Thank you, I appreciate it! I don't use a script so sometimes it turns out good and sometimes... not so much haha. But I'm glad this one was a good one!
This is a great question - I was also told to soak rockwool in pH adjusted water before planting (I've always heard around 6pH). The very first time I ever used rockwool I didn't bother with the pH adjusted water and it worked just fine for me, so I never tried to adjust it! BUT I have to say I have well water on my property and it is pretty neutral water in general as I don't usually have to do too much for my hydro setup, so I would start by just testing your water to see if it's already in that 5.5-6.5 range. The more I get into hydroponics and just gardening in general, the more I realize how lucky we are to have the water we have here!
I’d love to see how you transplanted these to your hydroponic system. Do you transplant with the rock wool or remove it? Also have you ever used LECA with self watering pots?
Hi Tony! Perfect timing - I just finished filming my transplant video. I need a few days to edit and then it will be live! I’ll leave a comment once it’s ready :)
You leave the hole uncovered but seen people use a tiny bit of rockwool to cover the hole after the seed has been dropped in - is this a good idea or should it be left open
I tend to leave the holes open because I used a humidity dome to cover my seedlings so the moisture stays pretty consistent in there. A lot of people do try to close the top of the holes which is also fine, I think typically they want the seed to be covered to help keep moisture in, or it’s a habit carried over from planting seeds in soil and covering the tops with a fine layer of soil. For some seeds that require a high moisture level to sprout, I’ll cover with a really fine layer of sand. This helps keep the seed very moist without having to tear apart the top of my rock wool cube. Hope that helps!
Usually between 75-80 degrees! I have a fair amount of sun that shines through the window behind me so I'm cautious not to keep it too hot with the additional heat :)
My husband said the same thing, he has worked with rockwool in building projects and always wore protection. I never have with the cubes (ignorance at first, then just doing the usual process) but I am fortunate to have never broken out on my skin! I’m always (always) careful about what I inhale when working with plants. Perlite, potting soil, fertilizer etc can all have adverse effects when inhaled. Moisture is your friend in this case! The wet rockwool cubes will not release debris into the air, at least significantly less than dry material. But plenty of people use full protection with this material and that’s the best approach when it comes to safety! Follow me for my gardening tips, but probably not my safety tips 😉
please tell me how to make this work on my 5 gal fabrick pots . i cant get my ph down ! no matter how much i use, i dont get it ? it says it work with soil. i have well water also . thanks ! really need some help . i must me not to smart . thank you .
Hi Richard! Not to worry, we can help with this. First of all, what are you using to measure your soil pH? Make sure it's a tester that is actually designed for soil (I like these strips for indoor plants amzn.to/3TVHMls), water pH testers will not be as accurate. Secondly, it can take a little while for soil pH to correct itself - it's not within a few minutes like it is for water. When I amend my garden soil with sulfur, it's usually a few weeks to a month before I start to notice any difference when I test. So you may need to wait a little while before you start seeing results. Lastly, for your next batch of plants (or if you want to repot these plants) you'll want to mix up a large container of soil first, add in your acidifier (pH down or a granular equivalent, which I recommend for soil) then wait 1-2 weeks to take some soil measurements. Once you have your soil where you want it, then you can pot up your plants. If you live in a region with pine trees, dead pine needles can also be a great addition to soil to bring down pH, as pine needles are naturally acidic. I always toss in a handful of dead, dry pine needles for my container plants!
I like how natural u r in talking and explaining about what u were trying to deliver. Well done.
Thank you, I appreciate it! I don't use a script so sometimes it turns out good and sometimes... not so much haha. But I'm glad this one was a good one!
@@BrightLaneGardens Good luck, and don't worry, you doing great. Keep it up. Greeting from Dubai :)
I’ve always been told to soak rockwool in 5.5 ph water for 2 hours before planting. Is this not necessary? It’d be a nice step to skip. 😊
This is a great question - I was also told to soak rockwool in pH adjusted water before planting (I've always heard around 6pH). The very first time I ever used rockwool I didn't bother with the pH adjusted water and it worked just fine for me, so I never tried to adjust it! BUT I have to say I have well water on my property and it is pretty neutral water in general as I don't usually have to do too much for my hydro setup, so I would start by just testing your water to see if it's already in that 5.5-6.5 range. The more I get into hydroponics and just gardening in general, the more I realize how lucky we are to have the water we have here!
I’d love to see how you transplanted these to your hydroponic system. Do you transplant with the rock wool or remove it? Also have you ever used LECA with self watering pots?
Hi Tony! Perfect timing - I just finished filming my transplant video. I need a few days to edit and then it will be live! I’ll leave a comment once it’s ready :)
Congratulations
Thank you!
You leave the hole uncovered but seen people use a tiny bit of rockwool to cover the hole after the seed has been dropped in - is this a good idea or should it be left open
I tend to leave the holes open because I used a humidity dome to cover my seedlings so the moisture stays pretty consistent in there. A lot of people do try to close the top of the holes which is also fine, I think typically they want the seed to be covered to help keep moisture in, or it’s a habit carried over from planting seeds in soil and covering the tops with a fine layer of soil.
For some seeds that require a high moisture level to sprout, I’ll cover with a really fine layer of sand. This helps keep the seed very moist without having to tear apart the top of my rock wool cube. Hope that helps!
I like seeds.
Ditto! Starting plants from seeds is one of my favorite ways to garden 🪴
what temperature do you put the mat to?
Usually between 75-80 degrees! I have a fair amount of sun that shines through the window behind me so I'm cautious not to keep it too hot with the additional heat :)
You don't have any concerns about handling dry rockwool without any gloves or mouth cover?
My husband said the same thing, he has worked with rockwool in building projects and always wore protection. I never have with the cubes (ignorance at first, then just doing the usual process) but I am fortunate to have never broken out on my skin! I’m always (always) careful about what I inhale when working with plants. Perlite, potting soil, fertilizer etc can all have adverse effects when inhaled. Moisture is your friend in this case! The wet rockwool cubes will not release debris into the air, at least significantly less than dry material. But plenty of people use full protection with this material and that’s the best approach when it comes to safety! Follow me for my gardening tips, but probably not my safety tips 😉
please tell me how to make this work on my 5 gal fabrick pots . i cant get my ph down ! no matter how much i use, i dont get it ? it says it work with soil. i have well water also . thanks ! really need some help . i must me not to smart . thank you .
Hi Richard! Not to worry, we can help with this. First of all, what are you using to measure your soil pH? Make sure it's a tester that is actually designed for soil (I like these strips for indoor plants amzn.to/3TVHMls), water pH testers will not be as accurate. Secondly, it can take a little while for soil pH to correct itself - it's not within a few minutes like it is for water. When I amend my garden soil with sulfur, it's usually a few weeks to a month before I start to notice any difference when I test. So you may need to wait a little while before you start seeing results. Lastly, for your next batch of plants (or if you want to repot these plants) you'll want to mix up a large container of soil first, add in your acidifier (pH down or a granular equivalent, which I recommend for soil) then wait 1-2 weeks to take some soil measurements. Once you have your soil where you want it, then you can pot up your plants. If you live in a region with pine trees, dead pine needles can also be a great addition to soil to bring down pH, as pine needles are naturally acidic. I always toss in a handful of dead, dry pine needles for my container plants!
👍🏻
Thank you!
I think plants like the crap in city water more
Some days I definitely feel like that... I think oftentimes our well water just varies with the amount of softener and the season too.
I’m starting to germinate and it can be iffy🫠
I know that feeling, if I forgot to water once I lose the entire tray 🤪
@@BrightLaneGardens tell me about it 😂😪