Can rockwool be ruined by being soaked too long before being used?

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NewbieHydro

NewbieHydro

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Hey Folks

I was a little concerned that soaking for too long might change the structure and not let enough air in. I understand that it has to drain. This is my 1st grow and I'm a little apprehensive about everything. 😬

Thanks for reading my post
 
cemchris

cemchris

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No. If you are using Grodan you don't need to pre soak it anymore. That is advice back from when the cubes had a lot of lime in them from the manufacturing process. Not the case anymore. Only cubes I soak are rooters. Just water in the cubes before you transplant into them.
 
NewbieHydro

NewbieHydro

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That is good to know. I am germinating in macroplugs (Grodan) I'll transplant into hydroton, 2-gallon, ebb & flow, bucket system.
Thanks for your help
 
FatManatee

FatManatee

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I drench my rockwool cubes in boiling water before planting seeds or clones, a sure fire way to sterilize the cubes, and reduce risks of contamination further on.
 
NewbieHydro

NewbieHydro

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I appreciate y'all's help. I had 3 pop overnight I lowered my 2' - 2 bulb, T5 light closer (4"). The temp in the dome shot up to 90°, so I had to raise it. I want to avoid stretch. I had read that T5 6500K was a good choice for seedlings. Perhaps there is a more effective solution?
 
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cemchris

cemchris

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I appreciate y'all's help. I had 3 pop overnight I lowered my 2' - 2 bulb, T5 light closer (4"). The temp in the dome shot up to 90°, so I had to raise it. I want to avoid stretch. I had read that T5 6500K was a good choice for seedlings. Perhaps there is a more effective solution?

Good 2 go
 
NewbieHydro

NewbieHydro

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All but one popped over the weekend! The 1st 2 that popped went straight to the top of the dome. I have the light 2" above the dome. I'm not sure what is up with that. Any thoughts about what I can do differently?

4 day streach
 
cemchris

cemchris

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best suggestion is when popping seeds in rooter cubes as soon as a tap root pops out of the bottom of the cube transplant them. If not they will stretch quite a bit.
 
NewbieHydro

NewbieHydro

24
3
best suggestion is when popping seeds in rooter cubes as soon as a tap root pops out of the bottom of the cube transplant them. If not they will stretch quite a bit.

Thanks Chris... I can see that I still have much more to learn
 
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