flood and drain medium question

[RocRaida]

ive got a 2x4 table plan on using 4 inch rockwool cubes...can the cubes just sit on the bottom of the tray or should there be something below them when the table is flooded?

thanks

 

[Knally]

Not the same question, but same concept with 6" rockwool cubes in a 4'x4' flood & drain and want to know which medium is better to cover the bottom of the table with and why? I am considering loose piece coir, hydrotron, silica rock. I'm leaning towards the loose piece coir due to its high aeration content and moisture retention capabilities, but the hydroton will give a great base for the root structure to take over.

Opinions? Plan on doing 4 white widow, 4 strawberry cough, 4 dutch dragon & 4 blueberry.

 

[SmokeyMcPopkinZ]

Hydroton works best IMO and really is best for ebb an flow because of how well it supports the roots and plants as a whole

 

[petrol420]

Just as SmokeyMcPopkinZ said, Hydroton works best. I put my rockwool in containers that had a little Hydroton in there. I like this method since it's easier to pull out all the plants if you need to clean your tray.

 

[shaun1says]

I use 4" rockwool just straight on top of my trays. I have 2X4 and 4X4 and I have never ran into any problem. I used to run a layer of cocoa mat under my cubes but I would only suggest that if you have really big plants.

 

[petrol420]

I use 4" rockwool just straight on top of my trays. I have 2X4 and 4X4 and I have never ran into any problem. I used to run a layer of cocoa mat under my cubes but I would only suggest that if you have really big plants.

I wanted to try that but it seems like the roots have nowhere to go. How tall do you grow your plants?

 

[WhitestOfWidows]

hydroton is the future coco in net pots , in hydroton is my chosen method , but you'll need to mesh the drain/entry holes as its a bit messy at first