1. What is growing medium (media)
What is growing medium (media) ? This presentation is from Virginia Tech and has not been edited by Georgia Curriculum Office.
Material in which roots of plants can grow in
can be a variety of substances
Roles
provide nutrients (nutrient holding capacity)
provide water (water holding capacity)
anchor
provide air to roots (media porosity)

2. Different Types of Media
Soil
Sand
Perlite
Vermculite
Sphagnum Peat Moss
Hydroponics
sand, gravel, or bag culture

3. Why can’t you just use it?
Consider what the plant’s needs are
Consider how much media is needed
Consider what type of media you are comfortable working with
Convenience?
Ensure that media is free of weed seed, disease, or residues

4. pH Importance Measures acidity or alkalinity in soil
Certain plants grow best in soils with certain pH ranges
Influence plant health
Influence color of flowers

5. Soil Testing
Method of determining what and how much nutrients are in the soil
Should be done at least once every three years
pH can be tested so that the grower can determine which plants will grow best
Lime raises pH
sulfur lowers pH

6. Importance of Fertilizers
Any material that provides nutrients to soil
Complete fertilizer - contains all three primary nutrients
Elemental fertilizer - contains only individual nutrients
Fertilizer application:
time
rate
Forms
liquid
solid ( granular)
Fertigation

7. Calculation of Media Volume
Media is always calculated on a volume basis
usually given in per cubic yard rate
Ex: how much peat and calcined clay is needed to blend a cubic yard of 2:1 peat clay medium?