Established in 2016, Tropicoco is a division of Tropical Co., Ltd. based in Vietnam. For years, the company has been supplying natural and high-quality growing mediums to customers. In this article, let’s find out all the benefits that Tropicoco’s growing media can bring to urban agriculture. 

An overview of growing media 

Before further introducing you to the uses and advantages, Tropicoco will first explain the concept of growing media as well as how you can select the best one for your plants. 

What does growing media mean?

Growing media is the material that plants grow within. In traditional cultivation, people mostly use soil as the growing medium. However, in hydroponics, the option is not limited to just soil. You may have heard of some standard growing media like sand, gravel, peat moss, perlite or vermiculite.

Still, you would be surprised to know that there are limitless growing media around us. Even the air can be used as an effective growing media for the roots. Choosing a suitable growing medium for your plants is an important task because it will determine the growth and quality of your yield. 

What makes an ideal growing medium? 

An ideal growing medium should be well-drained while also retaining sufficient water to reduce the frequency of watering. It should also be free of weeds and diseases. Another factor to pay attention to is that it should be heavy enough to prevent frequent tipping over, but not too heavy as it can limit handling. 

A good growing medium for plants should consist of both inorganic and organic components. Some of the inorganic components are perlite, vermiculite, builder’s (coarse) sand, and weathered granite. Meanwhile, popular organic components include peat moss, coir (coconut fibre), pine bark, and compost. 

Also, Pine bark used in a growing mix should be small, with particles no larger than 3/8-inch diameter. The proportion needed to mix growing mediums can vary depending on the availability, cost, crop to be grown, and container size.

How to select the best growing medium?

Because every plant is unique, it is important to select a growing medium that will cater to the needs of your plants and growing system. Some main factors that you should consider are: 

• Drainage: certain plants like palms prefer sandy, well-draining soil. Meanwhile, others like hosta grow well in heavier clay soil. For this reason, the drainage system plays a big role in your plants’ future growth. 

• pH level: Every plant has its own preferences for pH level. For example, magnolias and gardenias prefer acidic soil, while lavender and honeysuckle grow better in alkaline soil.

• Nutrients: All plants need nutrients, which would be delivered by your growing medium. However, you must first identify what your needs are. Ask yourself this question: Do you need a hydroponic medium that will efficiently provide nutrients through the water or a medium like compost that already contains the nutrients you need?

Choosing the right growing medium for your plants allows your garden to thrive. Luckily, you can always find the perfect growing media at Tropicoco! 

Common uses of Tropicoco growing media

Nowadays, it is necessary to use Tropicoco’s growing medium in urban agriculture. Based on your needs and preferences, you will determine how the media can be used in your garden. Here are some of the useful applications that the growing media of Tropicoco can offer to you: 

Container gardening

Potting soil is commonly used for container gardening. It is often a blend of several types of growing media, including perlite, vermiculite, and peat. With Tropicoco premium growing medium, your plants will certainly grow in the fastest and healthiest way possible. 

Outdoor gardening

Even though growing media are less critical in outdoor gardening, there are still some amendments that can significantly improve your yard’s soil. It is often best to add two to three portions of topsoil and mix it with the existing soil. Typically, topsoil contains many types of growing media, such as sand, compost, and wood fibre. 

Hydroponic gardening

Although hydroponic gardening is a soilless gardening attempt, it still requires growing medium to help secure the plant’s roots better. Popular hydroponic growing media nowadays usually include coco coir, expanded clay pellets, and rice hulls. Then, people would often mix these soilless media with perlite or vermiculite. 

Advantages of using Tropicoco growing media

One major benefit of using Tropicoco’s growing medium is that it eliminates the threat of weeds, soil-borne diseases, and pests. It also allows you to have total control over the growing environment. This includes the temperature, moisture, oxygen levels as well as nutrients. Besides that, the growing medium of Tropicoco helps support the plants’ weight and hold it upright effectively. 

If you are interested in buying, contact Tropicoco down below for more details. The company guarantees to deliver the best product and service to you all year round. 

Contact information

Tropicoco – The best substrate

Address: No.20 Ngan Long Villa, Nguyen Huu Tho Street, Nha Be District, Ho Chi Minh City

Email: giathe@tropical.vn

Hotline: +84 983230879

Open Hours: Mon-Sat: 8.00AM-5.00PM; Sunday: Closed