| Medical Marijuana Indoor Growing Media | | | | to have theirown secret growing mix that produces |
| Greenhouse or indoor Medical Marijuana, has some | | | | gi-normous plants. However, theingredients need to |
| special concerns that are often quitedifferent from | | | | be readily available for the next crop and they should |
| their outside siblings. Rapid growth is tantamount of | | | | be mixedin the same manner each time so the |
| indoorcrops, as the plants may be on a short | | | | routine is consistent. |
| vegetative cycle. Thus, the growingmedium must | | | | Most growers have gotten away from soil based |
| provide conditions that encourage growth. One other | | | | medium in greenhouse/indoorpot plants. SOILLESS |
| requirement ofindoor cultivation, is that the plants are | | | | medium is a medium that doesn’t contain topsoil. |
| uniform, having the same growthrate. A dynamic | | | | Severalorganic and inorganic materials may compose |
| garden is one where plants grow at the same rate, in | | | | various soilless media. Some commonones are: |
| a uniformmedium. | | | | * Peat moss – Peat moss is a moss plant that |
| The growing medium serves several important | | | | grows in heath bogs. Peat moss may vary depending |
| functions in thegrowth and development of the | | | | on the source. Sphagnum peat moss is the best. It |
| plants, such as: | | | | has a high moisture and nutrient holding capacity: |
| * Moisture holding capacity and aeration – The | | | | * Bark – It is best to use aged hardwood or pine |
| growing medium should provide adequate moisture | | | | bark. Bark may be used as a substitute for peat |
| for plant growth, while retaining sufficient air space | | | | moss or in tandem with peat. |
| for root development. If plant roots are not given | | | | * Sand – Sand is often used in combination with |
| adequate air space for exchange of gases, growth | | | | organic matter, such as peat moss, to increase |
| will be slowed, and the target date for harvest will be | | | | aeration and drainage. It has a low nutrient holding |
| missed.. | | | | capacity. It increases aeration to the medium. |
| * Nutrient holding capacity – The growing medium | | | | * Vermiculite – Vermiculite is heat-treated mica |
| should provide nutrients for plant growth. The pH of | | | | that has high nutrient and moisture holding capacity. It |
| the medium needs to remain fairly stable throughout | | | | is lightweight and should be used only with organic |
| the life of the crop so that nutrients are available to | | | | matter. |
| the plants. The ideal medium pH for most greenhouse | | | | These components, along with fertilizer amendments, |
| indoor crops is 5.5 to 6.5. Also, the medium needs to | | | | areformulated into mixes. They can be mixed by the |
| be able to hold the nutrients against leaching so | | | | grower or commercially prepared. |
| plants do not have to be fertilized as often. | | | | Peat-lite mixes and bark-based mixes are some old |
| * Support for the plants – The growing medium | | | | school commercially preparedones, available at most |
| needs to have sufficient bulk density to support the | | | | greenhouses. |
| top portion of the plant. Lightweight growing medium | | | | Soil sterilization may be necessary for controlling |
| may not provide sufficient support. The plant may | | | | insectsand diseases in growing media. |
| easily fall over on the bench due to improper support | | | | Some sterilization equipment uses steam as the heat |
| or the roots may become damaged during shipment | | | | source. |
| because the top flops about. In hydroponic culture, or | | | | Other soil sterilization equipment contains electrical |
| plants grown in nutrient solution, gravel or some | | | | heating elements to heatthe growing media to a set |
| other means of artificial support is provided. | | | | temperature. Don’t forget, grow American! |
| Reproducible and available – Many growers want | | | | |