rock woold cubes

[willow]

This is probably a really stupid question but should I take off the plastic wrapping on the rock cubes. The first ones I used did not have that plastic around it and they worked better. Thanks for your help. Willo

[The Student]

Hello,

I would suggest leaving the plastic around the cube. It helps to retain moisture.

Hope this helps.

Peace

[Closet Drifter]

I think you should remove the plastic because the plastic can incubate algae

Closet drifter

[heartsurgerysurviver]

remove the plastic and soak the cubes in ph balanced water over night, washing out once more [rinse off] before use
peace
heart

[bonbon]

I would suggest leaving the plastic around the cube. It helps to retain moisture.

the starter cubes only,since they will be placed in a permanent medium after the seed or cutting take hold,the wrap stays on the larger cubes to prevent the roots from growing out of the sides, and to train them to go downward,(i found this out the hard way).All rockwool should be soaked in a pH solution of 4.5 for 24hours to nutralize the high alkaline propertys that is has with a pH down liquid or a hydroponic bloom nutrient....bonbon

[willow]

I have small NFT system. I have a cloner that I start my clones or seeds in. The cloner runs water constantly over the rock wool cubes. The last time, which was my second crop, the rock wool started to get real yucky, it messed up the water and my clones never rooted. I keep the system clean , check the ph every day. I use hydroflush and salt leaching solution.
The cubes were slimy. Right now I have some seedlings going in the cloner and some plants in the nft system and they are doing better but I still have the plastic on the ones in the cloner. Should I take them off now? I still don't see any roots coming out of the bottom. That brings up another problem of roots. Last time the root mass was so big that it clog up my system. Is there anyway to control the roots whith out ruining the plants?
Sorry to ramble on. Thanks for your help.
Peace, Willow

[bonbon]

the reason the cubes form algae is because of the constant spray cycle.
reduce the cycle to one or two short waterings(about5 mins.)each. Rockwool holds a lot of moisture,and if the cubes are are soaked constantly,the roots will take too long or never grow out at all,let the cubes dry slightly in between cycles, so the cutting will be forced to seek water,hence,the roots will develop and the algae will be kept at minimal growth,hydrogaurd by general hydroponics will keep the gunk out of the system,in a NFT set-up,rockwool should just be used as a anchor for the root system to take hold,use small cubes and surround with hydroton....bonbon

[willow]

bonbon, thanks for your help. Can you tell me how to control the root mass problem. The last crop, the roots got so massive they blocked the water flow and not only did I have a water mess all over, but I think that the plants that were close to the water source got alot of the nutrients perhaps too much and the plants next in line didn't get enough. I cut away some of the roots but I was afraid that I would destroy the plants.

[bonbon]

just enough to stay away from the drain,with a single edged razor blade,about a 1/2 dose of superthrive will keep them from going into a shock....bonbon

[willow]

bonbon, thanks again for your help. I don't know what superthirve is, a nutrient?

[The Student]

Hello,

Willow - Here is a shot of a bottle of Superthrive.

Take it easy.

Peace

[willow]

thanks student, I really appreciate all the help. My plants are finally doing pretty good. I hope they make it, I've been without for a week now. Seems like a long time to me. Know what I mean?