Question about Rockwool.

[CesaroSumm]

I'm doing a 4x4 tray ebb and flow 600 w hps.

My question is I currently have the plants 4inch rockwool that's it. Is this okay? Once the plants get bigger I will use a trellis to support them. My main concern is the root system, will I need to put something underneath the rockwool, or can I keep as it is? I've researched it quite a bit and I've noticed tons of different answers. I'm trying to build a consensus. Thanks!

CesaroSumm Reviewed by CesaroSumm on 09-07-2009. Question about Rockwool. I'm doing a 4x4 tray ebb and flow 600 w hps. My question is I currently have the plants 4inch rockwool that's it. Is this okay? Once the plants get bigger I will use a trellis to support them. My main concern is the root system, will I need to put something underneath the rockwool, or can I keep as it is? I've researched it quite a bit and I've noticed tons of different answers. I'm trying to build a consensus. Thanks! Rating: 5

[oldmac]

I'm doing a 4x4 tray ebb and flow 600 w hps.

My question is I currently have the plants 4inch rockwool that's it. Is this okay? Once the plants get bigger I will use a trellis to support them. My main concern is the root system, will I need to put something underneath the rockwool, or can I keep as it is? I've researched it quite a bit and I've noticed tons of different answers. I'm trying to build a consensus. Thanks!

Hello CesaroSumm and welcome to the boards.

Probably alot of different answers because there are alot of different growing styles. If you are going to grow SOG style (plants no bigger then 18" or so) you can place the RW blocks directly into the tray. But if you intend to veg for awhile and grow 3'-4'+ plants then you want to place a RW slabs in the tray and place your blocks on top of it, spaced to accomedate the size of the final plants.

While you didn't ask, I think a 4'x4' tray would do better with 1 kw HPS light.

Hope this helps.

[CesaroSumm]

Oh sorry, yah I'm planning on doing bigger plants. So I'll need a mat.

[stinkyattic]

There are a few ways to do RW cubes in a larger plant style, like partially sunk into a bed of hydroton or even the small rockwool chunks, but remember that you'll need to peel the paper off the cubes so the roots can breathe and the cubes can go through healthy wet-dry-wet-dry cycles.

[oldmac]

Thanks for adding that info Stinkyattic, a lot of us miss you and your answers. :thumbsup:

Hope all is well by you, and thanks for checking up on us.

[CesaroSumm]

There are a few ways to do RW cubes in a larger plant style, like partially sunk into a bed of hydroton or even the small rockwool chunks, but remember that you'll need to peel the paper off the cubes so the roots can breathe and the cubes can go through healthy wet-dry-wet-dry cycles.

This probably sounds stupid, but do you mean remove the plastic or the piece of paper on 2 sides?

[stinkyattic]

Oldmac, I miss you guys! I hope I'll be having more time to check in soon.

Yeah, when you're ready to put the cubes in a bed, take the plastic or paper entirely off to improve air penetration to the roots.