Rockwool germination moisture level???

[Higher Education]

If I shake my rockwool cubes violently and small drops of water fly everywhere are they too moist? My cubes are approximately 1.5 cubic inches. Anyone know what they should weigh in grams at the right moisture level? I heard Al B. Fuct mention this before, but he was talking about clones. I assume germinating seeds may require a slightly different level of moisture.

 

[justintym2]

get them wet ph balance and no water for two days after they sprout then you can start on the nutes ...do not shake your cubes,. as long as they are above the water they are fine.https://www.rollitup.org/members/justintym2-albums-my-meds-picture109740-mine-feb-19-001-day.jpg gh has a simple calculator to help with the formulas ..you cant mess it up these are mine 2o days

 

[justintym2]

these were put in 6 inch cubes at 5. ph and then after three days i put them in the hydro and BAMMMM they are huge

 

[Higher Education]

I have already soaked them in PH balanced water. I have heard several warnings from experts such as Al B. Fuct about root rot, so I need a more specific answer about the moisture level. I paid too much for my seeds to ignorantly screw up. Your plants, on the other hand, look great. GH makes some good hydro systems. I am taking the DIY aero route.

 

[rucon]

ive bin looking at this also...as ive read most people just soak in ph5.0 for 24 hours and thats it

 

[KittyCat]

Put an unused RW cube next to your babies. When you are checking for watering, feel the weight of the unused/dry one and compare it to one of your babies. If you babies are heavier, they don't need water, if they're about the same weight just dip a corner into water for about 1/2 second. You're done. Then compare the weight between the two to know what "watered" -vs- "need water" feels like. You'll be suprised at the difference in weight. (When you advance to clones, you'll need to account for the weight of the clone, but babies don't weigh anything.)

------------Kitty

 

[Higher Education]

Thanks Kitty. I am 6 for 24 on day 2. I hope I have a 100% success rate because I could only afford one extra seed.

 

[Abnjm]

If I shake my rockwool cubes violently and small drops of water fly everywhere are they too moist? My cubes are approximately 1.5 cubic inches. Anyone know what they should weigh in grams at the right moisture level? I heard Al B. Fuct mention this before, but he was talking about clones. I assume germinating seeds may require a slightly different level of moisture.

My buddy turned me on to the B'Cuzz rockwool blocks. He says they are more tightly packed than the Grodan versions. He taught me to soak the cubes in 5.5pH water, and then shake the excess water out down to 45g. After the clones or seeds have been added, I weigh them every morning, and add enough water to get them back to 45g. 78F root temp, 75F air temp and 100% success rate.

Good luck with your grow!

 

[Illegal Smile]

I don't think you have to worry much about them being too wet when they are germinating. It's when you have a sprout that a too wet cube can cause stem rot.

 

[Higher Education]

Thanks Ab and Illegal. I am 13 for 24 on day 3. I hope all are popped by day 6 or 7. Illegal, can you ellaborate on rockwool moisture and stem rot? I am an intermediate soil grower and first time aerogrower (I figured I'd skip hydro all together). My biggest concern is keeping these 24 big bang seedlings (Hopefully!) alive and well until there are enough roots to put them in the net pots in my aero system. A few cubes seemed dangerously dry earlier although I have them under a humdity dome.