Expanded clay as a substrate for growing plants

This substrate drains well, which allows the feed pump to remain on at all times. Expanded clay does not take ions from the nutrient solution. It is very easy to clean between harvests for reuse. If there were no pathogens in the previous crop, then a simple rinse is enough to get rid of dead organics. If necessary, you can soak it in bleach and kill possible pathogens. Some white salts can deposit on the surface of the clay. When the water evaporates, a small amount of minerals comes out of the solution and dries up. This is not a problem. Algae, often green, sometimes brown, can also grow on the substrate. They will compete with plants for oxygen and nutrients, but not to a great extent.

The size of the pellets for the substrate is 4-8, 8-16 mm or a mixture of both. Density can range from 0,5 to more than 1 g / cm³… The water content is low and only part of this water is available due to surface tension. The air content is very high. Expanded clay pellets are extremely stable, have a pH of 7 and have no buffering capacity. They are round or irregular. The latter are more porous, providing a larger area of ​​contact between air and roots. They are specially made for substrates. Rounded expanded clay works the same way, but the difference in growth rate is obvious.

Expanded clay (swollen clay pellets) Is a lightweight porous material obtained by firing clay or shale. To prepare this substrate, the clay is molded into pellets and fired in an oven at a high temperature (1200 ° C); the gases expand and form pores in the clay.