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Carlos Cordova

Professor Pflueger

AGRI 1415.51700

30 September 2022

Horticulture Soils

In general horticulture, many types of substrates are ready-made growing soils to

supply mainly nutrient requirements and structure and support to provide good plant

development. Substrate mixtures can be used in potting for garden plants, in plant

propagation for seed germination, rooting cuttings and layering, and in multiplication

from specialized vegetative propagation structures. In addition, there are some in-vitro

culture media in which a carrier known as "agar" is used, a gelatin used to propagate

plants and bacteria on more minor scales. An example of in-vitro culture is planting

seedlings of blueberries, orchids, carnivorous plants, or specific varieties of desired

plants. As for the functions of the culture medium, there are four general functions. The

first function of the growing medium is to provide the necessary nutrients to the plant;

each substrate varies from different types of nutrients. Peat does not provide nutrients

to the plant because it is commonly used for plants that do not require nutrients, such as

orchids or carnivorous plants. The second function of the growing medium is the

support it provides to the plant. As mentioned above, peat does not provide nutrients to

the plant, but it does support many plants that need it, such as carnivorous plants or

orchids. The third function of the growing medium is storing or holding water so that the

plants can hydrate themselves. Sand is not a very water-retentive substrate and

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therefore has an insufficient water storage capacity. In many seedbeds, perlite and peat

are widely used because perlite provides warmth to the plant roots, and peat retains

water efficiently. The fourth function of the growing medium is to supply oxygen for the

growth of the roots and the whole plant. Although sand does not hold water very well, it

provides good oxygenation for many plants, or even in hydroponics, gravel provides

good oxygenation.

The physical properties (porosity, granulometry, bulk density, water retention) are

of great importance for the proper development of the plant since, once placed in the

containers; it is practically impossible to modify its initial physical parameters. Chemical

properties can be changed utilizing appropriate cultivation techniques. A growing

medium or substrate should be designed to maximize its water retention capacity and

good aeration. In conventional agriculture, a typical substrate mix highly depends on the

environment, climate, and water availability. For example, a usual potting mix is widely

used on city balconies because it has the necessary characteristics that a plant needs

to live. In vegetable gardens or growing beds, a mixture of mulch and organic fertilizers

from animal sources such as guano or vegetable sources such as compost is used.

According to Aggie-Horticulture, the substrate mixes used in greenhouses depend on

the type of plants being grown and the proportions that each plant needs. Greenhouse

growers consider the factors that determine the cost of a growing medium:

transportation, labor, equipment, materials, and handling. In addition, this substrate

must have some unique characteristics, such as a porous and well-drained soil, which

can retain enough moisture to meet the water needs of the plants between irrigations;

relatively low in soluble salts, a ground free of harmful soil pests such as pathogenic

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organisms, soil insects, nematodes and weed seeds. Often the soil found locally does

not comply with the above, from clayey, sandy, acidic, or loamy soils.

In conclusion, the growing medium is crucial depending on the type of plant to be

grown. However, there are many other factors, such as climate, water availability, and

environmental parameters. Some local growers often choose to use the existing local

soil because future plants or seedlings will be planted in soils with those parameters.

For example, in many parts of South America, the growing medium is improved by

adding nematode-free compost and rice husks. Still, the planting medium used in many

nurseries is the soil found locally. Fruit or forest nurseries use local soil to adapt the

trees to the local ground and avoid further plant stress.

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Work Cited

Growing Media - Ornamental Production Ornamental Production.

aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamental/greenhouse-management/growing-media.

Accessed 30 Sept. 2022.

Parra, Yoedil. “Los Sustratos: Funciones, Clasificación, Usos Y Desinfección.” Agronomaster,

15 Sept. 2017, agronomaster.com/sustratos/#:%7E:text=4%20Funciones%20que

%20cumple%20el%20Sustrato%20en%20las,de%20las%20ra%C3%ADces%20y%20de

%20toda%20a%20planta.

Carlos Cordova Assignment #5 AGRI 1415.51700