Growing Medias The stuff plants grow in

Things to Know Aeration: The presence of oxygen. Aeration: The presence of oxygen. Pore Spaces: Air holes between soil particles. Pore Spaces: Air holes between soil particles. Inorganic: Non living substances. Inorganic: Non living substances. Organic: Anything that is or once was living. Organic: Anything that is or once was living.

Things to know Soil Ammendment: Items added to the soil to increase plant growth. Soil Ammendment: Items added to the soil to increase plant growth. Pasteurization: Process of heating soil to 180 degrees F to kill harmfull diseases, weed seeds, and insects. Pasteurization: Process of heating soil to 180 degrees F to kill harmfull diseases, weed seeds, and insects. Macronutrients: Elements needed by the plant in large amounts. Macronutrients: Elements needed by the plant in large amounts.

Things to know Fertilizer: Any material provided to plants to supply the nutrients needed for plant growth. Fertilizer: Any material provided to plants to supply the nutrients needed for plant growth. Fertilizer Analysis: Statement on a fertilizer bag indicating the amount of primary elements in a fertilizer. Fertilizer Analysis: Statement on a fertilizer bag indicating the amount of primary elements in a fertilizer.

Types of Media Soil Soil Soilless medium: Contains no topsoil. Soilless medium: Contains no topsoil. Hydroponics: Growing plants in water solutions. Hydroponics: Growing plants in water solutions.

Things media should provide: Media should hold nutrients. Media should hold nutrients. Adequete drainage- plants can die from lack of oxygen. Adequete drainage- plants can die from lack of oxygen. Some consistency. Some consistency.

Components of Soil Sand: The largest soil particle Sand: The largest soil particle Silt: Is smaller than sand but larger than clay. Silt: Is smaller than sand but larger than clay. Clay: The smallest soil particle. Clay: The smallest soil particle. Organic Matter: Anything that is or once was living. Organic Matter: Anything that is or once was living.

Components of Soil % Soil Components

Determine your soil type

Soiless Mixes Peat Moss: A plant material that origionates in bogs Peat Moss: A plant material that origionates in bogs –Great moisture and nutrient holding ability. –Light weight. –Can be acidic.

Soiless Mixes Perlite: White in color and comes from heat-treated lava. Perlite: White in color and comes from heat-treated lava. –Used to aerate the soil. –Light weight.

Soiless Mixes Vermiculite: Comes from the mineral mica, and is shiny brown in color. Vermiculite: Comes from the mineral mica, and is shiny brown in color. –Light weight. –Good for seed germination. –High moisture holding capacity.

Advantages of Soiless Mixes They are: They are: –Uniform –Sterile –Can be manipulated to change the drainange and moisture holding ability. –Easier to ship and move. –Can be personally mixed to get the desired results.

Disadvantages of Soiless Mixes. They lack nutrients and require more fertilization. They lack nutrients and require more fertilization. When used outdoors they are easily blown over. When used outdoors they are easily blown over. Plants sometimes do not adapt well from soil to soiless mixes. Plants sometimes do not adapt well from soil to soiless mixes.

Macronutrients Nitrogen –N Nitrogen –N Phosphorus – P Phosphorus – P Pottasium – K Pottasium – K Calcium – Ca Calcium – Ca Magnessium – Mg Magnessium – Mg Primary Nutrients: N – Green leafy growth. P – Flower and fruit production. K – Disease resistance.

Micronutrients Boron (B) Boron (B) Copper (Cu) Copper (Cu) Chlorine (Cl) Chlorine (Cl) Iron (Fe) Iron (Fe) Manganese (Mn) Molybdenum (Mo) Zinc (Zn)

Deficiencies Can be detected by soil tests. Can be detected by soil tests. Can be detected by the plants. Can be detected by the plants. Phosphorous: Purpling around the edge of leaf. Phosphorous: Purpling around the edge of leaf. Phosphorus: Yellowing around the edges. Phosphorus: Yellowing around the edges. Nitrogen: Whole leaf yellows (most common deficiency. Nitrogen: Whole leaf yellows (most common deficiency.

Soil Ph Soil Ph can range from 1-14 Soil Ph can range from 1-14 Ph’s of 1-6 are acidic. Ph’s of 1-6 are acidic. Ph’s of 7 are nuetral. Ph’s of 7 are nuetral. Ph’s of 8-14 are alkaline. Ph’s of 8-14 are alkaline. Ph’s of 7 are nuetral. Ph’s of 7 are nuetral.

Soil Ph Most plants prefer a Ph of 5.6 – 7 Most plants prefer a Ph of 5.6 – 7 To raise the Ph add limestone. To raise the Ph add limestone. To lower the Ph add sulfur. To lower the Ph add sulfur.

Fertilizers The fertilizer analysis is written in three numbers and tells the percent N, P, and K The fertilizer analysis is written in three numbers and tells the percent N, P, and K For example: ( ) For example: ( ) –This fertilizer is 15% Nitrogen –10% Phosphorus –26 % Potassium –49 % filler material.

Fertilizers If a fertilizer contains all three primary elements it is a complete fertilizer. If a fertilizer contains all three primary elements it is a complete fertilizer. If it lacks any of the three elements it is an incomplete fertilizer. If it lacks any of the three elements it is an incomplete fertilizer.

Methods of applying fertilizer Liquid Form: Fertilizers are sprayed directly onto the foliage. Liquid Form: Fertilizers are sprayed directly onto the foliage. Slow Release: Are in granular form and release nutrients slowly through the soil. Slow Release: Are in granular form and release nutrients slowly through the soil. Water solubles: Dissolve in water and are applied with watering. Water solubles: Dissolve in water and are applied with watering.