having trouble with rockwool seed sprout, and a random hydro setup question,need help

I have never had a problem getting a seed to sprout in soil. Now that im trying hydro i cant get the damn thing to sprout. A few concerns to me are the fact that the rockwool becomes dry so frequently and also that the rockwool does not form a cover over the seed, meaning that the hole that i put the seed in does not completely shut and you can see the seed if you look in it. how frequently do you have to water the rockwool and also is it a problem that the seed is not completely covered like it would be if it was in soil. also completely off topic but i purchased a hydro setup off ebay and the ring that the water drips from doesnt even look like the water would come in contact with the rockwool once i set it in there in the clay pebbles. meaning it drips on the outer part as opposed to dripping in the center where the plant would be. is this a problem or will the clay pebbles some how make the nutes and the water run to the rockwool in the center....please help

first of all, are you pre-soaking your rockwool cubes in 5.5 Ph water for a few hours before putting your seed in? you also might want to try germinating using the paper towel method and dropping the seed in after it gets its taproot. as far as your question about the drip system, the expanded clay wicks water to the rockwool, keeping it from being soaked. you can also have your rockwool be too wet as well as too dry, so you have to find a happy "medium" somewhere. (get it?)

Hi, You could try and pinch a bit of rockwool off the bottom and poking it in the gap at the top.

i usually squeeze the top of the cube after to close it up and have never had trouble but pistilsatdawn's idea is pretty good.

mincemeat said:

i usually squeeze the top of the cube after to close it up and have never had trouble but pistilsatdawn's idea is pretty good.

Click to expand...

the holes inside of rockwool are designed for clones.. not seeds... make a new hole off center deep enough to house the seed and taproot... then squish the rockwool hole down to ensure that there is good contact with the rockwool. it needs to stay moist and warm... good luck hope i helped

well dude ...


a way to simply do this .. is what a lot f people taht i have ran into that grow do (I aswell participate in doing htis osmetimes)

1st. germ seed(s)
2nd. put in a cup of soil..
3rd..wait forit to sprout .. once it sprouts... after a day or two...
4th. GENTLY flip cup upside down... take plant out of soil... get the soil off the roots(sometimes running under luke warm water).
5th.Break rockwool in half, put seedling in it ...put rockwool back together, put in netcup, pour hydroton in it...
6. sit back and watch it grow

skunkman98536 said:

well dude ...


a way to simply do this .. is what a lot f people taht i have ran into that grow do (I aswell participate in doing htis osmetimes)

1st. germ seed(s)
2nd. put in a cup of soil..
3rd..wait forit to sprout .. once it sprouts... after a day or two...
4th. GENTLY flip cup upside down... take plant out of soil... get the soil off the roots(sometimes running under luke warm water).
5th.Break rockwool in half, put seedling in it ...put rockwool back together, put in netcup, pour hydroton in it...
6. sit back and watch it grow

Click to expand...

yuck.. soil is gross.....do u have a hothouse or seedling heat mat?? if ur gonna go hydro u dont want ur shit to ever touch grimmey soil

MRsteverson said:

yuck.. soil is gross.....do u have a hothouse or seedling heat mat?? if ur gonna go hydro u dont want ur shit to ever touch grimmey soil

Click to expand...

lol ... soil is GROSS?

i have been doin that for 2yrs .. but i guess your right

skunkman98536 said:

lol ... soil is GROSS?

i have been doin that for 2yrs .. but i guess your right

Click to expand...

lol sorry that sounded like a burn.. let me rephrase it... if i was going to go soil id go soil all the way... hydro same deal....sorry for sounding like a jerk lol... if soil works for u then run with it.. as soon as i went to other medium the germination rate has been almost 100%