Rockwool Germination Views

[Jake The Dog]

My first post Serious business time. SO I've been seeing many contradicting things everywhere. So, paper towel, moist not soaked, got that. Then tweezer it into block soaked in ph'd water for a night. Okay. Put a hole in the 1" cube about 1/2 inch down. Cover lightly with excess rockwool. But than I'm lost. Not so much lost as confused by opposing views. The block goes into a humidity dome I half assed with a donut hole box cleaned out and moist. But is it best to use any nutrients in the water sprayed in rockwool? And is it best to keep a light on it? Thanks.

 

[mr2shim]

Don't use nutrients for a week or so. The seedling has plenty of nutrients stored in the Cotyledons. Light needs to be on once the Cotyledons appear.

 

[Jake The Dog]

Leave it dark and warm in the dome until then?

 

[insan3]

Yep once they sprout put them under the light

 

[Jake The Dog]

Sounds spectacular. Last related question. Estimated time from putting the tap root in the cube to the first sprout?

 

[insan3]

usually 24 - 48 hours. can take up to a couple days. any more than 7 to 10 days they are dead lol.

 

[Jake The Dog]

Sounds good. One of the previous attempts is at about 4 days so we'll see. Lol if only i could see inside the block.

 

[hotrodharley]

Put the seed directly in the rockwool. It will show in 3 days or less. Bag the paper towel and transplant crap. Promise. If it's going into a warm humid dome, seed directly in the properly prepared rockwool.

Here's my latest, dropped in with no rockwool on top (I never do) and all my seeds germinate usually in 2 days.

This is a Sweet Seedds Big Devil (harhar). Took 3.

 

[Jake The Dog]

Great pic now i know what to look for and that sounds easier. Ill just straight drop one in no nutes just a soaked rockwool cube. Neat Man i wish I could get my hands on some sweet ass seeds. Might be the other issue as well.

 

[sworth]

That's damp rockwool, as opposed to soaking...
I lost a few to "damping off" in my first grows. It's a very delicate time for the little sproutling....

 

[Dalek Supreme]

My personal germination method.
seed germination in Rockwool starter cubes
1x1 or 1.5x1.5 R/W cubes are all you need for seed starting then place rooted cube in medium of choice(ie Hydroton in net pots).
Warning:R/W can easily be oversaturated,you want moist so shake off excess and do not squeeze.What I do personaly is remove wrapper (each cube) and soak ph corrected water (no nutes) 5.5-6.0 for half hour.Drain and soak an additional 15 minutes in fresh solution.Then remove and give about 15 shakes/flicks of the wrist till no more drops of water comes out for each cube.Then I take a sterile razor blade and cut a slit 1/2" deep opposite end of preformed hole.I place a seed in middle of slit on it's side 1/4" deep then rip a small piece of corner and very gently/lightly pack over slit.Cubes are kept in humididome (for moisture retention only) at 75F-80F (80-90F faster germ but higher risk of seedling fizzle) till sprouted then placed in medium of choice (healthy sprouted seedlings do not need a dome) with PROPER temps,light intensity and 1/8th strength (ph 6.0) nutes keep cube lightly moist till roots take hold.
Most people will keep sprouts in dome till fully rooted leaving dome 1/4-1/2 open to harden them off.#1 problem is cube oversaturation inwich chokes out taproot of oxygen.I shake off excess and gently press cube on top of wrist for a tiny beeds of sweat look.Do not let cube dry out either.Keep seedling from stretching by keeping top close (within inches)of a 6500k floro and make sure not too hot by using back of hand as a heat tester(hot 4 u hot 4 plant).

 

[Jake The Dog]

So the paper towel method isn't as spectacular as i've heard?

 

[youngjizzle729]

Okay I'ma another Newbie here.....I need confirmation on the same thing.....the responses are not specific enough for me. Please verify if what I know so far is correct.

Step1
-germinate seeds in a damp paper towel
-check every day to see if roots have begun to sprout (or is it every couple hours)
Step2
-transplant using tweezers into rockwool cube as soon as roots have begun to sprout
-place in rockwool with root facing down
Step3
-place in humidity dome
-(this is where I am really unsure) turn on lights at 24hours a day

My main questions are once placed in the humidity dome when do you turn on the lights and for how many hours per day? What is the optimal humidity and temperature for seedlings? Also, at what point do you transfer seedlings into a larger pot to begin the vegetative stage?? Will the seedlings become potbound within the rockwool?? What am I to look for to know that seedlings are to be transfered?​ The help is much appreciated

 

[insan3]

You can either do 24/0 or 18/6. (i prefer 18/6) humidity has to between 50%to 80%. Most be use the 1x1 inch cubes for seedlings then once they have grown enough roots you can either put into a bigger cube( i do this) or put it in to a net pot with hydroton.

and in step 2 i would wait for the tap root to be 1/2 to 1 inch long( what have done and works)

 

[sworth]

Three steps to heaven there dude!
24 hours (or 18 hours or 20 hours) daylight...and resist the temptation to do much apart from watch 'n' wait for a week or so

 

[sworth]

1/4- one inch root is too long to wait...why wait anyway?

 

[youngjizzle729]

Also is the rockwool a sufficient medium for the plants as far nutrients are concerned?? Is water all that is needed while they're in this stage?? and how often should I water the seedlings inside the rockwool?? Do they even need water considering that the rockwool is soaked in water prior to placing the seeds in it??

 

[insan3]

a general guide is that you use no nutes(just plain water ) from 0 to 2-3 weeks. 3-4 weeks you use 1/4 strength(200-400ppm), then 3-4 weeks 1/2 strength(500 to 700ppm) and 4-5 weeks full strength(800-1100ppm)

from my grow journal <--

 

[hotrodharley]

So the paper towel method isn't as spectacular as i've heard?

It works but is unnecessary. You are asking questions, which is wise. Your inexperience tells me you're better off using damp rockwool cubes for hydro grows or peat plugs like Root Shooters for soil. Make it easy on yourself and the plants.

 

[hotrodharley]

Also is the rockwool a sufficient medium for the plants as far nutrients are concerned?? Is water all that is needed while they're in this stage?? and how often should I water the seedlings inside the rockwool?? Do they even need water considering that the rockwool is soaked in water prior to placing the seeds in it??

Enough to keep it damp, not wringing wet. Spray bottles can do the job is used regularly. Don't let the rockwool dry out.