rockwool or other?

[stinkyattic]

If you were just going to use the RW as plugs, you can try rapidrooters instead. Those work better to start clones and even seeds IMHO.

stinkyattic Reviewed by stinkyattic on 10-12-2007. rockwool or other? I havnt seen anything else about this or maybe I wasn't looking in the right places. is there anything else that can be used instead of rockwool. I have to order rockwool and have other stuff availible in my area. I have everything else set up and ready to go but need either rockwool or another medium. anything else that I can use with ok results? thanks Pudder Rating: 5

[hbbusa28]

Got to be honest guys. I've been through 3-4 grows with rockwool and I'm starting my 5th. Not an expert by any means, but I have not had many problems. It is true that the Rockwool PH moves around a bit. Espeally the later you get in the grow. But it is not hard to control. Just messsure your run off, and make sure it is balanced with your res. Doesn't take long. I think I need to adjust my PH once every other day in the early delvelopment but more like twice a day in later stages. Could be a pain, but Rockwool has been good to me.

Just keep your eye on it.

[Illusion]

hbbusa, the PH of the rockwool shifts around... does this change the reservoir PH? or what do you mean... How can you test the PH of the rockwool itself.. forgive my newbie question

what do you mean measure the run-off?

[xcrispi]

Yeah I only have a 1x250 watt HPS.... Im broke and have to make it work with 6 plants (I know that about impossible) CFL Supplement lighting for me, eh?

xcrispi- Do you exclusively grow in hydroton- What to you start the seedlings in/germ them in?

more info, like crispi said

Hey Ill.
I start beans in 2 in. rockwool starter cubes - the ones w/o a wrapper around them . Or I recently tried rapid rooters but didn't have as much luck w/ them. <- = my fault for keepin em too wet - they hold shitloads of water .

Once theres enought roots popin outa the cube to make me happy they go in hydroton . I can run drippers 24/7 and not overwater w/ hydroton .
Peace
Crispi :stoned:

[hbbusa28]

Well I just realized that you weren't growing fully in Rockwool like I do. But to answer your question, I start my seeds in 1" rockwool cubes. Once roots start to fully come out of the bottom, I switch them to 6" rockwool cubes and add my drippers.

I have a 8 gallon bucket that I use as my main res that feeds my 6" cubes. WHen I check the PH of my res I will also take a sample of the water that is exiting 6" cubes. It's easy for the way my set up is. The 6" cubes sit on top of a 6" x 36" tray. The drippers feed the rockwool. The execess water comes out of the bottom of the rockwool and runs down the tray to exit pipes that lead back to the res.

So I take a sample of this exit run off water. Depending on the lifestage and what I'm feeding the run off can be off as much as .2 for every feeding. This seems like a lot and it is. But I run my drippers 15min for every 3 hours. So after 3 feedings or so I will adjust the PH of the Res (by this time it has also dropped) back to 5.8-5.9. The 15min that the drippers run easily bring the run off of the Rockwool back up to the correct PH.

In a nut shell, the PH of my rockwool starts at 5.8-5.9 and throughout the day drops to 5.2-5.3. Then I reset by uping the PH of the res and it starts over. I have not had any PH related problems as of yet. I know a lot of people do not like Rockwool saying it gets too wet and promotes root rot. I have never noticed this. Rockwool holds a lot of O2. Yes it stays moist, but this hasn't been a problem for me.

[pudder]

what I think my original question was what can be used like rockwool? like something I know that the hardwar store or a local nusrymay have. ya know something like these conersial products that would be able o start seeds and sustain seedlings? this is what my original question was. like someone saying styrofoam. can seeds be started in porous foam. this is what the acual question was. because I am ready and waiting but have no grow medium besides soil and I don't think soil works in a soilless gow. ow bout something like perlite and burlap or something like that. I have but loads of perlite and vermiculie and about 10 untreated burlap bags. just trying o find things that I may already have around or may work like something else to save on shipping. like I said in a previous post I am allset p and ready to go just need something for a medium.

pudder

[stinkyattic]

Perlite or vermiculite are commonly used in commercial hydroponic veggie production. They clog pumps and drip lines more easily than RW or Hydroton, but are perfectly usable with proper filtration, or in a drip-to-waste.

[Max Blast]

I have used Perlite and Vermiculite and had success with them. Seeds start well in Vermiculite.

Probably best as a mix of about 1/2 and 1/2 each. Readily available in large quantities from your local Nursery supply and does not attract attention. (used for flower beds by regular gardeners)

regards,
Max Blast

[pudder]

I have good amounts of both of these from when I was growing shrooms so I will try this and see what happens I have much more perlite then vermiculite. so do you think perlite would work on its own or no.

[Illusion]

part of enjoying the fruits of your labor is the time thats invested into it....

Honestly I think if you were to order rockwool/hydroton -- It would arrive MAX five days (assuming you live in the continental U.S.)... Delaying your grow for 5 days will be worth it in the end...

I am literally in the same boat you are... I have everything besides my Rockwool and Hydroton, which should arrive in the mail tomorrow.. been waiting 3 or 4 days

I had read things about other mediums used in hydroponic setups... but the problems that come along with it were not worth the 5 day head start...

hope this helps :stoned: