Anyone use Rock Wool Plugs ?

Old chef · February 14, 2016

Does anyone have any experience starting tomatoes in Rock Wool Plugs?

Wondering if I can start seeds in these small plugs then go directly to 2 1/2 in square pots.
My issue has been starting multiple types of seeds of different age and the different length of time needed to sprout in a 72 1020. What gets covered and what doesn't need to be covered etc...

Any information would be appreciated

Old Chef

heirloomtomaguy · February 14, 2016

I have tried all kinds of mediums for starting seeds. I too want the ease of transplanting. I tried peat, coco, rockwool you name it and finally found the perfect plug. They are called Root Riot cubes. They work with the same ease as rockwool only they are ph balanced right out of the bag and they seem to keep moist for a bit longer. They are also biodegradable. The company and a couple others who make these peay cubes extact a plany based polymer out of peat in order to keep the fine moss held together. I started 72 seeds in these this year and had 69 seeds come up within 5 days without helmet heads. I now swear vy these things and plan on using them to start all my seeds from here on out. Here is a link to their webpage.
http://www.growthtechnology.com/product/root-riot/

Ricky Shaw · February 14, 2016

I know the problem you speak of, I'm just opposed to buying something else. Anyway, I've been starting seeds with ProMix Hp, same thing I pot up with.

I just buy the break apart trays and scissor cut those into smaller three compartment units if needed. You can pull out the smaller sets as they pop, and helps to segregate plant types.

Ricky Shaw · February 14, 2016

Now I do get a lot of helmet heads, that's a fact. Never noticed so many in years past. I'm a convert to shallow seeding, but it does seem to promote more helmet heads.

Old chef · February 14, 2016

Thanks for the quick responses.

Heirloomtomaguy- I was able to order them on Amazon. Thank you for the recommendation

Ricky Shaw - I did it exactly how you are doing it last year. I was simply looking for something a bit less labor intensive.

Thank you
Old Chef

Waiting · February 14, 2016

I've used rock wool cubes and Root Riot and I much prefer the rock wool. I think there's a full bag of Root Riot around here somewhere that I'll never use. The problem I've had with rock wool is algae growth but that can be controlled. And neither provide nutrients.

gary

Cole_Robbie · February 14, 2016

If you use rockwool, the dust is very bad to breathe. Also, the other thing about rockwool, 100% saturation is too wet for good germination. Seeds will sprout a lot better if you try to keep the moisture of the cube closer to 50-60%

I'm a big fan of Fox Farm's "Light Warrior" seed starting mix. I think it is the most expensive product on the market, but a little goes a long way, so I think it's worth the ridiculous $18-20 a bag price.

Tracydr · February 14, 2016

How do you prep the rock wool? I have some but never wanted to use it in AZ since our tap water was alkaline. We now have quite acidic water so I thought I might get some use out of them.

Waiting · February 14, 2016

I use the 2.5" cubes. I soak them to get them fully wet. Then poke a little hole in the top, about a quarter inch deep. Drop a seed in and push the rook wool in on top with a toothpick. I put them in small plastic drink cups and keep a little water in the cup because they can dry out quickly. After they get true leaves I water with a very dilute fertilzer solution.

kurt · February 15, 2016

Some info and discussion from before.

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...light=rockwool

Leon in Alaska · February 16, 2016

Starting seeds in rock wool is a breeze. The most common mistake is too much water to soon. I've used the rapid rooters and other similar starters. I always go back to rock wool. After they root well, I move them into pumice stone.
Oops! Back to germinating. I soak my cubes in distilled water with rooting hormone. It doesn't matter, just use your favorite hormone. Adjust per label. Shoot for ph of 5.0, soak for about a half hour. I use the 1-1/2 cubes. Sometimes the little ones that fit in a tray. Remove cubes from water and very lightly shake out excess water. Key word lightly! Place 2-3 seeds per cube, I use a toothpick and push them down into the hole. 1/4"-1/2" is fine. Cover with a humididome. Place under low lighting. T5 s are what I use. As soon as they start popping thru the wool, remove the humididome. If you don't they will stretch. I use a bloom fertilize only for the first week at 200 ppm's. As soon as a root appears you can move to soil. I use a tray about 3 inches deep in fertilized water, dip the cubes, hold above tray and allow to drain.
Hi, I am new here, my name is Leon. I am not a expert by any stretch of the imagination. I joined to learn how to grow BIG maters'. Up here we have to start all veggies inside and move them outside later. I use a lot of rock wool. ��

February 14, 2016	#1
Old chef Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Long island Posts: 456	Anyone use Rock Wool Plugs ? Does anyone have any experience starting tomatoes in Rock Wool Plugs? Wondering if I can start seeds in these small plugs then go directly to 2 1/2 in square pots. My issue has been starting multiple types of seeds of different age and the different length of time needed to sprout in a 72 1020. What gets covered and what doesn't need to be covered etc... Any information would be appreciated Old Chef

February 14, 2016	#2
heirloomtomaguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: glendora ca Posts: 2,560	I have tried all kinds of mediums for starting seeds. I too want the ease of transplanting. I tried peat, coco, rockwool you name it and finally found the perfect plug. They are called Root Riot cubes. They work with the same ease as rockwool only they are ph balanced right out of the bag and they seem to keep moist for a bit longer. They are also biodegradable. The company and a couple others who make these peay cubes extact a plany based polymer out of peat in order to keep the fine moss held together. I started 72 seeds in these this year and had 69 seeds come up within 5 days without helmet heads. I now swear vy these things and plan on using them to start all my seeds from here on out. Here is a link to their webpage. http://www.growthtechnology.com/product/root-riot/ __________________ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

February 15, 2016	#10
kurt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl. Posts: 2,500	Some info and discussion from before. http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...light=rockwool __________________ KURT

February 14, 2016	#4
Ricky Shaw Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro Posts: 1,910	Now I do get a lot of helmet heads, that's a fact. Never noticed so many in years past. I'm a convert to shallow seeding, but it does seem to promote more helmet heads.

February 14, 2016	#6
Waiting Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Central California Posts: 87	I've used rock wool cubes and Root Riot and I much prefer the rock wool. I think there's a full bag of Root Riot around here somewhere that I'll never use. The problem I've had with rock wool is algae growth but that can be controlled. And neither provide nutrients. gary

February 14, 2016	#7
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	If you use rockwool, the dust is very bad to breathe. Also, the other thing about rockwool, 100% saturation is too wet for good germination. Seeds will sprout a lot better if you try to keep the moisture of the cube closer to 50-60% I'm a big fan of Fox Farm's "Light Warrior" seed starting mix. I think it is the most expensive product on the market, but a little goes a long way, so I think it's worth the ridiculous $18-20 a bag price.

February 14, 2016	#8
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	How do you prep the rock wool? I have some but never wanted to use it in AZ since our tap water was alkaline. We now have quite acidic water so I thought I might get some use out of them.

February 16, 2016	#11
Leon in Alaska Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alaska Posts: 1	Starting seeds in rock wool is a breeze. The most common mistake is too much water to soon. I've used the rapid rooters and other similar starters. I always go back to rock wool. After they root well, I move them into pumice stone. Oops! Back to germinating. I soak my cubes in distilled water with rooting hormone. It doesn't matter, just use your favorite hormone. Adjust per label. Shoot for ph of 5.0, soak for about a half hour. I use the 1-1/2 cubes. Sometimes the little ones that fit in a tray. Remove cubes from water and very lightly shake out excess water. Key word lightly! Place 2-3 seeds per cube, I use a toothpick and push them down into the hole. 1/4"-1/2" is fine. Cover with a humididome. Place under low lighting. T5 s are what I use. As soon as they start popping thru the wool, remove the humididome. If you don't they will stretch. I use a bloom fertilize only for the first week at 200 ppm's. As soon as a root appears you can move to soil. I use a tray about 3 inches deep in fertilized water, dip the cubes, hold above tray and allow to drain. Hi, I am new here, my name is Leon. I am not a expert by any stretch of the imagination. I joined to learn how to grow BIG maters'. Up here we have to start all veggies inside and move them outside later. I use a lot of rock wool. ��