Fytocell?

Saerimmner

Well-Known Member
Before anyone has a pop i know this is a duplicate thread but after nearly 100 views no-one has even commented on it in general growing

Well today i put in an order for some coco,nutrients etc and while i was chatting to the bloke at the hydro store asked him if he had perlite I could add to my order and although he doesnt sell it he has just started stocking something thats supposed to be a perlite replacement called FYTOCELL, apparently its a man-made spun fibre or something and was just wondering if anyone on here had ever had any dealings with it as he is going to include a free 25litre sample in my order for me to try out!
Apparently horticulturists have been using it for years but hydro growers havent picked up on it yet??

Any info anyone can give me would be appreciated

FYTOCELL-



• Optimum air/water ratio throughout the growing medium
• Encourages development of many finely branched roots – improving uptake of water and nutrients
• Ensures excellent oxygen content throughout the root zone
• Good capillary action ensures water is available throughout the slab or bag
• Easy water management – almost impossible to over-wet
• Easy to re-wet
• Biodegradable and compostable - easier to dispose of
• Makes fertigation management very easy

Air / Water Ratio
Because of its structure Fytocell provides a near perfect air / water ratio at all times, encouraging the development of many finely branched roots - enabling better uptake of water and nutrients. The result is stronger, healthier plants and improved yields.

Oxygen
Oxygen is as vital to healthy root development as water and nutrients. The open cell structure of Fytocell ensures good oxygen content throughout the slab or flake bag – even when Fytocell is saturated. Before Fytocell it was easy to add water to a substrate – but far more difficult to add oxygen!

Good Capillary Action
The good capillary action of Fytocell means that water is drawn up to the top of the slab or flake bag – encouraging feeder roots to develop throughout the whole substrate.

Easy Water Management
Fytocell is grower-friendly. It is impossible to over-wet. Even when a slab or bag is saturated the Fytocell structure ensures there is sufficient air for healthy root growth so there is never a need to dry Fytocell out in order to oxygenate the substrate.

Should Fytocell dry out for any reason, re-wetting is simple and trouble-free.

Biodegradable and Compostable
Fytocell is an aminoplast. It is harmless to the environment and is biodegradable and compostable – making disposal easier and helping to meet the “green” requirements of many major buying organisations.

Perfect for Salads
Fytocell is the perfect substrate for tomato, cucumber and pepper crops grown under glass and can be supplied in either bagged slab or flake bags.




website for FYTOCELL http://www.hortifeeds.co.uk/product_...to_salads.html
 

Saerimmner

Well-Known Member
some bits n bobs/links ive managed to find out about fytocell:

A couple of the manufacturers notes on fytocell -
It is actually made from an amino plast resin. It is sterile and Ph neutral.
Water holding capacity - 60%
Air volume throughout depth of medium - 37%
100% bio-degradable.
Flush easily.
Can be added to soil to help retain moisture.
Almost impossible to overwater

water retention:Rockwool - Dry 2.6g ; Wet 36.5g
Coco - Dry 7.6g ; Wet 35.2
Fytocell - Dry 3.4g ; Wet 18.1g

water retention after 4 days:
Rockwool - 34.5g
Coco - 33.3g
Fyto - 16.5g
So the rockwool has lost 2g, the coco 1.9g, and the fyto 1.6g

Latest data -

R/W - 24.1g
Coco - 23.4 g
Fyto - 7.5g

Total loss since the last data
R/W - 10.4g
Coco - 9.9g
Fyto - 9.0g


Total loss since test initiation -
R/W - 12.4g
Coco - 11.8g
Fyto - 10.6g
While the water retention is not much better than rockwool or coco, it does seem to have a benefit. That is, it is much lighter in weight than either r/w or coco, and therefore would provide better aeration/air capacity in the actual medium. This is extremely beneficial.

the overall length of water retention is the same. But the fytocell does have a greater retention rate. It took about 1/2 the volume of water to saturate the medium, but dried in the same amount of time as the coco.
This would equate to less feedings, and less nutrient use over the course of a grow.


On the flip side of that same coin, it does not store as much volume of nutrient solution. To me, that would mean increased feedings in comparison to coco or r/w. However, I think it would in fact require less feedings than the traditional perilite/vermiculite used in the hempy's, while providing just as good aeration in the medium.






FytoClone - Fytocell Cloning Tray



Get Rooted with FytoClone. Starting a plant has never been so easy. Just add water, light and warmth. FytoClone encourages large numbers of roots to grow. FytoClone is sterile and provides a well balanced environment with an excellent ratio of air to water. This results in pure white, quality roots. Hormone gel or powder is optional.

> The watering regime for Fytocell in general is very flexible due to its “can not be overwatered tag”. Fytocell will perform in perlite, coir, sawdust or rockwool irrigation systems. You know when the maximum water holding capacity has been reached when you see excess water coming out the bottom, commonly called run off.
> Fytocell should be fully saturated before the plants are placed in FytoFlake or on FytoSlab. As with all substrates there may be a tendency for water to be drawn out of the plant block or cube if the medium is not saturated. Do not cut your plant block or cube into the slab any deeper than 10mm. If using a small plug, make sure that the top of the plug is at least10mm higher than the surface of FytoFlake.
> FytoFlake is packed on volume. Some bags may feel slightly heavier than others. Do not be concerned,
the only difference is the dryness of the foam after we have treated it. In other words some foam may already have 5-10% moisture in it. If FytoSlab breaks, just push it together and you will still grow a strong and healthy plant.
> Fytocell is environmentally safe and due to the fact that it is sterile, it does not contain soil borne bacteria.
 

Saerimmner

Well-Known Member
Now ive added the extra info is anyone able to give me advice on whether or not to use it in my next grow? (next grow in coco with canna nutes)
 

suTraGrow

Well-Known Member
Dam ive been looking for fytocell for over a year now. Even talked to my hydroponics stores about them and they still havent gotten any because of the amount you have to order from wholesale. Its from australia i know Al B Fuct uses it in his SOG set up and says nothing but good things about it. I everything i heard to good things and im still hopeing to get some very soon.
 

Saerimmner

Well-Known Member
problem is though i cant find any advice on how to use/prepare it or even how much to use so im at a loss, hopefully there will be instructions on it when it arrives today
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
Interesting. I looked into this stuff years ago as a replacement for perlite. I then decided that coco didn't need anything added and have been growing in 100% coco ever since with excellent results.
 

getogrow

Well-Known Member
Interesting. I looked into this stuff years ago as a replacement for perlite. I then decided that coco didn't need anything added and have been growing in 100% coco ever since with excellent results.
100% coco , interesting.......
 
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