Rock wool dampness

[kuri]

i'm with sensisuperskunk here. i learned that first hand that rock wool can become overly saturated and then can cause ROOT rot if it is saturated for too long. first hand knowledge there. learned the hard way. my opinion is do not let rock wool sit in water or not water every day. it will take an easy three days at least before the rock wool comes to a dangerous dry state.

kuri Reviewed by kuri on 02-25-2005. Rock wool dampness During seedling stage, should the rockwool be kept wet, or let to dry between waterings? How about after veg starts? I had a 1 inch blueberry that died overnight and the wool was dry. PH was around 5.8 and using miracle grow for the seed stage. Any help? Thanks! Rating: 5

[willybblue]

i'm with sensisuperskunk here. i learned that first hand that rock wool can become overly saturated and then can cause ROOT rot if it is saturated for too long. first hand knowledge there. learned the hard way. my opinion is do not let rock wool sit in water or not water every day. it will take an easy three days at least before the rock wool comes to a dangerous dry state.

Kuri-


I disagree, but all is a matter of opinion...it does however recommend that you do not let the grodan sit in water. That is the point...you don't need to let it sit in the water as it retains moisture. When you have seedlings under a humidity dome it isn't wise to have water in the tray anyway. I only spray my seedlings when I spray the humidity dome. Also, I have had rockwool dry out in a day or less in high humidity conditions. So, the three days thing isn't probably the best rule. All a matter of opinion I guess...

[kuri]

willyblue, yes, alot of us, including myself, have learned from the climate and conditions that we live in and i tend to overlook sometimes the different conditions i have not experienced.

[vegasgrower]

Of course you don't let it sit in water,anything pourass can become over saturated, but if you use a flood and drain system and soak for 15-30 minutes per watering, there is NO way to over water with rockwool

[vegasgrower]

One last thing I have grown strickly in rockwool for years and have a flood and drain setup, I water 3-4 times a dy and NEVER have had any root rot problems. I have tried everything from lava rock to river rock, to perlite,and clay pebbles, nothing works as well for me then rockwool. The only drawback is the cost since I always use fresh rokwool for each grow.

[Nosehit]

it should be wet/damp, but not saturated.

Right, after you wet it give it a couple shakes like a you would a thermometer and never let it dry out.

Miracle grow bad

[Nosehit]

Rockwool can become overwatered, if you leave it in water. Doing so will cause the water to replace the oxygen pockets,

IME and from what I've read SSS is correct. I only use rockwool to start seeds and clones and then use Hydroton in net pots in my DWC.
I'm not disputing what you say Vegas but you should make it clear that you can't leave it sitting in water, some ppl don't always use common sense.
NH

[bonker7]

rock wool must stay moist and humidy 4 seedling 2 grow well it dont need any nutes yet dude.stay slippery