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Which substrate slab is suitable for my cultivation?

It is important to know which type of cultivation you are planning in order to choose the proper substrate mat. Various substrates are available on the basis of these components. Each vegetation has its own needs and demands. Therefore one type of substrate mat does not fit all cultivation. It’s either a substrate that supports rapid root development of a plant or one that is fully controllable. There are also few substrates that can be used for multiple years. Royal Brinkman has a large selection of substrates.
Substrate
Martin Meuldijk
Specialist Crop Rotation | February 27, 2020 | 2 min. reading time

Greenhouse soil substrate 

A substrate is used in greenhouse cultivation as an artificial soil for plant growth. They are now an indispensable basis for the production of food and plants that make our lives greener, healthier and more enjoyable. A substrate is the key to higher production in horticulture, with more efficient use of water, energy and nutrients. For some crops, a raw material is used as a pure substrate and for other crops, a substrate mixture is used that is custom composed of e.g. peat and one or more other raw materials such as coir, wood fiber or rice husk.

Advantages of substrate mats

Substrates offer more control for adding nutrients and makes it easier to disinfect. The nutrients are supplied in liquid form, to which end there is a plant in the greenhouse to mix various nutrient components in the correct amounts. The substrate mats fit in well with the growing gutters and growing via substrate mats also saves you a lot of space, because everything grows in line with each other.

Recyclable and sustainable substrate options

Substrates are created from rock wool, a major advantage is that rock wool is recyclable. But nowadays plastics and natural materials are also used. Nowadays, sustainable growing is increasingly important, which is why more and more growers are using Precision Growing: a way of growing that has been developed by substrate manufacturer Grodan to grow in a sustainable way that also respects people and the environment.  

Install substrate mats

For each new cultivation cycle, it is more hygienic to use new substrate mats. It is important that the substrate mats are placed in the right way. Think for example about the distance, whether they are placed correctly and whether the drainage holes are made in the right place so that the excess irrigation water can drain away. Reusing substrate slabs is possible, but there are risks involved.  
Vegetable growing substrates
Ornamental cultivation substrates
Propagation nursery substrates
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Martin Meuldijk will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.

Which substrate slab is suitable for my cultivation?

It is important to know which type of cultivation you are planning in order to choose the proper substrate mat. Various substrates are available on the basis of these components. Each vegetation has its own needs and demands. Therefore one type of substrate mat does not fit all cultivation. It’s either a substrate that supports rapid root development of a plant or one that is fully controllable. There are also few substrates that can be used for multiple years. Royal Brinkman has a large selection of substrates.
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Martin Meuldijk
Martin Meuldijk
Specialist Crop Rotation | February 27, 2020 | 2 min. reading time
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Substrate

Greenhouse soil substrate 

A substrate is used in greenhouse cultivation as an artificial soil for plant growth. They are now an indispensable basis for the production of food and plants that make our lives greener, healthier and more enjoyable. A substrate is the key to higher production in horticulture, with more efficient use of water, energy and nutrients. For some crops, a raw material is used as a pure substrate and for other crops, a substrate mixture is used that is custom composed of e.g. peat and one or more other raw materials such as coir, wood fiber or rice husk.

Advantages of substrate mats

Substrates offer more control for adding nutrients and makes it easier to disinfect. The nutrients are supplied in liquid form, to which end there is a plant in the greenhouse to mix various nutrient components in the correct amounts. The substrate mats fit in well with the growing gutters and growing via substrate mats also saves you a lot of space, because everything grows in line with each other.

Recyclable and sustainable substrate options

Substrates are created from rock wool, a major advantage is that rock wool is recyclable. But nowadays plastics and natural materials are also used. Nowadays, sustainable growing is increasingly important, which is why more and more growers are using Precision Growing: a way of growing that has been developed by substrate manufacturer Grodan to grow in a sustainable way that also respects people and the environment.  

Install substrate mats

For each new cultivation cycle, it is more hygienic to use new substrate mats. It is important that the substrate mats are placed in the right way. Think for example about the distance, whether they are placed correctly and whether the drainage holes are made in the right place so that the excess irrigation water can drain away. Reusing substrate slabs is possible, but there are risks involved.  
Vegetable growing substrates
Ornamental cultivation substrates
Propagation nursery substrates
Contact form
Can't find your answer? Fill out the contact form and our specialist Martin Meuldijk will get back to you. On weekdays, even within 24 hours.
Martin Meuldijk
Also interesting for you
What is the difference between cultivation on Rockwool substrate and cultivation on cocopeat?
The difference between rockwool and cocopeat is the raw material from which the substrate mat is made.
How do you install new substrates in a greenhouse?
In many cases, a new crop cycle starts with a new substrate, as this is more hygienic than reusing existing substrate mats. 
What are the risks of reusing substrate mats?
During crop rotation, most growers choose to practically empty the entire greenhouse, as well as remove the substrate mats.