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 Dr. Penguin
Registered: 05/19/08
Posts: 1,036
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 Re: Soil-less substrate (moved)  [Re: Harry_Ba11sach]
#221619 - 04/30/09 01:09 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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One of the major uses of symbiotic bacteria and fungi is to break down the organic material (soil) and convert it to a form plants can use. In a soil-less mix, there is no complex organic part for the microbes to break down. So while they are still present and helping you out, they aren't as essential.
That said, we move on to hydroponic nutrients. Hydro nutes are designed to work without the aid of any microbial activity, all of their nutrients are in readily available forms for the plants to use right away. This difference is why hydroponic growth is often faster than soil growth. If more nutrients are available right away (you don't have to wait for the microbes to slowly do their thing) the plants are able to grow more rapidly.
Now you ask, ok than why not just go all the way to hydro? But ahhhh with soil-less mixes you still get the simplicity of soil (just water and forget), the protection from temperature changes that can damage roots, and the security in knowing that you aren't totally tethered to your 'system' so you can weather minor power outages, landlord inspections, or other unforeseeable events.
As far as taste goes... I think the difference between hydro and full organic soil is very marginal at best. I have grown the same strain out (Bubblegum) in multiple different systems including full organic (happyfrog soil w/ AN mother earth tea) and full chemical hydro (full AN line including 10-day flush) and have been unable to tell the difference. If you treat a hydroponic system well, ie provide all of the essential soil elements as well as chemical compounds, and give them a complete flush, full flavor will follow.
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Dr. Penguin
Registered: 05/19/08
Posts: 1,036
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Re: Soil-less substrate (moved) [Re: Harry_Ba11sach]
#221901 - 04/30/09 11:19 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Absolutely, there are a plethora of different organisms that go beyond organic decay many of which can certainly enhance plant growth. We are not eliminating this symbiosis in soil-less growing though (many hydro nutes even contain certain beneficial organisms) we just don't rely on it as heavily. If you use the right supplements we can introduce any number of beneficial colonies.
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