Rockwool Hydroponics Propagation and Transplanting Complete Guide
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- Seven minutes-packed with info! We take a look at Grodan A-OK starter plugs (stonewool cubes), Grodan Delta 3-inch and 4-inch rockwool blocks, Hugo 6-inch blocks, Big Mamma 8-inch blocks, Unislabs and loose fill rockwool growing media. We cover pre-soaking rockwool, adjusting pH, charging up with hydroponic nutrients, hardening off seedlings and cuttings, and transplanting into soil and soilless media such as coco coir.
Highest information density of all hydroponic videos so far.
Probably one of the best starter videos I have seen. Well done and thanks for creating it.
Back to watch this for a fifth time to see what new details I pick up this time. Thanks for all the great content, Everest !
Also just watched your video on root pruning again. Both great videos, thank you. I am getting ready to transplant my peppers into my new NFT system (square guttering and net cups, not the trays like in your video).
Everest thank you for the college level tutorial, rockwool. I had no idea how extensive the rockwool uses are and the huge variety of sizes of shapes available. I'm happy to be here, thanks again for your presentation.
Thanks Oscaris, rockwool /stonewool has to be one of the most productive growth media out there when dialed in. Like I say in my vids, it's no coincidence that it's the mainstay of commercial hydroponics production. I look forward to producing more rockwool vids as I really can't wax lyrical about this stuff enough! :)
+Everest Fernandez (Just4Growers) uh that's cuz its cheapest. coco is better for hydro. smart pots can go into bigger smart pots without plant removal. that's a big plus. plus no root circling
+Rick Haynes and u saying it will digest in your body?? u think perlite dust dissolves in your body too? micro-glass extremely dangerous. wet perlite and rockwool and avoid both dusts.
+Rick Haynes we could discuss perlite in another video if you like Rick.
Rick Haynes tcqst43. i ., i ' .. l ? l .. , I
Great video! Best I’ve seen explaining rock wool. Thanks!
Awesome! Thank you!
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.
This was incredibly helpful! Thanks for the tutorial!
Will rockwool work for any plants? I am training to grow perennial flowers from seed and hoping rockwool can provide a medium that will minimize seedling whilt and just be less of a mess.
yes, rockwool is very popular in floriculture and can support flowering plants and perennials no problem!
Great information on starting plants in hyrdoponic systems. I appreciate the video. I am just getting started.
+Rick Marshall Very happy to help Rick-thanks for your feedback.
It appears im bingewatching your whole existence now
Ha ha ha this one is from way back! Lol
Thanks! I was wondering if I could transplant my cubes into soil and you answered my question. Good thing coz I already did. lol
Yes u can
wow your good on making things simple ty. I'm glad you are taking the time to show people first starting with rockwool. I'm going to keep watch for more
Damn man, I learn so much from you and I'm laughing at how wrong I was doing it.
+ 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
+Everest Fernandez (Just4Growers) u sound like the gmo guy who wouldn't drink the gmo after saying it could be safely drank.
+Rick Haynes except he didn't quote the world health organization. :)
I always trust the WHO ....
Yes.... Lettuce.. exactly what I was looking for.
Marijuana
Super like this Video. Much Information with easy understanding and time saving. without music make me more serious watching it. Well Done
as a care giver i find videos you do very on point tyvm keep it up
nate ott Thanks so much for caring to comment Nate! I appreciate it. I'm glad that you find the videos useful. Thanks for subscribing too! :)
Hey Everest! quick question, how do you feed your seedlings, do you spray? and how often do you feed?
I love your videos, 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!
I miss you man. You taught me a lot
Thanks buddy. More content coming soon!
I have a question. Rockwool used for planting contains humectant. Does this product not have to be rehydrated in the next plantings? Doesn't it deteriorate and lose its ability to retain water?
Everest, your videos are my go-to for lots of projects i do. Love it!!!
I am starting tons of basil seeds in rockwool today. Thanks for the videos!
+boognish4life Thanks Boognish. I love growing basil! Try not to let her go to bed with wet feet! ;-) The lemon and lime basil varieties are particularly sensitive to it. Good luck and keep in touch. Best wishes, Everest.
rewatching your videos many times sir and from what and many can tell you understend alot
can you tell me if after growing some domatos can i reseed them to soil with the rockwool it self ?
and are those flora duo fertilizers working on soil ?
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.
+Everest Fernandez (Just4Growers) so then where do the air pockets go? u squeeze them out u lose only make it hold more water...already holds too much, unless u an expert. coco better than rockwool, unless u careful
+Rick Haynes I don't think you need to be an expert to use rockwool. As with any growing media, you need to adapt your irrigation practices to its properties.
I'VE HAD MY SEEDS IN THESE ROCKWOOLS FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND I SEE NOTHING SPROUTING . WHAT AM I DOING WRONG ?
Thank you for all your video please can you add a link for all the items that you have used where can you buy it
Good content and you cover it at a good pace, thanks for the upload.
Thanks amigo.
Rockwool is my favorite way to start seeds, I don't turn the lights on until the first plants pop up
Ist this medium can blast in future? How many month the medium can be used
Nice video. 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 video. 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
+Everest Fernandez Is rockwool still your favorite? Thanks for all your great vidoes!
the best ever video for beginners full of information. thanks you too much
You’re welcome!
Thanks! What is the frequency that you add nutrient solution to the rockwool and frequency that you water the rockwool? And how do you know that its time to do so? Any signs??
Awesome video Everest, really enjoyed that and I know our customers will too! Keep up the great work =)
T smith Thanks very much. Sending lots of love over to you fine folks in Liverpool, England!
rock wool not only for industry, but also for agriculture
good info!
Thank you for watching.
i love the idea of a rockwool for hydroponics but my question is where do you buy the instrument measuring the ph water nutrient for plants also where can i buy the rockwool big mamma 8 inch block, & thanks for sharing,...
Cesar Caoili Hi Cesar, thanks for your question. If you live in the US try this retailer search-just put in your zip code. www.just4growers.com/find-a-store.aspx - or, for Grodan rockwool / stonewool try Grodan's dealer list - grodan101.com/store or for pH and EC meters and dosing equipment try Bluelab's dealer search here: www.bluelab.com/where-to-buy -- Good luck, THANKS for subbing my channel Cesar, and if you need any help or advice you know where I am. Peace and happy growing, Everest.
I’m curious if you have ever noticed a sulfur smell coming from new Rockwool slabs? I have the same grow blocks you have which don’t smell at all, but the flora flex slabs I ordered smell rotten. Thanks. I enjoy your videos.
This is so awesome. I'm having this burning desire to create a garden at my home. Is there any resource you recommend to learn about plants and their specific treatment?
Eric Xavier Thanks Eric. Check out the info sheets and articles at just4growers.com - if you can't find what you are looking for let me know and I'll do my best to help. Peace and happy growing.
Is this rock wool the same completely as that used in insulation of buildings ?
Just starting my hydroponics systems and you videos are a great help!
Quick question. I'm starting my basil in the Rockwool starter plugs and then when the plant is ready to transfer, move the entire starter plug into a net cup with clay balls. Is that workable procedure?
Im relaxed about it now . Thanks Everest send me the brand of coffee you use
New subscriber - thank you! Wondering - I have a large amount of Roxul rockwool insulation from a constuction project. Is there any reason I can't repupose this material in place of these pre-shaped cubes?
Awesome info, great video vibes
Is it okay to place the AOK blocks directly on the slab with a sprinkler system to prevent from drying out? If there are any roots on the sides exposed, would the plant die?
The rockwool medium seems awfully expensive on a per plant basis of about $10 total. What are your main deciding factors in choosing rockwool cubes over, say, clay pebbles that are cheaper and reusable? For a lower priced crop rockwool wouldn't let you hit breakeven.
So can I just buy the big blocks of rockwool from lowes and cut them up? I don't see any local vendors carrying these precut products
So you don’t rinse them after soaking in 5.5 water?
Everest, got any tips for growing a dwarf fig tree in a small, dark, apartment? Can it be in a permanent hydroponic tub?
Is it dangerous to work with rockwool primarily, like breathing it in or something else damaging?
Thank you for this awesome video. I learn so much from them all
Thanks Mary - note that you no longer need to pre-soak Grodan rockwool products. More info here: ua-cam.com/video/dHKYm_cs4UE/v-deo.html
I love your videos. 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 😀
How many times per day and how much water should I use to watering Hugo rockwool in veg and flowering ? I am planing 16 plants per meter ( Orange Diesel ) 3 weeks veg and 10 weeks grow. Can you advice +Everest ?
is that like a white panda film you are using to cover the rockwool from getting exposed to the light and preventing the expansion of algae
How do you feel about the safety of rock wool? I'm starting seeds in 2 oz plastic cups and coco coir these days.
very interesting I use rockwool cubes for years to do my cuts
What is the material or brand of the white covers u use
That was great video as I'm about to use someRockwool for first time. Cheers
I've watched this video 3 times now, today was my first seedly hatching. #CanadianCBD for that factory life
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. 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
Everest, i heared that pH can be unstable in those big cubes. What do you think? Did you have such problems?
They say these hold water well. My experience is they dry out super quick. I have to water them every few hours or the seedling falls over and dies. I think I am going straight to soil from now on.
I have been having some real trouble with rockwool. The plants sprout, but never made their way to the surface. Any idea why or how to fix that?
Very nice video, Can you take the rockwell 1x1 block and take them straight to a hydroponic pot filled with perlite . This will be my first year doing the hydroponics. I built a 1,000 sq foot greenhouse with heat for the winter.. Thank you for any advice
+Angie Swyers Thanks Angie-yes you can take an A-OK starter plug and transplant it into a pot filled with perlite-no problem! Your greenhouse sounds great! Where in the world are you? Peace and happy growing, Everest.
+Everest Fernandez (Just4Growers) I am in the city of Stlouis MO USA. I have 1.3 Acres here. I have also designed a growing pot with drain outlet, so I could return my unused water and fertilizer to the storage tank.. Get this at a cost of 40 cents and when you filled with perlite your at $1.30 Per Hydroponic pot.. For tomato plants & peppers. I could not see myself paying $3 per 5 gallon bucket or 10$ for a hydroponic bucket . 400x $4 =$1600.00 My way (400x $1.30 + free labor =$520)
It seams to be working out with six pepper plants.
I love the videos. I learn so much watching .. Thank you for posting
Angie
+Angie Swyers Wow-free labor! Where did you find that? :)
+Everest Fernandez (Just4Growers) Tried the rockwool Not a fan... holds water too long and the ph went up fast . I went back to a starter mix. Pro-Mix HP.
If using a dutch/bato bucket with perlite, do you size up to the 3-inch block or put the 1.5 inche cube in the bucket?
My God man you did a fast video that was easy to take in most of your pesentation
Thanks Bob.
What causes mold inside the very center of my dense sticky stinky fruit if my humidity is 45 percent with temps around 80 with c02 in high ppm? In Rockwool 1 inch inserted into a 4inch cube placed on top of a 6inch rockwool cube. Could over watering be the issue. Watering 4 times daily
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.
do you have the video with the grown vegetables using that method?
You rock bro thanks for keeping it simple
My pleasure DB. Thanks.
+Grow Boss (thegrowboss) Why would such a self-effacing character such as yourself think such a thing?
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.
PH for 48 hours..24 hours at 5.5 once had my runoff still over 7. 2 days in 60 degree water, and airstone
jeb gardener ingores these rules like if you know what i mean
But his stuff dies alot
@@GardensoftheAncientsHerbal Is that because of how he works with the rock wool, or is that because of other factors like bad weather, purposeful negligence for the sake of testing, etc.?
Jeb grows gu2rrilla style
@@sircumference3325 lol he just dont care
I love that guy.
Can I use the big mama have to grow a citrus tree? I don’t plan on letting it get any larger than 5 feet tall.
Any tips or advice for cross pollinating Tomatillos?
Jonathan Bermudez Hi Jonathan. Thanks for your question. Indoors I'd use a small paint brush to make sure that pollen from one plant reaches another. You probably already know that you need at least two tomatillo plants to be sure of fruit set. I'm doing something similar-ish with my cucumbers right now! I'll make a video about it-put it on the long list anyway! :)
Where can I buy Carolina reaper seeds? Love your vids BTW!
wait a tic... I'm a novice grower right now, but how the fuck did I miss the possibility of growing in little rockwool grow-cubes in a fabric pot!! awesome!
I really don't understand why you need to persoak for longer times on bigger blocks..but I'm just gonna do it anyways...thanks Everest
Eric Elder The main thing you need to look for visually is the air bubbles stopping floating out of the block when submerged. You don’t actually need to submerge the Grodan blocks any more - five passes with a coarse spray from a watering wand is sufficient.
Hey everest, now that you live in France, which hydrostore do you use? Since it seems hard to find hyper fans etc on mainland Europe/ LEC lights
what is the diy coco cover made out of?
What brand is the grow tray/table you’re using?
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?
What advantages do these huge rockwool cubes offer over the regular 1" cubes?
hi there, I would like to know where did you buy your lab equipment?
Just put my babies in rockwool. However, I left the vents open for a few hours. Just realized this mistake and closed them up. Will this affect it at all? Or no biggie? Thanks
Don’t fret, you’ll be fine.
I am happy coz I can transfer them to soil . Thanks for this great video
How to make the pre-soak ph5.5 water solution?
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 channel btw!
sublimit777 Hi Sublimit. Thanks for your question. The guy at your local hydro store gave you good advice. The rockwool in slabs is a lot less dense than the rockwool in A-OK starter plugs and grow cubes. (The 1cmx1cmx1cm cubes and the A-OK plugs are the same density.) The reason the denser rockwool is used in cubes and plugs is to retain more moisture for seedlings and cuttings.
So-if you want to cut your own grow cubes from A-OK plugs, you should first wet the product to minimize dust and then I'd cut 2 cm x 2 cm x 2cm chunks rather than 1cmx1cmx1cm. Why not ask the guy at your local hydro store to contact their rockwool supplier? I'm not sure where you're based but Growcubes are widely available in North America and available via a special order in Europe. Alternatively - try emailing info (AT) grodan101 (DOT) com -- I've found the guys at the end of that email are very helpful and responsive whenever I've had enquiries.Finally-thanks for your positive comments about my channel. It's a lot of work (but a labor of love!) so thanks for positivity! It means a lot.
I appreciate your reply mate. Just from looking i assumed it was the other way around, so this helps me a lot.
The local hydro wholesaler doesn't import the growcubes, and only a couple of adds on ebay which are $40 a bag + $50 for shipping. The plugs will be fine for now i reckon.
I'll ask the guy at the shop to contact the wholesaler, or even grodan on my behalf and hopefully they'll be able to get them in for me in the future.
I'll let you know how it goes. i'm still setting up my room and putting my max-fan pro(yellow and black one) in this weekend.
sublimit777 Nice! Let me know how you get on with the Max Fan Pro. I'm hoping to get my grubby mitts on one of those too! :) Happy growing! Everest.
Ha! actually i initially took home the original Max Fan 8'' because they didn't have the Pro in stock. I had already seen your hyperfan v max fan vid, just had slight doubts on its speed controller durability and pressure drop with ducting and filter attached. Anyway i ended up taking it back along with the carbon filter they suggested because the cfm rating was too far apart. So they offered me an exchange on both the fan and filter, i just had to wait for the PRO to be ordered in, but well worth it as its a lot quieter.
I did notice the nth American 120v model has a significantly higher CFM rating, and has 3 speeds compared to my 240v model which has 2 speed settings. Anyway, i'd like to see you do a vid on it.
Does running the hyperfan at 50% shorten its life? I keep getting mixed info on that.
sublimit777 Hi Sublimit! Running the Hyperfan at 50 percent will actually increase its life due to less load on the bearing.
It's true of some other types of fans (i.e. with external rotors and split capacitor run types) because they are balanced at one speed (high) with just four magnetic poles. As the rpm is reduced the balance changes, then the forces on the magnetic poles change, and consequently more load is put on to the bearing.
The Hyperfan, as I understand it, has a twelve pole motor. Each pole or magnetic pushing point is 30 degrees apart (30x12=360) in a 4 pole it's 90degrees apart (4x90=360) - affording the Hyperfan a much smoother application of power on each revolution.
Do you worry about the green growing on top of cubes
Wait so at vegetative stage pepper plants are best under 500ppm? How about in the generative stage?
Hey great video, 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!
Grow Boss well its more of a hobby than anything else at this point, growing in a small apartment and I'm not looking for my apartment to dank of weed all the time, seeing as I don't smoke it anyways.
+Ben Swallow Hi Ben. Good question. When you first introduce the plants to DWC the water levels should be just high enough to allow some contact with the roots. Once you've "tempted" the roots into the solution you can lower the level to just below the bottom of the root crown / net pot.
Everest Fernandez Awesome, thanks for the response, just dropped them into the system a couple days ago with the water level just touching the bottom of the cubes, and they are doing great so far! Ill definitely drop the water level a little bit in a week or so when the roots have established themselves well.
+Ben Swallow No worries-glad to help Ben. Remember to keep nutrient concentrations at around half the strength of substrate-based hydroponics in DWC.
good info on preventing algae
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
Hi Larry-it depends on the species of seed you want to grow. Cucumbers and squash, for example, will germinate with little or no light. Lettuce, on the other hand, germinates far more readily when you give it light from the get go. I always use light as it's a good form of heat too-seed planting depth is more important. Never more than a seed's depth down into the media. So really small seeds barely need to be covered at all. Just whack them on top and give them a mist from time to time.
Thank you, Everest. That makes much better sense. Much appreciated. Thank you also for sharing your informative videos.
Everest Fernandez at 1:20 I noticed a greenish tint on the rockwool cubes - is that algae?
Will Dubray Guilty as charged Will! Actually I don't find it causes any issues but I do get it a lot. How about you?
Does anyone know, can you or have you grown outdoor with the big rock wool cube instead of soil?
I have 6 small pepper seedlings at home in the small rockwool cubes, they have been there for about two weeks, how long do I have to wait for the roots to poke out?
+Azurl hello my friend, peppers are very slow growing at first so patience is key! Try raising the cubes up (a Gro-Smart tray is great!) to get air underneath the cubes and take it easy on the nutrient concentration. Rapid Start is an awesome additive too. Keep in touch and let me know how they develop. Lots of warmth and humidity :)
Thank you for the reply! :) I could not find a Gro-Smart tray in the online store I get my stuff from here (Sweden) but I did make like a scaffold of cut up label tags that they're standing on now to keep them out of the water pool below. I keep a bucket of pH 5.5 with the amount of nutrient indicated for seedlings mixed in, very small amount. I kept them under a dome at first on a incubator (warm plate) the dome is off now, and the plate is turned off. the second set of leaves have started forming on my seedlings. :)
Cant I start with the little stone thing and put in then in earth? I need help. Or can I only use stone if I use only stone
Also when making a soil mix I have pots with a reservoir at the bottom since I don't have the space for a hydro system. How best to stack the clay balls and coco I have?
Hi pal . Im starting to see a warped leaf on my shamrocks lol serious they are my first stonewool grow . These are auto shamrock tap root is long . I let dryback happen . Is it overfeeding heat humid are fine .
Hi Shane, what is the EC of your water (with no nutrients added) and what is the EC after you’ve added all your nutrients?
25 dollars for a plastic tray....anyone know good cheap alternatives?