Substrates for indoor and outdoor growing

The choice of growing soil is one of the most important that a grower has to make. At Experiencia Natural we offer you a selection of substrates for growing, mixing quality and good price, of the substrates that are most commonly needed when growing plants indoors or outdoors, when choosing your substrate here you will always get it right.

What is a growing medium?

The substrate is the medium or material in which our plants grow. It is the substitute for soil when growing in containers or pots. Substrates can be composed of various materials such as perlite, compost, coconut fibre, worm castings, etc.

What is the purpose of the substrate?

Substrate is not just a place where plants take root. It is much more than that. It provides the necessary nutrients for the plants and supports them. Growing media should be porous, light and with a balanced nutrient supply. They should also retain moisture, be free of pollutants and, as far as possible, be economical.

Physical properties of a substrate

The physical properties of a substrate are essential for the correct development of our plants. These properties include porosity, density, structure and granulometry. A good substrate should be porous, light and with a stable structure.

Chemical properties

The chemical properties of a substrate are also important. These include cation exchange capacity, level of assimilable nutrients, salinity and buffering capacity. An ideal substrate should have a low cation exchange capacity, an adequate assimilable nutrient level capacity, a low salinity and a high buffering capacity.

Biological properties

The biological properties of a substrate can be summarised as the rate of decomposition, the effects of the decomposition products and the growth regulating activity.

Characteristics of an ideal substrate

The ideal substrate should have high water holding capacity and easy availability, air supply, particle size distribution, low bulk density, balanced porosity and stable structure. In addition, it should have low cation exchange capacity, adequate assimilable nutrient level capacity, low salinity, high buffering capacity and low decomposition rate.

It should have a low cation exchange capacity, adequate assimilable nutrient level capacity, low salinity, high buffering capacity and low decomposition rate.

Natural ingredients present in the substrates

Substrates can contain a wide variety of natural ingredients, each with its own set of benefits for plants. Let's delve a little deeper into some of these ingredients:

• Perlite: This is a type of volcanic glass that is heated until it expands into a light, airy structure. Perlite helps to improve the aeration of the substrate and retain water, which can be especially useful for plants that prefer a well-drained soil.
• Compost: Compost is a type of organic substrate that is produced through the decomposition of plant and animal waste. It is an excellent source of nutrients for plants and also helps to improve soil structure, which can promote better root growth.
• Coconut fibre: Coconut fibre is a by-product of the coconut industry and is often used as a sustainable alternative to peat. It has superb water-holding capacity and is also resistant to decomposition, meaning it can last a long time in the soil without decomposing.
• Worm compost: This is a type of compost that is produced through the decomposition of organic waste by earthworms. It is an unbeatable source of nutrients and also helps to improve soil structure, which can promote better root growth.

These are just a few of the many natural ingredients that can be found in substrates. Each of these ingredients has its own set of benefits and can help plants grow healthier and stronger. So, the next time you're looking for a substrate for your plants, make sure you consider these ingredients.

What is the best substrate for beginners?

For beginners, a coco fibre substrate can be an excellent choice. It is easy to use, holds water well and provides good support for plants. It is also a sustainable and environmentally friendly substrate.

Different potting soils available here

Substrates are the foundations of cultivation and plants grow on them, which is why they are so important in indoor and outdoor gardens. To talk about substrates is to talk about plant health and it is one of the elements that we should not lose sight of.

There are alternatives to the use of a substrate, such as aeroponic cultivation. However, substrate is still the most widely used medium for growing plants. This is mainly because it is possibly the easiest growing medium for beginners to handle.

Despite the fact that the substrate may appear to be a simple mixture of soils on which the plants are placed, the reality is that substrates are made up of different types of materials that facilitate the optimal development of the crop. Many of them incorporate elements such as perlite that make things much easier for growers, especially with watering and oxygenation.

A good substrate has to encourage the expulsion of excess irrigation water. This is what is known as the drainage capacity of the substrate and is closely related to watering. When a plant receives too much water, it can stop growing, so it is necessary, in addition to providing the right amount of water, to have a substrate that favours aeration and water drainage.

A properly oxygenated substrate will have optimal drainage, which will have to be favoured by a pot with holes in it so that the water can drain out effectively. In addition, oxygenation is also important for the development of the roots, the use of very caked substrates that do not allow air to escape can be detrimental to the correct growth of the root system, which is very important for the development of the plant.

At Experiencia Natural there is a stupendous selection of substrates of all kinds, adapted to the needs of each grower. Among them are coco brick substrates, rockwool cubes, arlite and the best known of all, soil substrates.

Brands such as Canna stand out in the soil substrates catalogue. Possibly, the star product within this line of substrates is Canna Terra Professional, the favourite substrate of many soil growers for its balanced composition, optimal drainage and for being enriched with organic nutrients. It is the best substrate for professional results in soil cultivation.

The Canna Bio Terra organic substrate also stands out, which is the counterpart of the previous one and which only contains 100% organic materials in its composition. It is the best solution for growers seeking to respect the environment by implementing organic crops, where the flavours and aromas of the harvests are more natural.

The wool bricks are another of the most remarkable substrates within the organic panorama. These are compact and must be left to soak overnight to bring out their full potential. These bricks are made entirely from natural coconut shells and encourage water retention, making them perfect for dry climates.

Finally, rockwool is great for planting cuttings or germinating plant seeds. Also, if the grower has hydroponics in mind, this type of starter substrate is very useful. It is also one of the cheapest solutions. These substrates have a plastic coating, which protects the roots and once the cuttings have rooted, it will be time to introduce the seedling in the final substrate.

The substrates are essential for the crop to develop optimally. When a poor quality substrate is used, this has an impact on the final result of the crop, so it is not worth saving on this aspect. At Experiencia Natural you can find the best selection of substrates on the market.