Rockwool for Seed Starting

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Rockwool for Seed Starting

I have been using Jiffy peat moss seed starter pellets to start seeds for my basement hydroponics experiments. I've made several efforts now to use rockwool, but my success rate is terrible.

I get a 90% germination rate using the peat moss pellets, but I have only achieved a 40% success rate with rockwool. I don't have an explanation for the significant difference between the two methods, but until I figure it out I guess I'll be sticking to peat moss starter pellets.

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Amateur Hydroponic Tips for Deep Water Culture

1. Wash your hydroton before using it. I didn't do that in my first project and ended up with a film of clay dust throughout the water chamber in my deep water culture bins.

2. Adjust your lighting before planting. It's very difficult to make adjustments after you've planted when using deep water culture.

3. Use a commercially produced nutrient. DIY is great for most things, but why not take advantage of professional research and development to flatten the initial hydroponic learning curve?

4. Shop around for the best prices. Some hydroponic shops are "friendlier" than others and it follows that some have lower prices than the competition.

5. DIY is cheaper than paying full retail for a "kit" system. You can look around on the Internet and find several examples at inexpensive, but effective hydroponic growing systems you can assemble yourself.

6. Buy a commercial quality air pump for aerating your deep water culture beds.

7. Kick start your basement hydroponics by maintaining temperatures at optimal levels for the vegetables you're growing.