Hi all, just looking for any useful advice I can get about transplanting into a dwc system as I have not been having very good luck. I am germinating in 1.5" rockwool starter cubes and once I see a few roots coming out the bottom of the cube I have been putting them straight into my dwc system with hydroton. I do not have a drip system so I have been top feeding but I just can't seem to get the roots to grow down into the nutrient solution. I'm now thinking that I have been transplanting too early ? So I got some 4" rockwool blocks and my new plan is to transplant the starter cubes into the blocks and leave in the tray for a little while longer. If anyone with experience could please guide me in the proper direction it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Transplanting into DWC
- Thread starter hollaway
- Start date
Popcorn900
Well-Known Member
Move some of the rocks around and I'm sure you will see root's. Be patient, how long since you put them in the pot's? Bring the solution right up to the bottoms of the pots and make sure there is lots of bubble coming from the air rocks as that is what will get the moisture to the roots until they hang. Then you can start to lower the solution. Got any pics?
dwc nyc diesel.
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https://www.rollitup.org/general-marijuana-growing/751139-how-do-you-think-there-25.html#post10238213Thanks for responding popcorn. It's been about 2 weeks since I transplanted to the dwc, I'm trying to be as patient as possible but it's tough when you don't have any experience with dwc and don't know what to expect. I am developing new top growth but VERY slow. I can't snap any pics at the moment as I'm at work but I definitely can when I get home.
superstoner1
Well-Known Member
Forget the rockwell and the rocks, both are unneeded breeding grounds and cause delays
superstoner1
Well-Known Member
Im a huge believer in using no media in hydro. Its only real purpose is support but there are many drawbacks that tend to give people a lot of problems. I use netpots and collars only, and save a bunch of money and time
superstoner1
Well-Known Member
Yes........
SableZen
Well-Known Member
I started to just germinate seeds straight into hydroton (no rockwool or start plugs) with their net cups only about 3/4 filled (I finish filling the net cups once the cotyledons are even with the top of the netcup lid). But I've noticed it takes forever for the roots to leave the netcup if a lot of the hydroton is fully wet all the time. I lower the water level about a 1/4" every day until the bottom layer of hydroton is only very occasionally getting hit by a popping bubble - and the roots grow down and leave the net cup much faster.
Commander Strax
Well-Known Member
I have had good luck with Rapid Rooters instead of rockwool
Popcorn900
Well-Known Member
I too have had great success with plug's. Rapid rooters work well.
superstoner1
Well-Known Member
The expanding jiffy pucks have been the absolute best way for me.
SableZen
Well-Known Member
I personally wouldn't use more than a small starter cube of rockwool in a DWC netcup (it stays too wet IMO). I haven't even used anything at all like rockwool (just don't like it) or stater plugs (ran out) recently. Just mentioning it to put your mind at rest a bit about transplanting at any time into the hydroton. You won't see a huge amount of growth (with the top of the plant) for a bit until the roots leave the netcup and then things will really speed up.
So based on the two pics I uploaded this morning would you recommend moving that seedling into the bucket or should I leave in my tray a while longer ? Thanks
SableZen
Well-Known Member
I like to get them in their permanent homes as soon as possible personally. Not sure how others do it, but at that age about the only thing they are doing is maniacally trying to establish a root system - and I don't like to interfere with that process (like I think transplanting does to some extent).
Hmm I've got to be doing something wrong then because this will be my 4th attempt at dwc. All my other failed attempts the plants just slowly start going downhill after the transplant and never bounce back. After 3-4 weeks in the system and no sign of roots in the netpot and a very sick looking plant I have dug up the rockwool and every one has lots of roots coming out of the rockwool but not growing through the hydroton ?
jcommerce
Well-Known Member
I always use rapid rooters. I hate rockwool with a passion.
SableZen
Well-Known Member
Do you lower the water level? I start lowering mine about a 1/4" average a day or about a 1/2" every couple of days when starting from seed after they have a tap root started. After the first couple of weeks, my buckets are maybe half full at most and I stop lowering the level. Hydroton still stays dripping wet on the bottom though from the random high-arcing bubble pops. But I usually see at least the tap root making it out before the 2 week old mark. Could be something else going on too - when do you start nutrients? When you say they are sick looking, do you mean they are yellowing, deformed leaves, etc.?
I have tried the water level at the net pot and I have tried the water level about 3-5 inches below the net pot. Usually start with 1/4 dose of nutes on the second set of true leaves. This plant has been in the net pot since the beginning of February.
