Clay pebbles as a growing medium

In today’s article, you will learn what expanded clay, also known as hydroton, is and why it has become especially popular among growers involved in hydroponic plant cultivation.

• In growing practice, expanded clay appears in the form of balls or irregularly shaped granules made from expanded clay.
• The main advantage of all these clay balls and granules lies in their inert properties, so they are a growing medium that has no effect on pH or EC.
• You can also reuse really high-quality expanded clay, such as Plagron Euro Pebbles, without any problem, and even for several years! Of course, repeated use depends on regular cleaning of the substrate.
• Among the manufacturers of top-quality clay substrates are, in addition to the mentioned brand Plagron, also VitaLink and Canna (see below).
• VitaLink clay pebbles (pictured below) are characterised, compared with other products in this category, by a lower density while covering a larger area. They are exceptionally porous and retain water better (water retention capacity: 10%).

• The Czech manufacturer AGRO CS produces hydroton made from fired ceramic, with the clay first formed into balls and then fired at temperatures of 1,200 °C to obtain a strong and porous structure.
• For hydroponics or, for example, as a top decorative layer in a flowerpot, balls with a diameter of 8 to 16 mm are used.
• Expanded clay (hydroton) is also used as an additive to other substrates, especially soil mixes for self-watering pots from Autopot.
• Overall, expanded clay is excellent as a growing medium for all types of self-watering pots and planters, and you can also use it as a drainage layer if you grow plants in standard flowerpots.
• This inert medium is often used in recirculating hydroponic systems, such as the hydroponic systems Atami WILMA, because the plant takes only as many nutrients as it actually uses, which automatically leads to long-term savings on fertilisers and overall better nutrient management by the plant.

• If you are among experienced growers, you will certainly appreciate CANNA Aqua Clay Pebbles (the pack shown above) most of all among all hydroton packs - lightweight dried clay balls that allow you to influence nutrient application and plant moisture throughout the growing cycle. We recommend them for professional plant cultivation in closed hydroponic systems. There are also other advantages that every grower will appreciate:
  • low content of soluble salts
  • high permeability and airiness of the substrate
  • direct support for the development of the plant root system
  • an environment free from mould and diseases
  • neutral pH and stable values of solution electrical conductivity (EC)

• It is advisable to rinse CANNA Aqua Clay Pebbles before use.
• We recommend using this substrate in combination with Canna Aqua or Canna Hydro fertilisers.
• You will achieve even better growing results in combination with powerful supplements from the Canna brand. We recommend in particular the unique enzymatic preparation Cannazym, the root stimulator Rhizotonic, the flowering booster Cannaboost, or the supplementary fertiliser PK 13/14
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