Hydrobed® : A clean substratum for semi-perennial crops

Fenocol has gained extensive experience in the field of types of media to be used to promote the preservation of cut flowers and the dissemination of crops of different species. Based on its expertise, Fenocol has developed a substratum that features as one of its key properties the ability to retain moisture for cut flowers and to maintain stability in crops. This substratum is called Hydrobed®
  
  Properties:
It is a sterile medium
It features a high capacity for storing water and fertilizers
Its heterogeneous structure leads to optimal drainage
It is a clean substratum, free from impurities and phytotoxic substances
Disinfection of this medium is not required

Its stable structure prevents the substratum from breaking down easily, i.e., it prevents the elements in the substratum from separating
Use of this substratum leads to use of less pesticide.
The medium presents a slow rate of decomposition
It maintains a constant supply of water and nutrients to plants during all of their various phases of development
A high percentage of water is made easily available to the plants
It creates a stable environment for plant roots
It standardizes the production of radicle biomass
It fosters an outstanding water to air ratio
It provides excellent anchoring and support for the plants
It holds optimal capacity for working as a buffer
It is widely and constantly available
It requires only minimum replacement throughout the cultivation of crops
This medium maintains its structure stable for over 10 years
It avoids a concentration of high levels of moisture.
It promotes high levels of capillary action
It yields plants with enhanced quality
It has a low cost.
It triggers a higher pace in production

Furthermore, the key factor here is that this substratum provides enough space in the radicle mass for the plants’ roots to grow, which enables the plants to adequately store oxygen and leads to an ideal balance between air and water.
USE OF THE SUBSTRATUM IN HYDROPONICS

1. LOCATION IN THE BEDS

Hydrobed® is sold commercially in units of cubic meters and it can be found on the market in bags of 0.2 m3, chopped up in a non-uniform manner in chunks measuring, in average, 5 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm or in special sizes, tailored to meet each client’s needs.

Put this substratum in the areas to be used for cultivation (containers, trenches, beds for planting, furrows, etc.) and immediately water it enough for it to become entirely soaked up. Then, sow the vegetal material (seeds) and carry on with the activities of cultivation that the specific species of plant requires.

2. DISINFECTION

Hydrobed® consists of 100% sterile material that, therefore, does not require disinfection. Neither is it advisable to shower it with fungicides if it is in the form of powder to which water is added. This can lead to clogging up the capillaries of the substratum, which, in turn, can result in damage to the radicle biomass.


A SIMPLE WAY TO USE Hydrobed®

First, place the medium in the area where the plants will be cultivated

Next, place the vegetal material to be grown over the medium.

Finally, cover the vegetal material with Hydrobed®