 |
|
|
| Sparing and caring |
|
Growing hydroponically literally “got off the ground” some thirty years ago. Globally, it was apparent that intensive agriculture over a period of time was taking its toll in the environment. There was an urgent need for an alternative and it was no longer acceptable for growers to pollute the soil with poisonous materials.
Grodan hydroponic cultivation, answers that need for an alternative method of growing. The discovery of how to grow produce on a mineral wool new avenue for horticulture and the development of mineral wool as an ideal growing medium has actually led to Grodan products being the world’s most ideal substrate. In more than fifty countries, Grodan is used by growers, to achieve optimum result. |
|
|
The discovery of mineral wool
Grodan came up with the ideal alternative for soil less cultivation: mineral wool, spun out of volcanic stone. Mineral wool was discovered by scientists in Hawaii in 1850 when they discovered stone threads which had been created by Mauna Loa’s volcano eruptions.
This was the type of thread which years later would form the basis for the mineral wool such as that incorporated by Grodan in its substrate solutions. The properties of mineral wool make it ideally suited as a growing medium for plants.
What the scientist could not have foreseen in 1850 was that their discovery would bring about such huge changes in plant growing nearly one and a half century later. Today, plant around the world such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, roses and gerbera are grown largely on mineral wool. |
The advantages of mineral wool as a substrate
It has already been noted that mineral wool has properties making it especially ideal for cultivating plants. Here is a brief overview of its most notable properties: - A perfect clean and disease-free start
Mineral wool is produced at a temperature of 1500 degrees centigrade, making it hygienic and naturally free fungus, bacteria and weed seeds. There is no need for sterilization and the use of plant protection materials can be kept to a minimum.
- Perfectly manageable
Alongside its clean and disease-free start, mineral wool allows the grower to exercise far more control over top growth. As a result, the grower can determine exactly how much water and nutrients the plants need to achieve optimum growth. Surplus water or an excess of nutrients are contained in a closed system, and so can be used afresh after disinfection. Wastage is no longer an issue.
- Entirely recyclable
Grodan has excellent solutions for used mineral wool. Recycled mineral wool is used as the base material for bricks or as a compost it can be used in potting soil or in soil improvement.
|
|
|
|
