Growing/Gardening Media

Homemade Hydroponics - Hydroponics Growing Media
Executive summary about Hydroponics Growing Media By Colleen Gray

Growing plants using hydroponics means you are growing without soil. Why Use a Growing Medium When Gardening With Hydroponics
One very good reason to use a growing medium in your homemade hydroponics garden is to ensure that the roots of your plants are adequately supplied with oxygen. In a traditional garden your plants roots gather oxygen from the air trapped in the soil. A growing medium serves the same purpose for plants grown with hydroponics. Growing media are designed to trap air that can then be processed by the plant roots.
Another reason for using a growing medium is to provide a food reserve for the plants. Like air, nutrients from the feeding solution are trapped in the pores of the growing medium and are then available to the plants if needed. Types of Growing Media
Rockwool
Made from basalt rock and chalk Rockwool is probably the most popular growing medium used by hydroponics gardeners. The combination of Perlite and Vermiculite is a natural for hydroponics system: one holds air and oxygen, the other holds water and nutrients.
Coconut Fibres
Made from the outer husks of coconuts this growing medium is becoming increasingly popular with organic growers. Expanded Clay Pellets

This medium is made from baked clay. This gravel is very cheap compared to other growing media. If you choose to use aquarium gravel you will need a constant water supply for your plants to avoid root drying.

How to Successfully Choose Your Growing Media
Executive summary about How to Successfully Choose Your Growing Media By Guy Sela
Physical and chemical properties of growing media differ from those of soil and container production requires more attentive management.
There are many advantages to using growing media:
Recycling of drainage water is possible
Nutrient holding capacity is low
What Are The Physical Properties of Good Growing Media?
A balance between air content and available water is one of the most important requirements of good media. Plant roots require air for oxygen supply and gas exchange, and therefore, aeration is critical for optimum plant development. Ideal growing media provide plants with adequate water supply and at the same time contain enough air to allow gas exchange in the root system.
Good growing media are also characterized by high hydraulic conductivity, i.e. ability to transmit water.
Growing Medium And Production System Compatibility
Porosity and Water holding Capacity
Each growing medium has a characteristic particle size distribution. Each medium contains pores of various sizes. Smaller pores can retain water with more force than larger ones. Water Retention Curves
Containers Size and Shape
We mentioned above that the size and shape of the containers, in which the medium is placed, determine the amount of water that the media hold.
The same water content in % will be measured at each height (according to the water retention curve of this medium). This results in different water/air ratio in each container and in different irrigation management.
Irrigation frequency and amount of water applied in each irrigation are determined by the available water content of the medium and by the container shape and size. For example, one irrigation cycle a day is not enough, if the water consumption of the plant is higher than the amount of available water in the container medium.
As the name suggests, hydraulic conductivity is the rate in which a medium transmits water. Hydraulic conductivity of media is not routinely measured in lab tests. Hydraulic conductivity is in effect the limiting factor of water uptake by plants in container media, rather than the water quantity in the medium.
When transpiration rate exceeds the hydraulic conductivity of the medium the plant cannot efficiently use the water contained in the medium and might wilt. In materials used for container media, the hydraulic conductivity decreases exponentially as the medium dries.

Orchids - Growing Media and Orchids
Executive summary about Orchids - Growing Media and Orchids By Graham Holmes
Here's some advice about Growing Media that'll be useful as you learn how to grow and care for orchids.
A secondary function of Growing Media is it acts as an anchor, holding the plant in the pot, secured in combination with the root system of the orchid.
The different types of Growing Media are numerous, but here's a popular selection (and, because they're popular, they're also readily available at good plant stores or online orchid retailers)...
* PrimeAgra©
* Fir Bark
* Coconut Husk Chips
* Sphagnum Moss
* Hardwood Charcoal
* Perlite
Fir Bark
A very well-known type of Growing Media, Fir Bark comes in three different grades... You can get Fine Fir Bark; Medium Fir Bark; and Coarse Fir Bark... The Fine variety is used when growing Orchid Seedlings or mature plants with delicate/fine roots. The Medium variety is used with most other orchid species. While, the Coarse Fir Bark variety is most suited to Vanda Orchids and larger-sized Phalaenopsis Orchids.
Coconut Husk Chips
Sphagnum Moss
Charcoal is used to help prolong the life of the growing media. Perlite

Hydroponic Gardening Media and Other Considerations
Executive summary about Hydroponic Gardening Media and Other Considerations By Steve D Evans
Hydroponics media is the name given to the solid particles (e.g. All hydroponic media must be sterile (free of pests and diseases), and inert (free of nutrients) soil replacement used in this method of growing. Media based systems use some type of soil-less growing media to support plant roots and retain moisture. This system doesn't require a growing medium; the plants are simply suspended in a plastic tray with the roots dangling in a nutrient solution. Add seed and water, and sit back and watch as your plants grow!
The plant can therefore spend its energy growing more vegetation instead of roots.
Growing hydroponically has tons of advantages. It actually saves water! If you were watering into dirt, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to collect and recirculate the water.
Hydroponics gardening is, simply put, a method of growing plants using a nutrient solution instead of soil

Natural Stone Maintenance Guide

Natural Stone Damage - 10 Tips on What to Avoid With Cleaning & Maintenance
Executive summary about 10 Tips on What to Avoid With Cleaning & Maintenance By Sheri Jones
Natural Stone includes granite, marble, onyx, travertine, soapstone, sandstone, quartzite, slate and limestone. Stone is natural and may have adverse reactions to certain cleaning chemicals and procedures.
1. Don't use cleaning products on or near your natural stone unless the label specifies that it is safe on natural marble or natural stone (cultured marble is man-made, and it's basically a plastic material).
2. Don't clean your natural stone with a solution of vinegar and water. Vinegar is highly acidic and will damage the stone.
3. Don't clean your natural stone using a solution of water with a commercially available cleaner, unless its label specifically indicates that it is safe to use on natural stone.
4. Don't use powder cleaners, cream cleansers, generic soap film removers, generic mildew stain removers or harsh disinfectants on your natural stone.
5. Don't leave spills, especially orange juice, lemonade, wine, vinegar, liquors, tomato sauce, yogurt, salad dressing, perfume, after shave, etc. Wipe up these types of spills right away, even if the natural stone has been sealed.
6. Don't use standard floor wax or other topical shine agents on your natural stone. It will only take away from the natural beauty of the stone and could lead to more costly and constant maintenance. If you want a shine to your stone, have your stone professionally polished.
7. Don't apply sealers to natural stone that has not been professionally cleaned. 10. Don't use any type of green or brown scouring pad on your natural stone.
8. Don't place drinking glasses, plants, china, silver or hot items directly on any natural stone surface. Scratching, etching and other types of damage may occur.
9. Don't damp mop or wipe your natural stone with a cloth right after installation or grouting. While you may not cause any real damage, fine powder most likely left on the surface will be trapped in the water and may leave ugly and hard-to-remove streaks all over its surface.
10. Don't use any type of green or brown scouring pad on your natural stone. The presence of silicon carbide grits in them will scratch even the toughest granite.

Maintenance of Natural Stone
Executive summary about Maintenance Of Natural Stone By Artur G
The best care you can give your natural stone is preventative care. Granite counter tops are surprisingly resilient to stains, and practically impossible to scratch. Marble counter tops and tabletops are easily stained by acidic foods like fruit, tomato sauce, coffee, and wine. Blot, do not wipe, any spills up immediately, and then clean with mild soap and hot water. On floors, the best preventative measure is regular cleaning. Wet mop regularly with very hot water, and change the rinse water frequently. In bathrooms, marble and granite tend to attract soap scum, just like man-made tile. Keep a squeegee handy for shower walls, and rinse vanities and natural stone sinks with hot, clean water regularly. Penetrating sealers are also available for flooring and bath areas. On granite counter tops, remove oil-based stains with acetone, mineral spirits, or bleach or ammonia diluted in water. On marble counter tops, avoid harsh cleaners and acidic cleaners, including vinegar.
Larger scratches, nicks, and pesky stains may require professional help, which can be located by calling your local stone dealer.
DO use preventative cleaning measures to keep your stone pristine
DO use sealers, applied and reapplied according to manufacturer's directions
DO blot up spills quickly, especially on marble, and then wash with mild soapy water
DON'T use harsh bathroom cleaners or grout cleaners on any natural stone
DON'T worry, if you get a significant stain or scratch, that your entire natural stone investment is ruined. Keeping your natural stone beautiful is something you will enjoy, and no one ever regretted having chosen natural stone over its alternatives.