Rockwool

I just read Kells thread about the rockwool. After reading 200+ posts, im a bit confused.

I'm a tad bit challenged when it comes to starting seeds.

What is the best one to get? I went to the website site (worm way?) and found quite a few different sizes of the rockwool.

To be honest, i've never had a brug seed start from seed. I've killed 'em all. I dont have any right now to even try to start, but id like to be ready by the time pods start ripening. (lol, i dont even have any buds yet, let alone pods, but a girl can hope)

Thanks,
Jen

i can send you some seeds jen send me your addy

you realize youre giving them a death sentance, right?
LOL
jen

I went with rockwool earlier this year and had pretty good luck with it, but I've had better luck pouring boiling water through my pots of soil and then let them cool. Put soaked seeds on the soil and press so they make good contact and then place the pots in plastic bags and tie them shut. This is kind of what Monika does except she soaks her soil in the boiling water and she uses tubs to plant in and plastic wrap to seal them. It is much cheaper than rockwool.

I didn't have much luck with the rockwool. I'm not going to use it again for seeds. I think it is easier to just sow them in sterile potting mix and go from there. JMHO

I still use rockwool. I have the best germination rate with it and it is so fast. LOL. Too good! I have so many seedlings I can't stand it! I do not soak my seeds though like some people do for 24 or 48 hours. I do not know if that makes a difference with the results. I like the smaller cubes the best. I think they are 1 inch across. I do not push the seed down into the rockwool. Just tuck them in the hole so you can still see the whole seed, in but not down. I also make airtight in a slightly wet clear plastic bag and place under lights. I have no heat source. I wish I did!

I have done some like Brugie does, and it worked for me also just not as many. It wasn't as fast for me as the rockwool either.

I am going to try to root RK in rockwool when I get home. If it does a good job with that one, I will swear by it! LOL

I REALLY hate to have to ask this, but what is rockwood and were do you find it??? TIA!!!! SherryLike

This is the most reasonable to be found and the correct one for starting seeds.
http://www.bghydro.com/page/BHOS/PROD/GM/GMRWAO25

This message was edited Apr 22, 2004 11:17 AM

Sherry...check out this link: I'm Sold... http://davesgarden.com/t/414428/#new

I purchased some last evening after reading the whole 200 posts...at BetterGrowhydro http://www.bghydro.com/page/BHOS/CTGY/GM

I bought from better gro and I bought some on ebay . everything i put in it germinated but i wonder about the biodegradiablity of it.

What's the worry ? It is made from spun stone after all. Of course it will not degrade anymore than stone will, but it does eventually seem to disperse as the plants grow. It's like stretching a cotton ball, kinda .. sorta =)

thanks scoot :~)) i was wondering if it would do that as the roots got bigger. I think i made a big boo boo though. i germinated carrots in it and planted them in the garden i wonder will i be eating rockwool this summer LOL

Carrots ??? Holey-Moley Batgirl, that's some expensive carrots yer growing there ...... hahahaha !

picturelady posted: I purchased some last evening

Do you mind telling me exactly which one you ordered?? There are so many choices and I want to get it right. Courser I don't even have any seeds, but, I want to be ready in case I ever get some, ya know??!! Thanks!!! SLike

Sherrylike....I ordered the sheets, one with 1" blocks and the other with 1.5" blocks...I figured then I had it for large and small seeds. I also ordered the conditioner (6.95) I think it was. This is right from the order:

1x1x1.5'' Rockwool Cubes

Rockwool Soak by Supernatural

1.5x1.5'' Rockwool Cubes

They are pretty fast too, my order is supposed to be delivered on Mon. Good luck...let's keep each other up on how it is working for us, OK?

Sherry , not only is the the best price but it is also the correct size for starting seeds. The larger slabs and wrapped cubes are mainly for starting cuttings and do not let the proper anount of air/water for optimal germination as the small 200 per sheet cubes.

Once again http://www.bghydro.com

PS, I can send you a few and some conditioner to try, for postage if you like. I always have some around. I've used it for 2 years now.


This message was edited Apr 23, 2004 12:51 PM

scooterbug...Yes, thank you for putting up a photo..those are the ones I ordered!

SpringSong,
Thank you for the seeds. I'm excited to try them, although ive never had any luck with seeds.
ttyl
jen

did you get them already? i hope they do well for you the rockwool is great, I put seeds in it, and put them in a plastic bowl and cover with that new saran wrap, and set them on my kitchen table in front of the slididng glass door, and it is miraculous the germination rate!! almost too good i have more gourds than i can plant here, and every brug seed i planted germinated as well except two stubborn, double crosses but they are still hard so i am not throwing them away!!They are just like babies some are born early and some are born late and the rest like my two have to be hatched!!

I just came across this great link explaining and showing photos of how to use rockwool with brug seeds! It looks great for those of us just getting started with it! Sherry & I ! and others?!
http://www.brugmansias.org/rockwool.html

Thanks all for the rockwool info, the links are wonderful and I ordered today. I bet I never have to order again, it might take a fork lift to deliver, whew!!!

I never post to lists re urban legends, or a hoax, but after I placed several orders with paypal over the weekend, I received a hoax? from a crook, trying to get into my account by tricking me to give out my e-mail addy and pass word. Be careful if you received odd mail from someone asking for such info, I know you know to do that, but this message sounded true, but I just deleted it after forwarding it to my ISP & paypall & and the AR Attorney General's office.

SherryLike

that is scary!!

I noticed on the link I put on, just above...they do not cover the rockwool and seeds and it takes 5 weeks for them to sprout! I wonder why they are not covering it! ? Seems like the germination time is so much better when covered!
My rockwool supplies are due to arrive today, so I can get planting & let you know how I do!

.............If you use the soak and squeeze it dry enough, as recommended at the BGI site, so the color lightens up you should have no problem.
............. Remember the reason for this medium is the balance of water & air . There should not be any water in the bottom of the container you use.

..............Different Brug seeds vary in time to germination. The age of the seed plays in this also.
.................RW is sterile , so keep everything else clean as possible. containers ,tools , hands, etc. This will greatly reduce the chance of mold destroying your seeds.
=)

Think I will try Burgie's method with CD containers. Have an good supply of them. Will try a few seeds and save some if it does not work out. Mini Green House

For what its worth, I bought mine here, last time: Cheaper than BG Hydro and no shipping charge!

http://www.hydroempire.com/store/product_info.php/cPath/9/products_id/146

I use the disposable aluminum cake pans that have a clear plastic dome. Soak RW in the ph balancer, do not wring out the liquid. Place in the pan. Place seeds in the holes. Put the lid on securely. Place the container so that the lid is within an inch or two of your fluorescent bulb. After they sprout, I transplant to a 4" pot and keep them under the lights.

Hope this helps...


AND, WELCOME BACK SPRINGSONG!!! YOU'VE BEEN MISSED!!!!!!!

This message was edited Nov 24, 2004 7:21 PM

Borrowed from " Brugmansia Growers International " site

Moisture for germination
Brug seeds, like all others, will only grow if they have sufficient warmth, an adequate supply of air, and have access to sufficient moisture. Rockwool is a very effective thermal insulator and cushions the seeds against short term extremes of temperature. It is a very porous material which permits a relatively large amount of air to be retained within it. Indeed, it is that air that makes rockwool such an excellent thermal insulation material. In satisfaction of the need for access to water, this air can be partially or totally displaced by water. This latter characteristic of rockwool requires the greatest care in practice if brugs are to grow rather than rot. Too much water and the seeds will certainly rot; too little and they simply will not grow.

To achieve a satisfactory state of dampness a quick immersion of the lower half of the block of cubes in pure clean water should be followed by a very careful compression of the cubes. Compression to about three quarters of their original volume by squeezing the rockwool parallel to the direction of its grain will do the trick. (Rockwool fibers are directional and compress easily parallel to their grain but less easily along their grain). If you have any doubt about the quality of your water supply then use boiled or, better still, distilled water.

The initial watering is shown in the illustration and, although the water has rapidly soaked up the rockwool you can see that the water had not reached the top surface before the blocks were removed. (Note the colour difference between the dry and the watered parts of the cubes).

Interested in using RW ?
To view entire page .
http://www.brugmansia.us/rockwool.html

I have never squeezed any moisture out of my rockwool. I just stick a large enough square of it that fits into my tupperware, fill the tupperware with hot water. I turn it over and drain out the excess and put in the seeds. I then enclose it in a damp, clear plastic bag, then put it under lights and wait. I am getting about 90% germination.

I don't squeeze mine either and I haven't had any problems with rot or mold. I followed the instructions that came with my pH balancer.

Kaufmann - Re: pH Balancer, is there a pH problem with your water or do you use a "balancer" as a precaution?? On the Hydroempire website I didn't see a specific product named "pH Balancer", therefore the question.

Thank you ALL for taking the time to post the above information.

Judy

I never have used a PH balancer or any additive for that matter. Just water! I washed my hands well before I touched anything though, to help cut down on possible contamination. I have never had mold either!

Oh the pH balancer is just full of nutrients. I have very alkaline water, so I figured it can't hurt. I think they sell it as a rockwool pre-soak. I'm probably wasting my money on it....

Kelley

your seedlings look a little bit crowded
are they any trouble to seperate the roots when they are that close ?
i also do NOT squeeze the water out of RW
this is a pict of 14 day old seedlings of an HGX

Dick

Great pictures everyone!!!

Dick, they are! LOL. I have no room under my lights. I add a lot of extra holes to the rockwool so I can fit all one kind in one tupperware. They do fine. I just gently pull them apart and they come out very easily!