Growing Media

ROCKWOOL: BetterGrow Hydro offers Grodan brand rockwool. The Grodan brand has been available to growers for decades and is extensively used in commercial hydroponics. It is well regarded as the best rockwool in the world. Rockwool is made from molten basalt and limestone rock. Rockwool is a sterile inert medium that is perfect for hobby hydroponics growers. Growers should always pre-soak their rockwool using a rockwool soaking product or simply soak in water with a pH of 5 overnight. This will help stabilize the pH of the rockwool, which is naturally very high. Grodan rockwool is available in many sizes from 1” cubes to 6” blocks, as well as slabs and granulate.

GROW ROCKS: Also known as Hydroton or clay rocks, this medium is excellent for use in ebb & flow, drip and aeroponic systems. Rocks drain very fast and will dry out very quickly if not regularly watered. The timing of your hydroponic system’s watering cycle must be frequent so that the rocks don’t dry out. Rocks can be easily flushed of any chemical nutrient build up. Rock is often used to help other growing mediums with drainage by placing an inch of rocks at the bottom of the pot.

SOIL & SOILLESS MIXES: Potting soil is favored by beginners and organic growers. Plants that are grown in containers with potting soil are usually hand watered and normally fed once or twice a week. Both chemical and organic nutrients can be used with potting soil. If chemical nutrients are used be careful not to over feed your plants. Balance your pH to 6.3 - 6.8 before feeding or watering your plants. Adding mycorrhizae to your soil before planting will benefit your plant roots system, reduce root rot and increase your plants nutrient uptake from the soil. Soilless mixes are comprised of a mixture of hydroponic mediums such as perlite, coco pumice stone and rocks, and sometimes contain fertilizer ammendments such as earth worm castings, seaweek and beneficial microbes.

COCO COIR: This growing medium is a product of coconut husks. It is rapidly replacing rockwool as the most widely used growing medium among commercial hydroponic growers. Coco is available from countries such as Sri-Lanka, India and Mexico. Growers should be careful with their selection of coco as not all coco is of the same quality. Many of the cheaper brands will have poor quality coco, coco that is high in sea salt and even contain a lot of beach sand. We have selected the two best brands of coco available to growers: Canna Coco and Botanicare. The Canna coco is pre washed and disinfected using steam. Canna coco is also inoculated with trichoderma which is a fungus that colonizes the root structure. Trichoderma feeds on fungi in the growing medium that causes root rot and it also helps stimulate the plants health system. Canna Coco is available in 50 liter bags and growing bags and is ready to use. The Botanicare coco is also pre-washed and is available in compressed bricks, growing bags, bulk bags, etc.