November 2024 - 14

PLANT HEALTH
Hydroponics
Growing media influences how plant health is managed
BY HEATHER MACHOVINA
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
H
ydroponics is a way of growing
plants without soil, but that
doesn't mean it is all medialess.
Media is often used as a way to
stabilize plants and provide a place
for root development.
Selecting growing media
Physical properties like waterholding
capacity, pore space and
aeration are some media factors that
need to be considered when choosing
14 | NOVEMBER 2024
what's best for your crops, because
growing media can have a big effect on
plant growth in a hydroponic system.
Chemical activity is another
characteristic to consider. Because
roots take up nutrients as ions, the
cation exchange capacity (CEC) of
the media will determine whether or
not it holds onto nutrients, according
to a recent publication from the
University of Florida-IFAS. Knowing
this, growers can then account for the
nutrient loss in fertilization programs.
Availability of nutrients can also
be challenged by pH. Certain plant
species require an ideal pH range to
effectively take up nutrients through
the roots.
Organic versus inorganic media
is another consideration because
carbon-based components of
organic matter will decompose.
Too much carbon creates an
environment where plants are then
competing for nitrogen.
Some hydroponic growing media
like coconut fiber, pine bark, rice
hulls and sawdust have a short life
span. Others including perlite, sand,
gravel and lava rock are reusable.
All of these options are low cost,
but come with varying pH and CEC

November 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2024

Editor's Letter
Tomato farming success
Mesotunnels impact
Great Lakes EXPO: Unlocking farm potential
Great Lakes EXPO Schedule
Hydroponics
Seed Variety Showcase
Organic Grower
40 Under Forty Fresh Views
Veg Connections
Farm Market & Agritourism
Ag Labor Review
Classifieds
Advertiser Index
November 2024 - 1
November 2024 - 2
November 2024 - 3
November 2024 - Editor's Letter
November 2024 - 5
November 2024 - Tomato farming success
November 2024 - 7
November 2024 - 8
November 2024 - Mesotunnels impact
November 2024 - 10
November 2024 - Great Lakes EXPO: Unlocking farm potential
November 2024 - Great Lakes EXPO Schedule
November 2024 - 13
November 2024 - Hydroponics
November 2024 - 15
November 2024 - 16
November 2024 - 17
November 2024 - 18
November 2024 - Seed Variety Showcase
November 2024 - 20
November 2024 - 21
November 2024 - 22
November 2024 - 23
November 2024 - 24
November 2024 - 25
November 2024 - 26
November 2024 - 27
November 2024 - 28
November 2024 - 29
November 2024 - 30
November 2024 - 31
November 2024 - 32
November 2024 - 33
November 2024 - 34
November 2024 - Organic Grower
November 2024 - 36
November 2024 - 37
November 2024 - 38
November 2024 - 39
November 2024 - 40 Under Forty Fresh Views
November 2024 - 41
November 2024 - Veg Connections
November 2024 - 43
November 2024 - Farm Market & Agritourism
November 2024 - 45
November 2024 - Ag Labor Review
November 2024 - 47
November 2024 - Classifieds
November 2024 - 49
November 2024 - Advertiser Index
November 2024 - 51
November 2024 - 52
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