How do i make a hydroponic grow meduim??

Hey, I'm looking for ways to germinate my seeds so they grow through my clay pebbles so they go down into the resivour. I heard hyrdroponic mediums
are like rockwool, or oasis cubes. I live in a small town and i currently got laid off and money is an issue. Is there any alternative way to germinate the seeds so i can get this started? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. thankskiss-ass

hydro will be costly, use soil

Jiffy 7 peat pellets are cheap.

the pellets are popular, you ither go the pellets or rockwool, i use RW in conjuction with clay , not sure about the jiffy pellets, dont they fall apart? you dont want something that can break up easily for the possibilty it can jam up a pump

morrisgreenberg said:

the pellets are popular, you ither go the pellets or rockwool, i use RW in conjuction with clay , not sure about the jiffy pellets, dont they fall apart? you dont want something that can break up easily for the possibilty it can jam up a pump

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Jam a pump?.... are you serious?

cotton balls or fiberfill will work to germinate and give a base to set the plant into clay pebbles. If money is a problem an outdoor garden should be something to think about. lights and pumps cost money to operate so maybe growing isn't a good idea at this point.

i agree with above posts to go with soil if money is an issue.

Though to answer your question this is what I do:
I germinate with the paper towel method but let your root grow longer than 1/2". I grow mine until the first leaves sprout. The root is normally 4" long. Make sure the towel is wet.
Next I just put them in my 2" neoprene collar inside my 2" netcup. This is super easy.

If you don't want to use the neoprene collars which is way better than using a medium I suppose you could put the plant in the netcup and fill the cup up with rocks just make sure you got some roots.

Hope this helps.

ya bro!!!!!! everthing everyone said is pretty much right. it just depends on wat ur looking for and how much you know about growing. cause hydro is fast, but tough for a first timer even more so if money is a problem. and if thats the biggest case then do not grow under lites. just besides ur lights ........ u got fans, pumps, and some runn 24/7. no joke.

i'm not that broke i got many bright cfs and a led grow pannel but just right now money is tight and rockwool isnt around here and its like 50 bucks on the internet. So cotton balls should be a suitable grow meduim? okay thanks