Expanded clay

Expanded clay, fired clay balls, are suitable for hydroponic cultivation as an inert medium or as a bottom drainage layer for flower pots when growing in soil.

Inert expanded clay has been used in agriculture and cultivation since the 1930s. Expanded clay is made up of fired clay balls of various sizes and shapes. It has an above-average lifespan and can serve for several years without any problems if used properly and flushed regularly.

The disadvantage of expanded clay is that it does not retain moisture. Therefore, it is not suitable for open, run-to-waste systems. However, in recirculating systems, such as Wilma from Nutriculture, they are in great demand and cultivation is successful with them. On the other hand, in automatic irrigation systems Autopot, where the watering runs off, it is recommended to use expanded clay only as part of the growing mixture.

Experienced growers have certainly known for a long time that expanded clay can be used as a drainage layer at the bottom of a flower pot, when growing in coconut or soil.