Hydroponic Medium

Hydroponic medium for active systems

In an AutoPot, EasyFeed or DWC-fed system, your medium is not feeding the plant, it is anchoring roots and managing how much air reaches them between waterings. That is a different job to soil, which is why growers running active systems reach for inert or semi-inert media instead. Grodan propagation cubes (£11.95) and transplanting cubes (from £3.50) are the standard route from clone to system: rockwool that drains fast and holds enough air around the roots to stop them drowning between feeds.

Choosing a mix for your system

For pot-based systems like AutoPot, a coco/perlite blend such as Plagron Coco Perlite 70/30 (£13.75) or Gold Label HydroCoco 60/40 (£13.95) holds enough moisture between gravity top-ups while still draining freely, and works well in the AutoPot's non-return valve base. Straight perlite (from £6.95) is the cheapest way to open up drainage in any mix, or to fill smaller net pots on its own. Match the medium to how often the system waters: less frequent feeding needs a mix with more moisture retention.

See our AutoPot systems and deep water culture ranges for the systems these media are built for, and the feeding in coco guide if you are running a coco-based mix. Free UK delivery over £50 and free Wembley pickup. Call 020 3488 0419 for advice.