Sand as a substrate for growing plants – Hydroponics

Sand – a loose mixture of grains with a particle size of 0,02-2 mm, formed as a result of the destruction of solid rocks. It is often composed of an almost pure quartz mineral.

Sand stands the test of time and the aggression of minerals dissolved in the nutrient solution. Sand was one of the earliest substrates in the early days of hydroponics. Nowadays, I rarely use sand as a substrate due to its low moisture capacity and porosity. The bulk density of sand is high (1,5 -1,8 g / cm³), and the moisture content and porosity are below 1%. One of the advantages of sand is its significant chemical neutrality. It can be useful in a mixture when it is necessary to lower the moisture holding capacity of the substrate, but this is not very easy, as the sand falls to the bottom of the container.

Literature

1. William Texier. Hydroponics for everyone. All about home gardening. – M .: HydroScope, 2013 .– 296 p. – ISBN 978-2-84594-089-5.