Growing Media Flashcards
Explain considerations when growing plants in containers
Restricted root volume Waster retention and supply Drainage Nutrients Stability of compost - crumb structure needs to withstand constant wetting Sterile
Loam based compost
John innes typically
Sterilised loam = clay and organic matter
Peat and sand added for water holding capacity and drainage respectively
Seed compost
Potting compost
1 - pricking out and potting on
2 - potting on from 1 or potting up houseplants
3 - final potting and mature foliage
Loamless compost
Soilless
Lighter cleaner to handle
Cheaper - don’t need sterilising
Until recently used peat now use alternatives.
Peat alternatives
Coir (coconut fibre)
Garden compost
Wood based - bark sawdust paper etc
Locally available materials such as straw wool etc
Describe multipurpose compost
Formulated for wide variety of uses from seed to larger plants
Most are peat free
Seed compost
Finer more closely graded contents
Environmental implications of peat use
Destroying British wetlands
Not sustainable as it takes many years to develop.
When dug up releases harmful greenhouse gases
What is hydroponics?
The cultivation of plants in nutrient solution without soils
Considerations when growing plants in water culture
Oxygen supply
Anchorage and support
Nutrition - skilled knowledge
Costs - initial
2 methods of growing plants in water
NFT - nutrient film technique. System of troughs and gullies where nutrient solution is pumped.
Aggregate/substrate culture - similar to above but use of a rooting medium such as rock wool and drip fed from above
State TWO limitations of using a garden soil as a growing medium in containers. 4
garden soil is not suitable for use in containers because it may be contaminated with weed seeds/pest and diseases,
have a variable soil texture/structure,
may be prone to compaction or
have excessive/poor drainage,
may have a variable nutrient content and pH level or
be heavy to move
b) State the effects of growing acid-loving plants in alkaline soils. 2
stunted growth,
lime induced chlorosis
nutrient availability decreases, e.g. phosphorus, iron, manganese and boron which may result in deficiencies
State what is meant by the term ‘garden compost’. 1
breakdown/rotting/decomposition of organic matter as a result of the actions of micro-organisms/bacteria/worms
