rockwool disappeared?

[ismoke2much]

i have been growin for about 3 weeks now in rockwool...all of the sudden my rockwool turned in to something similar to a gel...it has completelt gone now and im left with roots hangin freely...stem is supported by grow rocks to hold it upright...is this normal or is something terribly wrong...

it is a hydroponics set up with a net basket, rockwool(used2be), and grow rocks...i have my pump for water running and everything seems normal but the rockwool...does it just 'melt' away?

ismoke2much Reviewed by ismoke2much on 06-25-2004. rockwool disappeared? i have been growin for about 3 weeks now in rockwool...all of the sudden my rockwool turned in to something similar to a gel...it has completelt gone now and im left with roots hangin freely...stem is supported by grow rocks to hold it upright...is this normal or is something terribly wrong... it is a hydroponics set up with a net basket, rockwool(used2be), and grow rocks...i have my pump for water running and everything seems normal but the rockwool...does it just 'melt' away? :confused: Rating: 5

[bonbon]

The only thing that i know of to cause rockwool to disintergrate is a very low ph,I would check to see how acidic the reservoir is,the range for rockwool is around 5.5-5.8....bonbon

[ismoke2much]

im keepin it about 5...a little too low u think?...everything is still working plantwise...plant and roots are growing...willl this be alright to just grow without rockwool with roots hanging like that?...id ahte to start over...i understand if i must.

[ismoke2much]

and now the bottom 2 rows of leaves are starting to wilt and yellow a little...the top 2 or 3 rows are goin strong tho?...still baffled...

[bonbon]

It would probably be lower than that if it weren't for the melted RW,kick it up to about 5.5-5.8,low ph locks out the major nutes,baking soda will raise it ,mix a few tbs in about 1 gal of water ,add it at night then check in the day,give it some time to assimilate in the reservoir,dont add it all at once,gradually over a few days,or repeat over several days till you get your target range...bonbon

[bonbon]

Use a ph-up(potasium hydrochloride)instead of baking soda,My wife says bicarbonate has too much salt in it....bonbon