HYDROTON VS ROCKWOOL

[mike024]

Hello All!! So I just cropped my 7 test plants from my 4x4 ebb and flow table and Im gettin ready to fill the table up and make the big push. I used 6 inch square pots and hydroton the first time but didnt quite get the size i wanted. Possibly from algae or the light hitting the roots but Im trying to decide whether to use rockwool 4 inch cubes this time or stick with the hydroton and pots. I wanted to use my ez cloner but it doesnt seem you can do that and go to 4 inch rockwool. The debate is that I can fit 100 4 inch blocks in the table sog style or 64 6 inch pots sog style. If you guys could give me some advise or opinions on which medium/cloning style seems most successful Id really appreciate it. Ill be honest I want to go with rockwool but Im not too confident in my rockwool cloning skills...The EZ cloner works so much easier and faster tho so Im kinda torn. Look forward to getting some feedback and thanks a lot everyone!!!!!

mike024 Reviewed by mike024 on 03-30-2007. HYDROTON VS ROCKWOOL Hello All!! So I just cropped my 7 test plants from my 4x4 ebb and flow table and Im gettin ready to fill the table up and make the big push. I used 6 inch square pots and hydroton the first time but didnt quite get the size i wanted. Possibly from algae or the light hitting the roots but Im trying to decide whether to use rockwool 4 inch cubes this time or stick with the hydroton and pots. I wanted to use my ez cloner but it doesnt seem you can do that and go to 4 inch rockwool. The Rating: 5

[LOC NAR on probation]

Stay with what you know for now man. Try out some drip or DWC on the side. You will change over to those once you see the harvest and size you can get. Your always going to have those problems with ebb and flow no matter what you do. Just my advice. Lets hear from the big guy's

[oldsanclem]

Have used flood and drain for decades , hydrocorn or granit 3/8.
When you plant your plants put black plastic over the exposed roots and rocks/rockwool. This stops the groth of stuff. Plus it keeps the RH lower and you use less water.
I use thick trash industrial bags for the home supply.
With the exposed area of 32 4.5 gallon buckets , that a lot of area.
Note my tank is also light tight to prevent light from getting in the resivore.
On you next grow bleach the hell out of things and start with a algie free system

[mike024]

Thanks for the advice I picked up some rockwool cubes today and Im soaking them now Im gonna try it rockwool style for now Im just scared as hell I dont want to waste 100 clones...Ive been able to get about 15 to live and thrive on my last one but idk im nervous about it.

Im thinking I can clean the res out completely and then fill the table about 3 inches with bleach/water mix and scrub it out then let it dry during the dark cycle overnight...should I let it go thru the pump or not?
If anyone has any suggestions with cloning feel free to share please. Ive read quite a bit in the faqs and boards but everyone seems to be real big on dwc cloning and that isnt an option for my application or budget at this time so im starting with the basic 7 inch dome and a 50 plug insert with rockwool soaking in phd water of 5.3 right now....My main concern is after I cut them I always think the cubes are getting too dry and I think i keep it too moist...I plan to cut them and use rootech in the mini blocks from bcuzz and use some moisture cloth under the cube tray. Ive read that I should leave the dome sealed for the first three days and then on day 4 prop the hood up on one side so air gets in and use some root stimulater mixed with 6.2 water to re wet the moisture cloth. Does this sound like a good plan? Anyone have any better schedules for me? Im really shooting for 100 good rooted clones with roots busting out all over so this is extremely important. Sorry I rambled so long on this I appreciate all your help!!!

[LOC NAR on probation]

Sounds like oldsanclem's got you covered. Good advice. Your cloning sounds good you should be getting nearly 100 % with the way your going. Just try not to over water. I put mine in 1 inch rockwool cubes with rootech under fluro light and just barely keep them moist. A lite spray of antiwilt and no dome and get 99% easy. The light keeps them warm. Good luck.

[mike024]

LOC thanks for the support I appreciate it...I cut 22 yesterday and they have been looking ok I guess...some variations I didnt mention before is that I did use a light mist of no wilt but I am using a dome for the first few days..I got talked into using a heat mat as well...I have some good condensation on the walls of the dome and I cleaned it out earlier...my main concern at this point is that the clones are fallen over and droopy but still green and healthy looking, should i be concerned about this? Im gonna cut another 80 or so tommorow and start another tray in the hopes I am successful. Lemme know if anyone thinks I shd be concerned that about 5 of my 22 clones are droopy...Thanks again for all the support and help everyone!!

[LOC NAR on probation]

They maybe too warm. You don't want to cook them. I never used a dome but just a warm place. Mine wanted to try out, so I had to keep them moist.