grow mediums. Advantages?

[Ur Local Budman]

hey there again. i am just doin some basic research for my next grow and was wondering, what advantages do grow mediums have over soil? how do you fertilize with grow mediums and what are the best choices? i noticed in some of the pics on this site people grow with these little brown pebble looking things. what the heel are they? plz help i dont want to mess up any more plants like i have my 1st 1.

[21shellshock21]

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 102px; HEIGHT: 60px" borderColor=#f7f7f5 cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=2 width=102 align=center bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Soil versus hydroponics


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

soil
In soil, bacteria have to break down the dirt into the basic elements of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as trace elements.
hydroponics
Balanced plant food (the nutrient solution) is dissolved directly into water so the plant may receive perfect nutrition at all times.

soil
Soil is not able to produce as much nutrient per area as the root system is able to take up.
Hydroponics
Hydroponics takes the desired amount of food directly to the root rather than making plant's roots look for it.

Soil
Soil loses its nutritional value and is difficult to measure in terms of pH and fertility.
Hydroponics
The pH and nutritional value of the water are easily measured and maintained, so plants always have enough to eat.

Soil
Only when you water your soil plants, the basic elements can dissolve into the water.
Hydroponics
In a hydroponic system, moisture is present for extended periods of time or for all the time.

Soil
Soil plays host to many nasty little creatures.
Hydroponics
Hydroponics growing mediums are inert and sterile making a very hygienic environment for the plant and owner.

Soil
Soil requires a lot more watering, has a higher occurrence of pests, plants grow slower, need more space and constant maintenance.
Hydroponics
Hydroponics increases plant growth and yield per area, decreases pests and diseases and the need to water plants.




and lastly they are clay pebbels and one of the advantages of clay pebbles is that they're reusable. and they don't hold lots of water, they also provide the roots with plenty of oxygen. and are pretty good for a Flood and drain system

[chimera]

They are called hydroton grow rocks, they are made from clay pellets and are PH nuetral. I use them in conjuction with rockwool.

The advantage of soiless mediums is that the plants require no effort in absorbing nuetrients. They provide good airration and water holding ability.

As for adding ferts/nuetrients the simplest of the hydro solution is bubbler system(DWC) also drip and flood and drain system and finally aeroponics(sprays the roots with the solution. In all cases you mix your ferts with the water and adjust the PH to 5.5.

The negative is that you can burn the piss out of your plant in a matter of minutes because it is so readily available. The cost of equipment for monitoring your nuetrient solution, i.e. PH meter and EC/PPM meter are a must. The hydroton rocks are reusable, they say you can reuse rockwool and coconut fiber but I find it just to much hassel. To use rockwool you must buy and use the rockwool conditioner.

For more info just search for hydroponics.

[Ur Local Budman]

thanks 4 the info. the only problem is that i aint rich. lol i am tight on money witch is why i am growing in the 1st place. (bud is so expensive.) i guess ill have to wait til i get a place of my own to do hydro or aeroponics.