1. Plant growth
What do plants grow in?

2. Most plants need something for their
roots to grow in.
This is what we are going to look at now.
At the end of this you should:
Know why plants need something to grow in
Be able to discuss the different substances plants can grow in

3. Growing conditions for plants
What do plants need to grow well?
Water, nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide
How do plants get these?
Many of them come from the substance that the roots are growing in, which is very often soil

4. Loam What is loam? Loam is good garden soil.
This will provide a good structure to anchor
roots, provide oxygen for root cells and nutrients such as minerals for growth

5. Soil substitutes When growing plants by seed or cuttings
soil substitutes are often used.
The most common of these is compost.
But there are other types of soil substitute.
Why do you think this is?
If possible you should research the different
types of soil substitute and produce a leaflet or poster explaining the differences.

6. Soil substitutes
Soil substitutes are designed to provide
the growing conditions needed by the
plant.
It depends mainly on the type of plant.
Environmental factors also have an
influence, such as sustainability

7. Compost Compost is a commonly used soil substitute
It usually contains:
Sand or perlite (for drainage)
Peat or an alternative (to retain water)
Fertiliser (to provide nutrients for growth)
Different types of compost contain different
proportions of these, depending on what the
compost is being used for.
(If you have time you could research the different
types of compost)

8. Quiz
Why do plants need something to grow in?
What are the different types of substances plants can be grown in?
Why are there a number of different types of substances plants can be grown in?
What are the 3 main components of compost?
Why are they put into the compost?