theoe said:

I am a noob starting my first ever indoor hydroponic tent grow but have had real difficulty getting my ladies past seedling stage before they suffer from damping off or root rot. I am using rockwool starter cubes and intend to transfer them to larger cubes and then use a recycled drip system reservoir. I still haven’t even managed to get them past starter cube stage and its really haunting me. I have tried diluted H2O2 to try and salvage them to no avail. After some research I understand that ‘beneficial bacteria’ alongside nutrients (I am using tripart GH nutes) can help in preventing and fighting off root rot. The brand I keep coming across is Botanicare Hydroguard. I have also heard about SnakeOil and Great White. The problem is I am in Europe and none of these products seem available unless for an extortionate price. I have also heard that using some sort of pond bacteria could work. What are peoples opinions on these products? Can anybody suggest any affordable alternatives?

Really would be so appreciative of any advice!

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theoe said:

Yeah all advice seems to point in the direction. I’ve decided to start from scratch using a sterile system. Seems far more straight forward than trying to control bacterium. Going to use hydroton and dial in more frequent watering/feeding. Anyone have any advice or resources on just how often to water hydroton? also could I use bleach instead of h202? It’s seems to be cheaper and does more or less the same as long as I keep my res oxygenated with an air stone. And lastly what do you recommend is the best germination method for growing in hydroton? Should I still use a rockwool starter cube, or just skip that altogether and go straight into the pebbles? Thanks

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Ponky said:

I use 5 gallon buckets.
6" basket lid
Hydroclay pellets rinsed and aeration. DWC.
I make clones with cloning collars and place the clone into the basket and have to full of water in a bucket. So the roots are floating. Then I gently add the pebbles gently around the roots of the bare clone. Then when it's all potted up I place it in its forever spot. Be real gentle in the roots. Rockwool would be another option.
Clones in rockwool I find are not desirable but work. Bare Clones with cloning collars seem best for hydroponic buckets.
A cutting can be cloned in the clay pellets. And it will grow there and be just fine. But I prefer to make a tub of Clones and pick on the best ones to grow

Keep water temps under control. Root rot requires low oxygen. Warm water and poor circulation are big culprits.Refresh hydrogen peroxide every top up and change.

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Cashmeh said:

Sterile environments are more susceptible to root rot than live environments.

Most chemicals used to destroy the cell walls of bacteria easily will not destroy the fungus as easily.

Your essentially killing all the bacteria on a sterile system but not the fungus, your actually trying to prevent it. If you have a good system, it will be prevented, but all the chemicals in the world won't stop bad root rot... Yet bacteria will... As long as you don't kill them with chemicals.

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LexLuthor said:

You want to put the seedlings directly in a basket of hydroton?

I don't think that would work, you should start them off in a rockwool cube or a root riot type of plug.

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