What is substrate and what is it used for?

Substrate is the soil substitute that we use in plant pots and other planting containers. It is a material that is different to soil, but that aims to simulate its properties with regard to plants; that is, to provide support and sustenance for the complete establishment of the plants.

Also included in this definition of inert substrate are the materials used in hydroponic crops including, among others, substrates such as coco coir, rock wool, perlite and vermiculite. It is important to know that, since they are inert, they need to be fertilised to feed the plants.

Active substrates?

In addition to these sterile substrates, there is also another kind of substrate that, apart from fixing plants in place, also intervenes directly in the feeding of the plants. We're talking about active substrates, which mainly consist of organic material from both plant and animal sources.

In both cases, in order for plants to be able to develop their full structure in a healthy manner, the starting substrate needs to satisfy a series of conditions that occur naturally in soil. With this in mind, it's worth mentioning that there are certain types of highly specialised plants that may require a substrate with equally specific characteristics. But in general, a good substrate is one that is able to provide a large quantity of nutrients with a suitable texture and pH.

The right combination of these three variables ensures a substrate that is as similar to the soil or Mother Earth as possible and gives the plants the best possible conditions for growth in our plant pots or garden.

How can I encourage plants to grow strong and healthy?

Start by having a structure that allows for a constant supply of air for the correct oxygenation of the roots and the microbial life. It should also be able to retain water so that it can stay moist for a long time, while also enabling drainage to avoid waterlogging. Lastly, it must have low levels of conductivity and a suitable pH for the proper assimilation of nutrients.

So that you don't have to worry about any of this, at Meliflor we've taken all of these considerations into account when creating our substrates. Although, if you think it's appropriate, remember that you can also combine our products to achieve the mixtures necessary for the living conditions of your plants.