You stated you hate Rockwool because of pH fluctuations during the grow. Is that a characteristic of Rockwool ? And, what do you use to root your clones in. Thanks for info.
b0nger
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You stated you hate Rockwool because of pH fluctuations during the grow. Is that a characteristic of Rockwool ? And, what do you use to root your clones in. Thanks for info.
b0nger
I'm interested aswell?
Whats your take on rapid rooters?
When I clone I prefer to clone in Aeroponics.
If you Ph the rockwool at 5.2 for 24 hours first it is fine most of the time they say. I just find that for seedlings and even clones I gift that the jeffy peat pellets are great. You can gently rip away the mesh holding the peat moss together and soak them in water to wash away the peat moss. Then you can plant just the rooted clone in either hydro or dirt and not worry about overwatering the root ball or salt build up around the root ball when they are young.
So for me it's
Aeroponics cloner
or
Jiffy Peat Moss pelets
ROCKWOOL ROCKS!!!!!
rockwool is dummy proof for CLONING
and NOW you KNOWM
I have a pretty simple method for cloning that is about 90%.
I just take a 5 gallon bucket (can use one much smaller) and cut a bunch of holes in the top of it to fit the nice little neoprene round inserts that you can buy at a hydro shop (or you can use a pool noodle from walmart for $3). Then i just get the bucket bubbling like it is a DWC and take some cutting so the tips are just in the water. PH adjust the water and just let it go. It takes a little bit but it has worked every time.
Cheap, easy and little to no maintenance, now that is my style right there. LOL
If you want to know anything more detailed just ask away. It works great.
Aero is the best if you are willing to deal with it.
Rockwool is definitely easy but i don't want any rockwool in my system and i hate to buy medium all the time. I try to stay mediumless where possible.
cheapest way to clone pretty much 100% of the time that i have found is ooglebird's wick cloner, all you need is the bottoms out of a pair of two liter coke bottles, some string for the wick, perlite, rooting hormone, rockwool and clones.
bore a hole in one of the bottoms, take enough pieces of twine (about 12" long or so) to fill the hole pretty good, and tie a knot in the middle. pull the bundle of string up through the hole, fill it halfway with perlite (make sure you spread the string out into the perlite)
once you get your cuts dipped and put into rockwool, put your cubes in, loosely pack some perlite around the cubes. put some water in the bottom, and maybe go ahead and wet the perlite up top.
i only need 4 clones per run so i can fit more than enough in two cloners so that even if a couple croak i will have plenty to choose from. i find a humidity dome helps, especially to combat initial wilting. just be careful to avoid letting them go too long and getting roots tangled up into the string.
As long as you pre Ph balance it for 24 hours first and don't mind risking over watering young roots from wet bottoms and dry tops, then yes it rocks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Garden Knowm
Calling yourself a dummy for using it is a little harsh; I would not say you were a dummy for using it, just not the sharpest pencil in the box. :D
Clear as mud that is.......lol
Zandor says no way...........
G-Know says :thumbsup:
Latewood, would you care to offer an opinion as well ??
Looks like we need a tie breaker.
Zandor, I am wondering if that "gently pulling" the root ball technique stresses the young plants any ? Based on what I have read I thought the beauty of Rockwool was that you set the clone in the propagation tray in about 1/4 inch of pH'd water mixed with some cloning solution, cover first few days, spray with anti-wilt, etc and it takes it as needed thus eliminating the chance of overwatering.
I'll try both methods and see which I prefer. I guess my "best" method will be what I find to be the easiest and have the best success with. Thanks for the input folks.
b0nger
When I was a young "eager to please" grower I always PH balanced my rockwool.. 24 hours @ 5.0 and I would SAY that is the correct method..
Years later.. still young.. still eager... I realize it just is not necesary to ph balance the cubes.. simply watering the cubes with 6.0 water as needed is all the young cuttings require..
ALSO.. I never water the CUBES directly (except for the first watering/soaking)... i always fill the tray with 1/8 - 1/2 inch of water and let the cubes absorb the water from the bottom..
of course... i get 100% rooted!!! LOL ..... of course
Well you don't really pull there is no need. You take apart the netting that holds the peat moss and when you soak it in ph adjusted water it just like melts away and all you have is the clean roots ready for hydro or dirt farming.Quote:
Originally Posted by bongerstonerd00d
I am sure if you give them attention and care no matter how you grow they will be fine for you.
You just asked what I do and that is what and why I do what I do.
Plus; the young do not always do as they are told and must learn lessons the hard way. It's all part of growing up. ;)
What ya mean now. And HEY, I was young once and I resemble that remark;) Even tho it was 127 years ago..........lol
thanx again,
b0nger:thumbsup: