1. 5.00 Explain the properties of soils.
Horticultural Soils
5.00 Explain the properties of soils.

2. Soil-less Media (Horticultural Soils)
Media is
any matter, excluding organic soil, used for the production of horticultural plants.
Soil-less media does not contain natural soil. The soil is replaced by other materials

3. Types of Soil-less Media
Peat moss
partially decomposed material mined from the swamps, hold moisture.
Sphagnum
dehydrated remains of acid bog plants, holds moisture, very acidic. Looks stringy!

4. Types of Soil-less Media
Inorganic compounds
do not contain carbon, usually sterile.  
Vermiculite
mica mineral matter used to start seeds and cuttings, helps hold moisture, has neutral pH.
Perlite
natural volcanic material that helps aeration and water-holding capacity.

5. Types of Soil-less Media
Compost
decayed organic matter used for fertilizer and soil conditioning.
Organic Matter (OM)
dead plant or animal tissue, contains carbon, usually has diseases or insects, etc.

6. Types of Soil-less Media
Bark
particles too large to use in seed germination media.
Mulch
used to cover soil to help hold moisture, prevent weeds, etc.

7. Advantages of Soil-less Media
The soil is sterile
The pH is neutral for most commercial blends of media mixes
The soil is disease and weed free
It is good for starting disease sensitive seeds (tomato)

8. Advantages of Soil-less Media
It is easy to control the nutrient content of the soil
It improves crop uniformity
It is easy to create a horticulture soil for particular plant needs

9. Disadvantages of Soil-less Media
It is expensive
It is light weight

10. Soil-less Media Sawdust Wood shavings
high carbon to nitrogen ratio makes nitrogen unavailable for plant use.
Wood shavings
high carbon to nitrogen ratio makes nitrogen unavailable for plant use.

11. Additional Info and Materials
Organic materials must be well rotted or decomposed to avoid problems with nitrogen tie-up

12. Hydroponics Systems – Growing Plants Without Soil
Aggregate culture: using sand or gravel to support plant roots.
Water culture, solution culture or nutriculture: plant roots grow in water containing dissolved nutrients.

13. Hydroponics Systems
Aeroponics: plant roots hang in air and are misted regularly with a nutrient solution.
Continuous-flow system: nutrient solution flows constantly over plant roots, most commonly used for commercial production.

14. Disney – Living with the Land
Take a quick Tour of the Land at Epcot