Hi Sylvia:
I don't know what the correct terminology is, just what I use, as explained above. Signs of life are all that matter at this point, right? LOL
I am sold!!!
Here's the bag -- its raining here, just so y'all know how special you are, that I braved it to go take these pics!
And the back of the bag
I tried Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Mix for just brug seeds. I still have some weeks later that have not come up and I germinated them first in paper towels. And those I direct sowed, took much longer to come up and I had a much lower rate of germination.
Your soiless mix must be much better.
I don't know... Like I said, I haven't tried brug seeds in this, only the rock wool. Did you read the ingredients on my bag? Is it similar to the MG? Everyone has ways that work for them, and I am sold on the rockwool's ease of use, and the fact that you can watch what's happening. You can't do that with the Hoffman's :)
LOL.. I had no clue that soiless included sphagnum peat! I was thinking yours was totally different. MG has sphagnum peat, perlite, fertilizer and a wetting agent. So looks similar.
Do your experiment and let us know. I would be interested to know about the rate of germination also. That was what really sold me!
That's the only reason I mentioned it here -- I was just dumbfounded to realize the dats sprouted faster in it than in RW. Man, that little bag of dat seeds is going a long way. I would say I've had about 99% germination success with it!
I had soaked 2 calliandra californica seeds before I planted them. One of them started sprouting in the water before I could get them planted, so I put it in a pot of good mix next to a lamp. The other one I put in rockwool on the same day. The potted one didn't show anything above the soil until a couple of days ago, and the first true leaves are showing but not opened up yet. The rockwool seed sprouted first and has several sets of true leaves. I'll have to move it in a couple of days because it's about to touch the top of the dome. I have several different kinds of seeds in a regular flat with a domed lid.
Thanks, Kaufman, just wanted to be sure I understood correctly. That is the great thing about these forums, sharing our experiences for everyone's benefit.
Most of these mixes are 80% peat, 10% vermiculite, and 10% perlite. I think a little lime would benefit the brugs later on, when they are potted up, as the mix is on the acid side.
Thanks Pardancanda -- I think I've read that somewhere else and I'll try to remember to do that :)
I have 27 brugs that have germinated and 1 sprout in the rock wool!
Put me down as one
"I Like This Stuff!"
Maya.
root, did you do anything besides cut and stick on the cuttings?
I did dip in Root tone,I am going to do some more today,if I can work near that VooDoo bulb!
Looking good Root! I was holding off till spring for the difficult ones to root, but I guess since the daffodils and cherry trees are blooming I may dive in here too!
Kell, the seeds I soaked were ones sent to me, so assume they were dry. Hope I don't ruin the little seedlings while trying to pull off the cork.
I went to the hydroponics store today,can't believe all the stuff they have.Its so funny,the company s based in Canada,this is the only store of theirs thats in the USA,Its called....California Hydroponics.....they gave me a catalog.they have TONS of stuff.They have that superthrive ,rockwool,oasis cubes,coconut fiber,and all the stuff the hydroponics stores use...I kept my spending to a minimum....can only sneak so much past Chuck......
They had some 8x8 cubes,and I was curious...can waterlilies and other water plants be grown in rockwool?I'm going to ask on the pond forum......
Also try the Hydroponics Forum.
=)
see how stuck in a rut I am....didn't even know there was one....
Datura, anyone? These are in the soiless seed starting mixture by Hoffman. Heaven only knows where I'm going to put them all when its time to prick them out for pots!!!!
Planted 1/30/04. There is also some hollyhock on the right and some oleander on the left...
They look like purple dats. I'd say your acreage should be very pretty this year.
Oh I sure hope so Shirley! They are Datura Tatula from Happenstance. They are the only dats I've been able to get going so far, and they sprout so fast!
They look great! Make sure you collect the seeds though, if you ever intend to grow anything else. LOL
I know, its sick isn't it? I only hope that DG'rs will want lots of DT seeds! They've already outgrown the dome, so they've been moved to the GH. Hope they survive the change!
Gretchen, where did you purchase the starting mix by Hoffman's? I'd like to try that method as well.
Hi Sylvia! I got it out here in Bulverde at Cragg's Do It Best Center. Its on 46, a little west of the HEB. I don't know if they still have it, I bought this on clearance last Fall. Kell said that it has the same ingredients as the Miracle Gro seed starter. They're all probably about the same. I have had good results with this though, and I'm nearly out of it... I'm going over there (to Cragg's) tomorrow for more lights and I'll let you know if they have it.
OK....I spent the last 2 hours, on my way to bed, reading this post. I am convinced. I just ordered the 1" block and 1.5" block slabs plus conditioner from BG Hydro. I am anxious to try it out! It looks like many of you got really good results.
I have already planted 24 brug seeds in planting mix, but I have other seeds to try in this rock wool... I will be anxious to see how they do and how everyone is doing!
I had some banana seeds that I started in RW back in February. They never came up, but I decided just to leave them in the plastic bag, in the rw. About a week ago, they finally sprouted... Pretty amazing!
I still love rockwool, Margie! I have had the best germination rate and most are very fast!!
Oh, dear. Kell posted: I soak all my seeds in Physan 20 per Poppysue & Monika, that should cut down on any mold.
What the heck is Physan 20??????? Do I have to order it??? TIA!!
Sherry, just soak your seeds in a one part hydrogen peroxide to ten parts water soak for 10 minutes or so or you can use Clorox instead. No need to buy the Physan.
I tried the rockwool and it didn't work, but I think it was the seeds that were the problem, not the product. Will be trying it again as soon as I find which box I stuck them in.
Seems the season is starting up again, so I'm bumping this one for any who didn't see it last Spring. Gretchen
Thanks Gretchen, this is good! Jenny
You're welcome, Jenny. It really is the way to go for really special seeds, in my honest opinion.
Some nice person (can't remember who) provided a link to Hydro Empire, on another thread (can't remember which one)...I'm having quite a day, aren't I? Anyway, this is the cheapest price on RW I have seen and FREE shipping! The place I ordered from last charged an arm & a leg to ship the stuff... Just thought y'all might be interested :) Gretchen
http://www.hydroempire.com/default.php?osCsid=bf03d869ec5ef301dca1ce7df840458f
I posted about the RW at that site, they were very nice, I got email yesterday to say they had mailed my order.
Kareoke: yes, they are nice. They sent me a couple of e-mails -- one that my order had been received, and another later that day that the order had been shipped. I hope that you purchased the pre-soak which adjusts the ph of the rockwool. Its loaded with nutrients necessary to help sustain life until you transplant your seedlings. Also, I ended up using aluminum cake pans with the clear plastic dome covers. A lot cheaper than anything designed for plants... Hope this is helpful! :) Gretchen
Gretchen
I went to look at the sight you have posted and it looks pretty good to me, thanks for sharing. Where is the pre-soak located? I saw the cubes (rock wool) but is the pre-soak separate and what is it called exactly, it's not returning anything under the search button for - 'pre-soak' lolol....dont laugh at me, this is my first time attempting to buy rockwool....this seems too good to pass up :)
Julie: Here is the link for Hydro Empire's specific "Conditioner".
http://www.hydroempire.com/product_info.php/products_id/647
I have not used it, but have used:
http://www.bghydro.com/page/BHOS/PROD/GM/NEGRS
It goes a long way -- 1 tsp per gallon. You soak the RW in it, then plant your seeds. It adjusts the ph and has fertilizers in it.
Gretchen
I have never used the presoak or the additives. I just soak the rockwool in water and drain it well. I put the seed slightly pressed into rockwool so that the light shines on them. I then enclose tightly in a damp clear plastic bag. I put it under low lights.
And to correct what I said earlier and what Sherry repeated: I STOPPED USING PHYSAN!! I had a terrible germination rate with those seeds if I even got one to germinate at all. So I can't personally recommend. I know some like it. So decide for yourself. I do use the 10% bleach with no problem.
Thanks Gretchen for link. When I run out I will check it out!