Cultiwool Mapito 80L Bag — Premium Loose-Fill Hydroponic Growing Medium
Best for: Hydroponic growers wanting superior aeration and nutrient control without the hassle of traditional rockwool slabs
Our thoughts
Mapito sits in that sweet spot where you get better oxygenation than rockwool, easier handling than slabs, and proper nutrient retention without overcomplicating things. One a lot of serious hydro growers switch to once they've used it. Worth trying if you're tired of wrestling with rigid rockwool.
Cultiwool Mapito is a loose-fill growing medium blending shredded rockwool fibres with polyurethane foam flakes, designed to give your roots exactly what they need: excellent air-to-water balance, consistent nutrient uptake, and freedom from waterlogging. Unlike traditional rockwool slabs, this 80L bag gives you flexibility — fill pots, adjust density, reuse across multiple cycles. It's the substrate choice for growers who want precision without the faffing about.
How it compares
Mapito sits between rigid rockwool slabs and fully organic alternatives.
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vs. Rockwool slabs: Better aeration, easier to manipulate plants, lighter handling, typically requires less nutrient
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vs. Coco coir: Superior drainage control, more stable pH without constant buffering, reusable without breakdown
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vs. Clay pellets: Better moisture retention, finer root contact, superior nutrient absorption
The key difference: you get rockwool performance with the ease of a loose medium. That matters.
Usage guidance
System compatibility
Works reliably in ebb and flow, NFT, drip irrigation, and recirculating systems. Particularly effective in GHE AquaFarm and WaterFarm setups.
Pre-use preparation
Rinse thoroughly to reduce initial EC. Stabilise pH to 5.5 before first planting — start with a light nutrient solution and low EC so roots feed properly from day one. This step takes 20 minutes and makes all the difference.
Filling and planting
Fill pots or net pots to your desired density. Insert cuttings or rootcubes and water in lightly. Maintain consistent feeding and avoid letting the medium fully dry between cycles.
Reuse and sterilisation
Can be flushed and reused for multiple growing cycles with proper hygiene protocols. This is one of Mapito's genuine cost advantages — you're not binning it after one run.
Technical specifications
- Volume: 80 litres per bag
- Composition: Blended rockwool fibres and polyurethane foam flakes
- Air-to-water ratio: Superior to traditional rockwool (18%+ air space)
- Saturation: Excellent saturation and re-saturation properties
- Drainage profile: Slow, steady drainage — allows precise crop manipulation
- pH stability: Requires pre-treatment to 5.5 pH range
- Initial EC: Reduce with pre-rinse; start feeding at low EC
- Reusability: Multiple cycles with sterilisation
- Bag dimensions: Height 63cm | Length 17cm | Width 14cm
- Weight: Approximately 14–16kg per bag
Who this is for
- Serious hydroponic growers transitioning from rigid rockwool slabs
- Anyone running ebb and flow or NFT systems wanting better root control
- Commercial operators seeking bulk growing media with reuse potential
- Growers comparing sustainable alternatives to single-use substrates
- Those wanting to reduce nutrient requirements without compromising yields
Our take
Mapito closes the gap between precision and practicality. You get rockwool-grade performance with noticeably better aeration, easier plant manipulation, and lower nutrient overhead. It's not the cheapest substrate, but the combination of control, reusability, and consistency makes it solid value for serious growers.
End-of-line stock on this one, so you're getting proper kit at a much lower price than usual. Worth picking up while clearance stock lasts.
