Rockwool and Seed Starting

[meandmine]

This is my first time using rockwool. When using rockwool do I need to use the paper towel method to crack the seed or will the seed crack and orient it's self correctly in the rock wool?

[disrupt86]

no its not,some people prefer to use the towels to make sure that a tap root emerges then sightly rip the rw little and set it in there,its personal preference

[LOC NAR on probation]

What size or shape of rockwool ?

we like 1 inch cubes, per soak overnight in PH water. Sling the water out of them like a paint brush your cleaning. Put a small hole in the top and put seed in. Cover with rockwool. Some peeps like to put the seed a certain way, It's in the faq somewhere. Put in a warm place and keep moist not soaking wet. A few drop now and then if drying out.

I only do this because of the damage you can do to root when moving. Don't get me wrong I have done the paper towel many times.

[martyrprojekt]

In my current grow this method got 16 of 20 seeds to crack and sprout. Of those, all of my 16 girls (PRAYING TO GOD for this to be true) are alive and strong. Even after a lighting error in the beginning of my grow.

GERMINATE YOUR SEEDS!

1.) I put the seeds in a cup of distilled water. Not a large cup, shot glass size or a glass sifter is usually cool.

2.) I then place the glass in a cabinet above my stove and surround it with a large towel so that light can not get into the cup.

3.) Put your rapid rooter cubes into distilled water...let them soak until it is time to check on the seeds...

4.) Wait 24 hours and then check on them...if they have popped or cracked...I will then place them into rapid rooter cubes.

Any seeds that have not popped or cracked with get another 5-8 hours in water before I will give it one last effort with the paper towel method. I do not use paper towels unless I absolutely have to. Because of the current recession the quality of this product is not consistent and can ruin your seeds. I have seen companies, like brawny, go from great product to utter shit. I have recently seen a few grows where the paper towels stick together and jack up seeds. The Bush Presidency continues to Jack us growers up!

(Side note: I bought the rapid rooter full tray with vented hood to make it easier for me to put the sprouting plants in a dark, warm, and humid place.)

Prepare your growing medium!

1.) Get an exactoknife or pair of scissors and your rapid rooter cubes.

2.) Push the razor tip through the seed hole already put in the cube by the manufacturer. Go only about a 1/4 inch down...about halfway from the bottom of the seed cavity is where you should stop. Then place rooting seed with tweezers (root down) and place it into your cut area.

3.) I then mist the hood of my rapid rooter tray with distilled water and place them in a dark, warm, and dry place for 24 hours.

4.) Check on your plants after the 24 hours is up and check to see how the plants are doing. If all have sprouted...keep the hood on and add your CFL, T5, or LED lights to your seedlings...18/6 cycle is best.

5.) I will again mist my hood, and mist my tray from about 1 foot away.

6.) If you have a couple seeds not sprouting yet...don't stress it. Put them back in the dark for 6 hours...If they still have not sprouted after 6 hours...put it under lights anyways (I have seen many seeds just wanting to get some lights on them before they crack.

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Hope this helps and Happy Growing! :hippy:

-Martyr Projekt

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[sneekymofo]

I prefer to direct seed into RW (as described by martyrprojekt) but I've used paper towels also. Sometimes the tap root does something goofy in the RW and the bean never manages to push its head out. Most of the times it does. Sometimes the paper towel gets the tap roots embedded in it, most of the time it doesn't. This may be a 6 one way, half-a-dozen the other kind of thing. Get comfortable with a way and stick it out (especially if your seeds are on the expensive side.....).

[tinytoon]

Hey Loc you should try rapid rooters bro!! they work real sweet and can be used in any system that you would use RW in :thumbsup: