Not new to growing, but new to using Rockwool. Please help...

Hi Everyone,

I'm not new to growing and have had great yields in the past. I have alway's used organic soil mixed with worm castings with a great feeding regimen using mostly Bontanicare Nutes. I was starting seeds in Peat Disks and have decided to try something new.

I've decided to try Rockwool in a Propagation tray with a 2" Humidity Dome. I've followed all posts about flushing rockwool, soaking in pH adjusted (5.5) R.O. Water and geminated using a couple paper towels and zip lock bag. The germination was 100% success and I have 5 babies in the dome looking good. They are currently sitting under a 48" Florescent with 2 bulbs to cover more of the light spectrum (I can't remember the exact Color spectums off the top of my head). Everything is going great - now that you have the background - here's my questions:

When should I remove the Humidity dome?

When should I transplant the Rockwool into prepared soil? (The plan is to move them into small Plastic Cups with holes drilled out the bottom and move up as the root system needs more space)

How long can I leave the seedlings under the Florescent Lights before moving them under my 1000w MH.

I'm slowly moving toward a Hydro growing system - probably Ebb & Flow once I get some money together to build the system. If I were to go straight to the E&F System now would Rockwool be alright to use and what would be the recommended flood times and frequency?

Thanks for your help!!!! I briefly had a thought (for about a day) of "if it's not broke, don't fix it" however the following day all of my seeds sprouted and the seedlings seem to be growing much faster and are happier in the Rockwool rather than good soil.

As soon as they're about 3/4" out of the rockwool they go under the light. Though I dunno about going right to 1000w, maybe gradually.

i always try to get them to their perminate growing medium as soon as possible. i have that the tap if left to grow out of the bottom of the wool will affect the growth of the plant. i have read it in many places so i try to stick with it. when you clone in rockwool after you soak it put it in a salad spinner and get some of the water out. or shake it hard a few times. i have read that if it is to wet it will take a while for roots. so i try this and i have never gotten roots faster than i did with just damp rockwool

I remove my humidity dome about 10-14 days after i put them under the dome and there rooted good and ready for bigger dirt pots.
I usually transplant mine about 10-14 days after i put them in, just depends how your roots look. I transplant mine once the clones roots are coming out the bottom and sides.
My clones are usually under a floro. light for around 6weeks sometimes longer,justs depends when my adult plants are done flowering(dont have seperate rooms just 1)
I dont grow hydroponics myself but a friend of mine uses a ebb an flow and he starts his clones in 1"x1" rockwool cubes then once rooted moves them to 4 or 6" rockwool cubes which he justs puts in his system and that what the plant roots and grows in.

I used a aeroponic cloner for 2 yrs until it started giving me trouble and wouldnt clone my plants very well anymore, I switched to rockwool, humidity dome & Olivias cloning solution w/ rootech gel and now ive had 98% success rate on my clones. I think its something like 43/45

Thanks for the info - it's exactly what I needed to know. I'll know soon if I've been successful in transplanting them soon enough since the tap root was coming out of 2 of my little ones. They've been in soil for a few days and are still green and looking good. Only have to wait now.

Thanks again!!!