Rockwool for Plants, also known as mineral wool or stone wool, is a highly efficient growing medium that enhances water retention and drainage for plants. Its unique structure allows roots to access water and nutrients, providing plenty of oxygen. Rockwool is excellent at holding water while allowing for great air circulation around the plant roots, ensuring plants have enough moisture without risking drowning.
To maintain the ideal moisture content of around 65-70, water rockwool cubes often, but don’t overwater. Rockwool needs small frequent irrigations, particularly under hot or low humidity conditions when the plants take up a lot of water. To pre-soak rockwool, immerse it in a nutrient solution adjusted to pH 5.5 until it stops bubbling.
To create the ideal pH levels for hydroponic plants, soak rockwool cubes in slightly acidic water (pH 5.5 to 5.8) for at least an hour. Immerse the cube halfway into a bucket of pH adjusted (5.0) water for a few seconds and gently shake out excess water.
When transferring rockwool to larger cubes, ensure they are soaked overnight and transplant them to the big cubes. Use Rockwool soak solution to help with this process. When watering rockwool cubes every 1-2 days, only water until 1/2 wet not saturated, as this will push all the O2 out of the cube.
In summary, rockwool for plants is a highly efficient growing medium that plays a crucial role in enhancing water retention and drainage for plants. Proper watering techniques, proper moisture control, and proper watering methods are essential for the success of rockwool-grown plants.
📹 Stonewool Hydroponics Irrigation Quick Guide
Stonewool, rockwool, it’s the same thing—and here’s a quick three minute guide on how to water it to maximize growth and bloom …
What happens if you don’t soak rockwool?
To grow plants in rockwool, it is essential to adjust the pH and soak it until no more air bubbles rise. Rockwool is an excellent growing medium due to its moisture-holding properties, but without proper soaking, it can suck moisture away from plants. To do this, add a pH solution to the soaking water. Rockwool does not come with any nutrients, so a nutrient solution is needed to irrigate with the water.
Despite this, rockwool retains water and nutrients at the roots, helping plants maintain their needs. Consult an Indoor Cultivator staff member to find the necessary tools to maintain proper pH and nutrient levels.
Is it OK if rockwool gets wet?
ROCKWOOL insulation is a moisture-resistant yet vapor permeable product made from melted minerals and steel slag. It is a cotton-candy-like wool product that is pressed into rolls and sheets, providing sound-absorbing and fire-resistant properties. The insulation can be flexible or rigid, offering a range of solutions to match your needs. ROCKWOOL is made from rainwater collected and used in the process, and its raw ingredients are processed using “carnival cotton candy machines”. When the insulation becomes damp or wet, it can be thoroughly dried to maintain its original performance characteristics. The ROCKWOOL Group offers a range of solutions to meet your insulation needs.
What is the lifespan of rockwool?
ROCKWOOL insulation is a type of insulation that lasts the lifetime of a building if installed correctly in a spec-based system. It is created by spinning molten rock and minerals with steel slag to create a cotton-candy-like wool product. This insulation is effective, sound-absorbing, and fire-resistant, and can be flexible or rigid. ROCKWOOL is made from rainwater collected and used in the process, and its raw ingredients are processed using “carnival cotton candy machines”. It can be installed in wall cavities like any batt insulation and can be either flexible or rigid, providing a wide range of solutions to match your needs.
How often do you need to water with rockwool?
The ideal watering cycle for VidaWool Block 190 (6×6 rockwool) cubes is to transition from wet to barely moist before watering again. Overwatering is a common mistake with rockwool, as it holds about 80 water and 20 air when oversaturated. In an ideal environment, rockwool blocks should be watered once a day in the vegetative growth stage and twice a day in the bloom stage. If using slabs, it is essential to ensure that both cubes and slabs go from wet to barely moist after roots have grown into them.
In an ideal environment, the slabs and cubes should be watered once every other day in the vegetative stage and once a day in the bloom stage. It is crucial to ensure that the medium goes from wet to barely moist again between waterings, and not to squeeze the 6×6 blocks or slabs, as this can decrease water absorption and make the rockwool less uniform. Rockwool should be barely moist (not dry) before watering again.
Can you overwater rockwool?
Rockwool is a great substrate due to its natural moisture gradient, which allows it to saturate at the bottom and provide access to air pockets towards the top. It is important not to overwater Rockwool, as it should completely drain excess nutrient solution. This allows fresh oxygen-laden air to draw into the top layers, providing roots with fresh oxygen. Rockwool can be reused or shred and composted, as it is made from crushed basalt, which makes it a great addition to any potting mix.
However, it should not be reused for starting plants or repeatedly growing the same crops in rotation. If old roots remain within Rockwool, an enzyme solution like GrowDog Exotic Enzymes can help break down them.
Can you leave plants in rockwool?
Rock wool is used to grow healthy, robust aquarium plants, but it is not meant to be left on the plant once it is home. To remove the rock wool, slide the plastic basket off the plant, snip the bottom roots with scissors, and cut the plastic as needed. Gently pull as much off as possible, under running water or in a bucket of water. The plant should have a clean root structure.
To fill in faster, divide the pot into several smaller sections, ensuring there are some leaves and roots on every section. This method can be used to divide a pot of Crypts into three beautiful plants. Remember to ensure that there are some leaves and roots on every section.
How to keep rockwool moist?
It is recommended that rockwool cubes be placed in a nursery tray, covered with a humidity dome, and maintained at a temperature of 70-80°C. It is recommended that water be applied sparingly every couple of days to maintain the desired moisture level.
What are the disadvantages of rockwool?
Rockwool, a material made from rocks and minerals, poses a health hazard due to its high pH and susceptibility to pH shifts. Its high water retention capacity can restrict root environments and hinder water flow to plant roots, even when water content is high. It is advisable to wear a dusk mask when using rockwool. Despite its health risks, rockwool is not as serious as asbestos but still poses a significant health risk.
📹 Rockwool Hydroponics Propagation and Transplanting Complete Guide
Seven minutes—packed with info! We take a look at Grodan A-OK starter plugs (stonewool cubes), Grodan Delta 3-inch and …
Just4growers is the first website I’ve subscribed to. I’m not an avid YouTube guy, but after perusal these articles I felt compelled. There’s not enough good things to be said about Everest. The passion he has for his trade is insurmountable, it’s obvious if you watch more than one of his articles . His dedication and work ethic is inspiring. Imo the most selfless and helpful in our community. Much love and respect…
Hey Everest, top feeding or hand watering is how I’m using rockwool! I found it because of you and I’m enjoying the experiencing! Can you go into more detail about how I should hand water? EC’s and ph’s? Should I raise my ph towards the end of flowering to lock out nitrogen? Should I keep my EC’s the same or raise them? Should I alternate them? Should I hand water them and leave them to soak some water up and then drain the water so they’re not sitting in a tray of water all day? Lots of questions, but appreciate your articles and how much they’ve taught me already!
Absolutely 💚 you Dude😁 Thank you! Thank you! For The plethora of flowing knowledge & jokes! Fun learning Lol crack me up! I’ve got a grow tray 3.5×16’ flood to drain with a 3″ drop from one end to the other. 4″ stonewool cubes covered with plastic. My potential game plan is to purchase a moisture meter.That way I can dial in how long to go between watering 👍🏼?? Some other questions I have is, Do plants feed at night? Should I not water at night? Can I take take advantage of dryback at night while the plants are resting? Or do the roots not grow when plants are sleeping 💤?? Much love! ✌🏼
Everest, Firstly thank you for the articles you post. It is a free education you are giving out here so really a big thank you! If i am running an Edd Flow top feed system into stone wool ‘tomatoes’ i can work out my optimum running pump time based on your calculation from you other article this is cool. Also not to water until and hour on / two off before lights off. My question is how often through the day should you water? How many cycles? I do not want to over water to promote root growth / disease and root problems but also want to ensure my plants are at the best they can be. Any help is much appreciated and you have a fan for life here in the UK. Ps. Of course i subscribed 😉
I’ve have some issues with germination of chilli peppers in starter plugs. The problem is the root has trouble penetrating the medium. I’ve taken care not to squeeze the cube and not to have it saturated with water, but those roots still have issues. It takes a really long time (weeks) to penetrate and this kind of screws up the early development of the plant. Has anyone had similar experiences which they managed to figure out?
I and an old soil grower. I tried 1 time to germinate in Rockwool lost all six plants I think there was to much water in blocks don’t know but definitely made me stay away from Rockwool. If you have any suggestions I am willing to listen. And yes I followed step by step for preparing Rockwool. I am used to 90% Success and will Rockwool I had 100% failure.
+ Amy Sidious thanks for your comment. Stonewool is spun from natural rock fibers, it is not fiberglass. The WHO categorizes it as bio-soluble meaning you can even eat and inhale it and the fibers will simply dissolve in your body. However, in its dry form the fibers can irritate the skin so I always spray it before use. Personally I have never experienced ill effects but I have friends who find it a little itchy. After handling, I rinse my hands (I don’t scrub) – MSDS can be found here: grodan101.com/sites/default/files/leaflets/MSDS-US-09012014.pdf
Hi reviewSearchs. Can rockwool be re-used? That’s a great question! Thanks for asking. Some commercial growers enjoy many successive crops from rockwool slabs by steaming them after the plants have been removed and then replanting. Smaller growers can also do this – a few slabs can be heat treated by pouring hot water through them. Solarization is also possible, as is using chemical disinfectants, although care should be taken to rinse the rockwool well with plenty of water after using these. Commercial Grodan users have the option of the Grodan recycling service, which picks up the used slabs and recycles them into new product. However, smaller growers with just a few slabs of used rockwool can recycle the material by shredding it and reusing it as a growing media, as a component of potting mixes, or by incorporating it into outside soils and gardens.
I love your articles, extremely informative and super professionally made – only one thing that really annoys me is the talking speed and way-over-the-top-motivated voice. You do so great stuff, we’ll definitely be with you for 1 more minute if thats what it takes to adjust the speed to adequate levels!
Nice article. I’m correctly living in Jamaica. The problem here is I can’t use lights, too expensive. Also, the temperature here is really high. 29-32 C year-round. Which is higher than the temperature you have mentioned in the article. What should I do? Also, I’m thinking of take the rockwool to the hydroponic fast. Any ideas? I’m planning to grow salad and herbs. Thanks
I love your articles. Thank you. I have a question for YOU because you’re the first person who gives awesome information and I feel confident KNOWS what they’re doing. I purchased a rather expensive NFT system. I thought it was complete and all I had to do was follow the instructions. Easy peasy. NOT! It came with no instructions so I’m groping blindly. I know nothing about hydroponics including what “ec .5” is. Do you have (or know a great resource) on how to grow from seeds to harvest? Like a complete A-Z series…I have restarted 3 times and I’m so frustrated. Thanks in advance. PS my son’s name is Everest. I’ve never met another Everest 😀
Thank you. I had to sacrifice a plant to figure out what was happening to my plants thst started in a cube and they they were slowly dying after planting in soil. 1) overwater at the beginning 2) too big a pot 3) the cube dried the soil still wet. It was horrible not understanding the transition process before hand. Thank you
You appeared in the side bar. I’m soon to build a raised bed garden. I will want to build a double canopy cover also, We have to grow our own food now. Thank you for teaching your food growing strategies. I hope you get rich from this since people are waking up to the solar minimums leading in to solar cycle 25. Social Distancing just might keep farmers from getting the crops in the ground on time Global.
I have a couple interesting questions. Can a 6x6x6 rockwool cube be used for outdoor growing? And I also thought, how fast would it dry out in summer time dry heat say in the 100’s? I was wanting to hand water all through the grow. And I thought about buying or building a square wooden pot for it to sit in. Thanks
Thank you very much for the explanation, I was hoping that it was the same product but not to worry. Here in Bulgaria hydroponics is a pretty new concept so finding the materials like rock wool, and the chemical hydroponic feeds is near impossible unless you import the products. any way thanks again all the best JT
Are these blocks reasonably reusable for shorter lifespan crops, or would that be an argument for going with the small blocks version of rockwool? If you have a review on Root Riot plugs, could you link us to that? I’ve been using those with expanded clay so far but I hear great things about rockwool so I want to make sure I fully understand both.
Everest (or anybody who knows), I’ve heard some say that starting seeds need to be kept in cool dark places until they start to sprout. Then you give it some lights. Yet others suggest lighting right away. So which is the best way? Dark and cool, or lighting as soon as you plant the seeds in the Rockwool? Thanks
I have romaine, kale, arugula and some varieties of lettuce starting from seed in Rockwool. Everything went great but now the roots aren’t continuing to stretch out once I move the cubes into my DWC system. I started the cubes in a humidity dome and once they had a second set of leaves i slowly started introducing them to less humidity by removing the dome lid. Once they seemed happy I put them in my system. I put a few into mason jars to experiment with the Kratky technique and those roots have reached down and are doing great. The cubes i put into my DWC system aren’t doing anything. Any ideas?
Hey great article, I am starting a deep water culture system, and I have my lettuce in rockwool. They are doing fine, but I was just wondering if you had any tips for when i finally transplant them into the deep water system, i.e, how close to the water should the rockwool be? I plan on having the rockwool resting on some hydrotone inside some net pots, but I am not sure how the moisture is going to reach the roots when they appear. Any input is greatly appreciated!
I cant locally find the grow-cubes, it seems i’ll have to import them from overseas. So i was thinking about cutting my own 1cmx1cm cubes from a slab. The guy at my hydro store suggested i should use the plugs instead. I’m not sure, but if i cut the plugs i won’t get nicely shaped cubes as i would by using the more dense and firm rockwool slab. What are your thoughts? I really like your website btw!
Can someone chime in on a question I have? I`ve seen a response from someone before saying that transplanting a plant grown in rockwool is not a good candidate for transplant into soil. He went on to say that the rockwool inside the soil would hold onto much of the water/nutrients and turn into root rot eventually. Anyone experienced with this?
can u use coco core with raw material mix with compost. I add wood chips, I am tring grass tea. this is a way you don”t have to feed your plants 4 serveral weeks.grass hold materials in the cococore retain 80% liquid for less feeding.compost tea and grass tea. put grass around the top of the plant. u will be surprised . what u feed the plant.egg shells.bannia peels. food from the kitchen. no feedings 4 3 to 4 weeks. THIS IS THE WAY NATURE FEED THE WLID.
Every time I hear people ranting about how great everest is, and almost every article I see decomposing leaves and stuff in the the flood table, wouldn’t be such a gripe if he was doing drain to waste, I never have nasty algae build up like that, I can only imagine the total number of foreign bacteria, why would you willingly leave DECOMPOSING stuff in your root zone?? this is hydroponics, let’s just leave this organic material to infest our rockwool… catchy tune and narration blinds people of the lack of basic maintenence
Geez … These people either sell their products for highly expensive prices or are prepared to pay through the nose to grow them themselves? All this hardware, electricity, room space and labor doesn’t come free, then there’s all the work required to maintain it? I prefer to stick to more conventional methods and save my time and money. Do any of these people with these small systems do a cost analysis? I’m sure they will claim their £10 buck peppers pods are worth it. Lol
I think Eazy Block Organic Transplanting Cubes and Eazy Plug Propagation Cubes are better. Overview With a focus on organic materials and the principles of air pruning, Eazy Block Transplanting Cubes are the logical next step for users of Eazy Plug Propagation Cubes, helping to create an incredibly dense root structure in an environmentally friendly manner! Produce strong and healthy roots using the characteristics of the Eazy Plug Facilitate the air pruning process to create a highly developed root zone Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of nutrient uptake Extremely versatile product suiting most soil, coco and hydro applications Easy to use and capable of delivering fantastic results Stay hydrated long after water has been drained away Predetermined and buffered pH and EC values Consist of mostly organic materials that are 100% compostable Supplied in a dry form for clean and lightweight transport and storage Part of a full range that includes propagation cubes and flood & drain systems The Power Of Air Pruning The well bonded nature of the product means there’s no requirement for any plastic wrapping or covering, which opens up the unique opportunity for roots to be air pruned – a massive benefit! Primary roots will stop growing beyond the edges of the media due to exposure to the air, causing a plant to produce an abundance of secondary roots and root hair that then go through the same process. As a result, you get extensively developed root networks with maximum absorption capabilities for mega efficient uptake of nutrients and water… just what your plants need to continue growing quickly and healthily!
STOP WASTING SEEDS! Never can understand why people plant multiple seeds per Rockwool: Just use a few extra Rockwool to compensate for the germination rate and put one seed in all. That way if you want 5 plants, and seed 7 Rockwool, you’ll likely get 5-7 plants and you won’t waste 5-7 seeds or more on seedlings you’ll cull, you also won’t have to disturb the root structure of any plant to pull out the lesser sprout, nor even waste the time thinning them out. Remember: if a seed doesn’t grow in one of the Rockwool, just set it in the sun to dry, and re-use it next time! I feel like this is an old wives tale taught to growers by SEED SELLERS to sell more seeds! Stop wasting TIME and SEEDS for NO REASON!
Im soo tired of these articles claiming to explain everything. but they all just say plug your pump into a timer and let it go… you kind of missed a HUGE step. you gotta program the timer. NOBODY is explaining how long these timers should be on or off. if i just plug into a timer and not set the timer then why use the timer? its just on all the time.