Learn why cultivators are choosing VidaWool™ growing media to meet the growing demands of their operations. Designed for consistency, precision and repeatability, and backed by science, VidaWool™ lets you cultivate with confidence.
Go Beyond Checking the Box:
A Checklist for Cultivating with ConfidenceGo Beyond Checking the Box:
Have you considered how your growing media contributes to plant quality, harvest consistency and ultimately your business’s bottom line? New growing media options offer an opportunity to enhance precision, consistency and quality. Don’t just check the box when it comes to growing media. Check out this quick-reference guide to evaluate options and inform the ideal media for your cultivating goals.
Growing Media Quick Comparison Guide
Growing Media Quick Comparison Guide
Growing media does much more than support plant health. The right media choice can contribute to operational efficiency, enhance yields, support environmental sustainability goals, and streamline labor and logistics. Given all that is at stake, growers are increasingly integrating growing media into their strategic business decisions.
As your cultivation strategy for 2022 gets underway, is it time to make a change in growing media? Here are some factors to evaluate:
3S’s – Source, Supply Chain, Support
Consider the source, the supply chain and the support behind the growing media as all these factors are essential for operational efficiency. Be sure to ask:
▢ Where is the growing media made – North America or offshore?
▢ Where are support centers located?
▢ Can I speak to a representative or is support delivered via the Internet?
▢ How stable and reliable is the supply chain?
▢ Are the raw materials used to make the growing media readily available?
▢ Can this growing media be scaled to meet operational needs?
▢ Is this growing media derived from sustainable and/or recycled sources?
Ease of use and labor savings
A tight labor market and employee turnover spotlight the need for a growing media that is easy to handle. Some questions to ask include:
▢ Is the process of using this growing media repeatable?
▢ Does the growing media have features that reduce error and variability?
▢ How simple is it to graduate plants from one stage to the next?
▢ Can new employees easily be trained on how to use the growing media?
▢ How does the growing media improve operational efficiency?
Precision plant performance
As every cultivator’s business is unique, growing media should be able to manage nuances such as water and nutrient distribution, placement and UV exposure. Some questions to ask include:
▢ Does this growing media support even distribution of water and nutrients?
▢ Can inputs be modified to optimize plant steerability?
▢ How does the growing media facilitate precise plant placement for even spacing?
▢ How vulnerable is this growing media to threats like pooling water, UV exposure, mold/mildew growth, pests and disease?
▢ Has the cultivation performance of this growing media been vetted by third-party research and experts?
Horticulture Growing Media Comparison
Horticulture Growing Media Comparison
| Coco Coir | Soil Potting Mix | Vidawool™ Mineral Wool | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water And Nutrient Dispersion | * * Loose structure promotes root growth and water/nutrient uptakeMay require mixing with other materials to optimize drainage/nutrients | * Naturally nutrient-richNutrients may be supplied slowly over time, requiring amendments | * * * Designed with Hydro-Xtend™ water dispersion technologyOffers even water dispersion and nutrient availabilityProvides predictable water retention |
| Labor Savings | * * pH neutralMay need to be pre-rinsed to reduce salt content | * Usually requires custom mixing | * * * Designed to work as a system for easy transplantation from stage to stageNo material mixing requiredMust be conditioned to proper pH before use |
| Repeatability/Error Reduction | * Loose material requires care in transplanting | * Mix content itself may veryNo pre-set planting guides | * * * Pre-drilled holes and pre-cut plant guides reduce guesswork |
| Efficient Water Use | * * Excellent wettabilityDecomposes during growing, affecting water retention | * Mixes can be hydrophobic | * * * Hydro-Xtend™ water dispersion technology prevents formation of dry zonesTight wrapping prevents pooling away from plant |
| Plant Steerability | * Additional nutrients may be required | * * Highly customizableMay require many inputs | * * * Inert material: customizable to your growth practices |
| Pest/Disease Resistance | * * Has some natural pest/disease-resistant propertiesAdditional chemical treatments can interfere with plant growth | * May require use of inoculants or bio controls due to susceptibility to pathogen growth | * * * Sterile material resists growth of mold/fungus and infestation |
| Sustainability of Material | * * Derived from natural materialReusableOverseas production and shipping increases transportation/fuel consumption | * * Derived from natural materialPeat content can affect sustainability profile | * * Made from minimum 70% recycled contentNorth American manufacture and distribution reduces transportation carbon footprintNot generally recycled or reused at end of life |
+Pros
* * *Most advantages
–Cons
*Least advantages
