Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Rockwool ?????, 1 by Kell

Kell wrote:
LOL! As you can see everyone has their favorite ways to start seeds. But since you have rockwool already Sherry let me tell you how I use it successfully with no muss, no fuss!

I do things the easiest way! I happen to love rockwool. I have over 300 healthy seedling this year I hate to admit! Some were just planted up to 5 gallon cans yesterday.

They are huge and healthy and beautiful!

I have never ever used any additive on the rockwool. I never squeeze out water after I wet it or cut any rockwool off after they have germinated and before planting.

I do not make it complicated in any way.

I take the rockwool and break it apart with my hands to fit into my tupperware. I then take it to the sink and fill it with warm water to cover. I then turn the container over with my hands on the rockwool to keep it from falling out. I drain all excess water out. I take my seeds and slightly push them into the holes in the rockwool so I can see see them. If I have more seeds than holes, I take a knife and make enough little slices in the rockwool to accomadate them all.

I then take a plastic bag and under the faucet and run a little water in it. I then swish the water around the bag and then turn it upside down and drain it. I then place my tupperware in it, blow some air into it, twist the top closed and secure it with a velcro tie. I put it directly under my lights on my seedlings rack.

I takes me about 2 mintues if that, to do it all!

When ready to plant in dirt, (WASH HANDS FIRST) I just open the bag and tear off the cube that has the seedling in it. I take my new pot, with dirt already in the bottom, place the rockwool cube in it, fill dirt around it and on top of it, press dirt firmly around. And water! I then prop up any remaining cubes not ready to plant up and blow air in bag and reclose! Then back under the lights.

I wish I had taken more pictures but here is one I took when I was first doing it.