorn, resulting in the porous, white medium we use in hydroponics. Perlite can be used loose, in pots or bagged in thin plastics sleeves, referred to as "grow bags" because the plants are grown right in the bags. Plants in perlite grow bags are usually set up on a drip feed system. Perlite grow bags usually hold 3 or 4 long-term plants. Perlite is also used in many commercial potting soil mixes.

Rockwool
Rockwool is derived from basalt rock. It too is heated to high temperatures but then is spun into fibers resembling insulation. These fibers are spun into cubes and slabs for hydroponic production.The cubes are commonly used for plant propagation and the slabs are used similarly to the perlite grow bags. A plant is set onto the rockwool slab and grown there. The plant roots grow down into the slab. Rockwool slabs usually hold 3or 4 long term plants.

Expanded Clay Pebbles
Many hobby hydroponic gardeners use expanded clay pebbles for their growing medium. Expanded clay pebbles have a neutral pH and excellent capillary action. Often Ebb and Flow systems use expanded clay pebbles in the grow pots as the growing medium.

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Clay Pebbles HYDROTON Growing Media Expanded Clay Rocks for Hydroponic systems picture

Clay Pebbles HYDROTON Growing Media Expanded Clay Rocks for Hydroponic systems

$22.95



2 X 650G Coco Coir Brick Coconut Fiber Potting Soil Plant Growing Media Organic picture

2 X 650G Coco Coir Brick Coconut Fiber Potting Soil Plant Growing Media Organic

$11.99



PGN Clay Pebbles for Hydroponic Growing - 5 Liters (2 Pounds) picture

PGN Clay Pebbles for Hydroponic Growing - 5 Liters (2 Pounds)

$13.75



Grodan Rockwool Cubes (1. 5 Inches) 49 Cubes picture

Grodan Rockwool Cubes (1. 5 Inches) 49 Cubes

$12.16



Medium Course Grade Horticultural Vermiculite - Mushroom /Hydro / Soil / Reptile picture

Medium Course Grade Horticultural Vermiculite - Mushroom /Hydro / Soil / Reptile

$11.99



1.5

1.5 " GRODAN ROCKWOOL CUBES 2/6/12/28/ 50/100

$8.95



Expanded Clay Growing Media Hydroponic 10 Liter 8 mm Aggregate Pebbles Pellets picture

Expanded Clay Growing Media Hydroponic 10 Liter 8 mm Aggregate Pebbles Pellets

$19.99



Grodan 1

Grodan 1" x 1" A-OK STARTER PLUGS Rockwool Cutting Clones Cubes Propagation

$9.90



QUALITY MEDIUM COARSE GRADE VERMICULITE FOR SEED STARTING MEDIUM GARDEN BEDDING picture

QUALITY MEDIUM COARSE GRADE VERMICULITE FOR SEED STARTING MEDIUM GARDEN BEDDING

$14.97



Grodan 1.5

Grodan 1.5" A OK Starter Plugs Cubes 1/12/49/98 count - rockwool grow media

$9.99



Clay Pebbles HYDROTON Growing Media Expanded Clay Rocks for Hydroponics picture

Clay Pebbles HYDROTON Growing Media Expanded Clay Rocks for Hydroponics

$25.99



1 inch GRODAN ROCKWOOL 10/25/50/100/200 GROW  STARTER CUBES (same/ day ship) picture

1 inch GRODAN ROCKWOOL 10/25/50/100/200 GROW STARTER CUBES (same/ day ship)

$13.99



Perlite White Planting Soil Organic Additive Growing Medium 59.8qt/2-1cu ft Bags picture

Perlite White Planting Soil Organic Additive Growing Medium 59.8qt/2-1cu ft Bags

$28.94



PERLITE (FAST SHIP)  QUALITY MEDIUM FINE, SEED STARTING NURSERY POTTING PLANTS picture

PERLITE (FAST SHIP) QUALITY MEDIUM FINE, SEED STARTING NURSERY POTTING PLANTS

$67.95



Wiggle Worm 30lbs Worm Castings Soil Builder picture

Wiggle Worm 30lbs Worm Castings Soil Builder

$32.79



Clay Pebbles for Hydroponic Growing with Resealable Storage Bag (4 Pounds) picture

Clay Pebbles for Hydroponic Growing with Resealable Storage Bag (4 Pounds)

$19.95



GRODAN MACRO PLUG ROCKWOOL STONEWOOL STARTER CLONING MEDIA ROUND 1.5

GRODAN MACRO PLUG ROCKWOOL STONEWOOL STARTER CLONING MEDIA ROUND 1.5"

$6.95



Grodan 1

Grodan 1" x 1" - 12 count - rockwool stonewool hydroponics grow starter cubes

$6.74



SALE 5000G Coco Coir Brick Coconut Fiber Potting Soil Garden Plant Growing Media picture

SALE 5000G Coco Coir Brick Coconut Fiber Potting Soil Garden Plant Growing Media

$22.99



5kg 650g Coco Coir Bricks Coconut Fiber Potting Soil Plant Organic Growing Media picture

5kg 650g Coco Coir Bricks Coconut Fiber Potting Soil Plant Organic Growing Media

$43.48