Unit 3 Soilless Systems Lesson 31 Mixing Media Principles of Agricultural Science Plant 3 Potting Media Goals Growing crops in containers require Light weight potting media for shipping and handling ID: 554432
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Potting Media Components
Unit 3 – Soilless Systems
Lesson 3.1 Mixing Media
Principles of Agricultural Science – PlantSlide3
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Potting Media Goals
Growing crops in containers require:
Light weight potting media for shipping and handling
Good porosity for drainage and aeration
Good water retention to prevent containers from drying out too quickly
InexpensiveSlide4
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Media Ingredients
Three types of ingredients are used in potting media
Inorganic materials
– minerals and substances derived from non-living matter
Organic materials
– substances derived from plant or animal tissues
Soil enhancers
– includes fertilizers, wetting agents, and soil chemistry buffersSlide5
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Inorganic Materials
For potting media, inorganic materials are typically light weight and very porous volcanic materials such as:
Perlite
Pumice
VermiculiteSlide6
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Other Inorganic Materials
Besides volcanic materials, man-made materials are used, such as:
Plastic polymer beads
Clay beads
Rockwool
Anything inexpensive, light, and that will not disintegrate in wet conditions.Slide7
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Organics
Organic materials absorb water and break down to provide improved porosity
Common materials used in potting media:
Peat moss (sphagnum peat)
Bark chips
Sawdust
Coconut fibers
Seed hulls and husksSlide8
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Soil Enhancers
Because potting media provides plant roots access to everything they require, media can have enhancers mixed in for efficient plant growth.
Some enhancement amendments:
Fertilizers
Wetting agents
Lime or gypsumSlide9
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Slow Release Fertilizers
Potting media can be mixed with time release fertilizer pellets to provide steady plant nutrients over the length of the growing season.
Common product name is Osmocote
®
. These look like little round clay pellets.Slide10
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Purchasing Media
Potting media is typically sold two ways
Bulk – loose, sold by the cubic yard
Packaged – compressed in plastic wrapped bales, sold by the cubic feetSlide11
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References
Boodley, J. W. (1998).
The commercial greenhouse
(2nd ed.). Albany, NY: Delmar.
Parker, R. (2010).
Plant and soil science: Fundamentals and applications
. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar.