Soi As a Medium

Gardeneer · April 3, 2015

Traditionally plants have been grown in Soil.

WHAT IS SOIL:

Soil consists of 2 parts :
1- disintegrated and fine particles from rock. Our planet at some time consisted of rocks (the Third Rock From The Sun). Over thousands and thousands of years these rocks fell apart and made the inorganic soil, which contained naturally occurring elements (minerals ).

2- Organic soil.
When the plants and animals life started to form on Earth and grow (in inorganic soil), little by little the remains formed what is called TOP SOIL. TS is really a mixture/blend of the organic and organic components . Some times rain and run off water accumulated it in some places more.

Soil Is a Medium.
Soil is just a medium in which plants grow roots and draw moisture the nutrients that they need. Today they grow plants hydroponically , meaning in water. Now the water becomes a medium. They add the nutrients that the plants need to water, controlling the pH and the plants' needs are satisfied.

Soil Less Medium.
Some plants like Orchids naturally grow on tree tops, where there is no soil. Nowadays orchids are grown in pots using barks (No soil)

Another example of Soil less medium is peat moss and pine/fir bark base potting mixes. I use a potting mix that consists of 5 parts pine bark, 1 part peat moss and 1 part perlite. These components practically have ZERO nutrients until it is added. You may try to raise the pH by adding Dolomitic (Fast Acting) lime This is a dry equivalent of of hydroponic medium that holds the right amount of moisture and the nutrients that the plants need.
Same can be applied to any garden soil. The fundamental is the same :
Provide the plants the nutrients they need with the right amount of moisture, you can grow just about anything you want in any soil within a range of pH.

Source of Nutrients:
The source of nutrients might be derived from organic matter (manures, compost, fish, bone ..etc) or from synthetic material. Now if you are an organic purist you would want to use just the organic fertilizer. Some gardeners use a combination of both (manures, synthetics). It is a personal choice and preference.

Gardeneer

April 3, 2015	#1
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,916	Soi As a Medium Traditionally plants have been grown in Soil. WHAT IS SOIL: Soil consists of 2 parts : 1- disintegrated and fine particles from rock. Our planet at some time consisted of rocks (the Third Rock From The Sun). Over thousands and thousands of years these rocks fell apart and made the inorganic soil, which contained naturally occurring elements (minerals ). 2- Organic soil. When the plants and animals life started to form on Earth and grow (in inorganic soil), little by little the remains formed what is called TOP SOIL. TS is really a mixture/blend of the organic and organic components . Some times rain and run off water accumulated it in some places more. Soil Is a Medium. Soil is just a medium in which plants grow roots and draw moisture the nutrients that they need. Today they grow plants hydroponically , meaning in water. Now the water becomes a medium. They add the nutrients that the plants need to water, controlling the pH and the plants' needs are satisfied. Soil Less Medium. Some plants like Orchids naturally grow on tree tops, where there is no soil. Nowadays orchids are grown in pots using barks (No soil) Another example of Soil less medium is peat moss and pine/fir bark base potting mixes. I use a potting mix that consists of 5 parts pine bark, 1 part peat moss and 1 part perlite. These components practically have ZERO nutrients until it is added. You may try to raise the pH by adding Dolomitic (Fast Acting) lime This is a dry equivalent of of hydroponic medium that holds the right amount of moisture and the nutrients that the plants need. Same can be applied to any garden soil. The fundamental is the same : Provide the plants the nutrients they need with the right amount of moisture, you can grow just about anything you want in any soil within a range of pH. Source of Nutrients: The source of nutrients might be derived from organic matter (manures, compost, fish, bone ..etc) or from synthetic material. Now if you are an organic purist you would want to use just the organic fertilizer. Some gardeners use a combination of both (manures, synthetics). It is a personal choice and preference. Gardeneer