The myth of Rockwool

JDMase

Well-Known Member
I use the little cubes to clone and start seeds. Never had issues. The trick is to let them sit in the seed starting tray with a heat mat or in the sun to get rid of some of the moisture. I have a little thing they sit in at the bottom of the tray and I then poor water into the tray just below where the cubes are sitting. This ensure they stay moist and not wet. Pretty much 100 percent success with seeds unless they are super old and a solid 90 percent I would say cloning which is better than my clone machines and easier to transfer.
The only way I could get them cubes to work was to wet them and then leave them on a few layers of paper towels to get the moisture back out.
Now that I know grodan doesn't need to be pre soaked I would just dunk them up to halfway and leave the top dry completely.
I feel like root riot cubes are easier tho and need no fuckery so I use them but it's good to see you got them to work with a heat mat. Ive always worried I'd get root rot or something so I stay away from them lol
 

JohnDee

Well-Known Member
Good morning JD...
After a short 5.5 ph soak...I just give them a wrist flick which removes some water...just right.

On root riots which I have never used...saw a guy post that they contain GA3 as a little seed starting boost.
JD
 

DangerDavez

Well-Known Member
The only way I could get them cubes to work was to wet them and then leave them on a few layers of paper towels to get the moisture back out.
Now that I know grodan doesn't need to be pre soaked I would just dunk them up to halfway and leave the top dry completely.
I feel like root riot cubes are easier tho and need no fuckery so I use them but it's good to see you got them to work with a heat mat. Ive always worried I'd get root rot or something so I stay away from them lol
It's cold af where Iive so no risk of root rot. The cubes may get slightly warm but the air around ensures they never get too hot. Thermometer for the mat would be necessary in warm climates.

Never tried rapid rooters or riot cubes though so maybe I'm missing out. Still, no issues with the Rockwool and it's safe to use in my high pressure aero room.

The paper towel idea is good though. Where most people go wrong with Rockwool is over watering them. They need to remain damp but not wet. That's why I fill the bottom of the tray just below where the cubes are sitting and let the heat mat evaporate the water.

The large cubes I've never tried. Too expensive and finicky. I don't really see a scenario where their isn't a better alternative. Most of the time hydroton is simply better for hydro.
 
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