DWC mediums

[jstone1633]

Whats everyones favorite medium for DWC and why? Is there a way to use clones that arent started in rockwool or rapid rooters? Can coco be used? Thanks

 

[SOMEBEECH]

Used both and yes coco can be used.

Built cloner now just use neoprene,Then remove and go
Straight to hydrotron mesh cups.

Rockwool i had problems with sometimes,My fault getting it
too wet and just did the Diy Cloner much easier.
Some just do the paper towel till they get a good tap
root then place under a drip ring.

Beech

 

[hotrodharley]

Whats everyones favorite medium for DWC and why? Is there a way to use clones that arent started in rockwool or rapid rooters? Can coco be used? Thanks

Root your clone cuttings in plain old tap water. Make sure no light can hit where it will root. Change the water every day or no less than every other day. Leave the chlorine in it! Once roots show then place the clone into your medium.

Whatever you do, make sure NO organic material (other than your clone of course) gets into your solution.

 

[Rob0769]

You can use just about anything in dwc. I would rinse the coco thoroughly first. I have used rockwool for years. I have 5 gallon bucket with build in mesh pot lid. I put a 4" cube in the cup then fill in circular parts with ripped rockwool then I fill the bucket until the rockwool is half way submurged. I have never had a problem with rockwool being too wet.. and it is soaked. The bubbles from air stone should stop any problems. I also cover the rockwool with white plastic or aluminum foil. After 3-4 months I remove the cover and the rockwool looks brand new. No mold.

I get my clones from someone who puts them in dirt. All you do is tap the dirt lightly off. If you can't get the dirt off get a bucket of water that is no colder than 65 degrees and no warmer than 70ish. Roots are sensitive. Also, if using tap water make sure you let it sit for 24 hours to get rid of chlorine/chloramine or use prime from a fish store. The roots don't have to go in the cube/hydroton/coco/whatever any special way. Just try to not let a huge airpocket in with roots.

 

[hotrodharley]

BTW for mediums I have used horticultural grade pumice, aquarium rock and marbles - all used singly. The stuff is just to hold the plant erect so the roots can drink. The important point is NO organics.

 

[tibberous]

If your question was, "Can you start clones in DWC", I believe the answer is no. The oxygen in the water only matters if the plants have root - putting weed clones directly in water makes them wilt.

Unless you are worried about the cost, I'd clone with rapid rooters and then transplant to coir.

 

[tibberous]

BTW for mediums I have used horticultural grade pumice, aquarium rock and marbles - all used singly. The stuff is just to hold the plant erect so the roots can drink. The important point is NO organics.

Sure-to-grow is another decent-looking non-organic medium, can't personally vouch for it though.

 

[BigBuddahCheese]

Sure-to-grow is another decent-looking non-organic medium, can't personally vouch for it though.

I can worse then rock-wool and the company is a joke to work with. No customer service, placed an order on a Wednesday didn't ship out till the following week on Friday after many numerous emails, then a simple reply "opps we overlooked a paypal transaction." I mean wtf? Really? Last time I ever even thought of buying from them, ANYTHING!

 

[Rob0769]

Hey I saw Harley's post about no organics. I mostly agree with him but wanted to share I am using sea green and orca microbes as well as humic acid and sea weed extract. It was a shock going from clean pinkish nutrients to having a black bubbly smelly nutrient batch but I've been using it for 2 months (1 month flower) and I gotta say my plants are healthier than ever. Not one leaf has fallen off yet.. not even the bottom. First for me. I use waterfarms too and no clogs yet. The sea green is thick. It will bubble for the first 12 hours.

Using organics in any hydro can be dangerous (clogs and such) because of it being thick for soil.

 

[tibberous]

Not one leaf has fallen off yet.. not even the bottom

Sure thats not because of feeding or PH? Sounds like your describing nitrogen deficiency or lockout (caused by low PH)

 

[hotrodharley]

Hey I saw Harley's post about no organics. I mostly agree with him but wanted to share I am using sea green and orca microbes as well as humic acid and sea weed extract. It was a shock going from clean pinkish nutrients to having a black bubbly smelly nutrient batch but I've been using it for 2 months (1 month flower) and I gotta say my plants are healthier than ever. Not one leaf has fallen off yet.. not even the bottom. First for me. I use waterfarms too and no clogs yet. The sea green is thick. It will bubble for the first 12 hours.

Using organics in any hydro can be dangerous (clogs and such) because of it being thick for soil.

By organics I mean in the actual medium. No soil left from plugs. Organic nutrients are fine. I use compost tea as part of my solution. However I filter the tea to remove the majority of organic sediment. It encourages unwanted microbial overgrowth if left in.

 

[Rob0769]

By organics I mean in the actual medium. No soil left from plugs. Organic nutrients are fine. I use compost tea as part of my solution. However I filter the tea to remove the majority of organic sediment. It encourages unwanted microbial overgrowth if left in.

Good idea filtering heavy stuff. I may try that now. I stayed away from tea because of sediment. Good mentioning unwanted microbes. Ecto's can eat all the other good bacteria and do nothing for the plant so stay away from those. (They're meant to kill off bad microbes but eat good as well) Also you only use endo microbes for weed. ecto's are for hard woods like trees.

 

[Rob0769]

Sure thats not because of feeding or PH? Sounds like your describing nitrogen deficiency or lockout (caused by low PH)

Little confused with this question. No leaf loss is a good thing. Lots of people lose bottom leaves or they yellow during flower because they stop giving enough nitrogen and just focus on flowering nutrients. It's the same as a body builder deciding to stop carb intake and only eat protien because he wants muscles. Little does the body builder know that carbs are required in double the amount of protien intake. Carbs are what your body uses to break down protien. Also, straight protien is a weight loss trick. So focusing on what helps develope muscles but forgetting what is needed to break it down is taking steps backward not forward. Plants need nitrogen through the whole cycle.. which is why I am happy my plants are 100% gren half way through flower.

 

[tibberous]

Little confused with this question. No leaf loss is a good thing. Lots of people lose bottom leaves or they yellow during flower because they stop giving enough nitrogen and just focus on flowering nutrients. It's the same as a body builder deciding to stop carb intake and only eat protien because he wants muscles. Little does the body builder know that carbs are required in double the amount of protien intake. Carbs are what your body uses to break down protien. Also, straight protien is a weight loss trick. So focusing on what helps develope muscles but forgetting what is needed to break it down is taking steps backward not forward. Plants need nitrogen through the whole cycle.. which is why I am happy my plants are 100% gren half way through flower.

Yeah, I meant, are you sure the lack of leaf loss isn't due to you changing your feeding or PH? I'd attribute it to that more than I would sea green and orca microbes and seaweed extract (although seaweed extract probably has nitrogen, which could be what fixed it)