Cloning in rockwool cubes

First off sorry if this a is repeat thread. I've had success cloning in soil, but am struggling with rockwool. I currently have 3 cuttings that I clipped at a 45 degree angle, trimmed half off fan leaves, scraped stem, dipped in clonex, inserted in soaked cubes, and put them in my humidity dome. It's been 8 days with misting twice a day, and all have new growth and are perky/green, but no roots showing.

Not sure if they just need more time?? I've had them root in soil in about 7/9 days..

#1 problem with rockwool is keeping it too wet. I soak and then "fling them" to remove excess water.
You shouldn't need to spray, dome alone will maintain adequate humidity.
Trimming 1/2 the fan leaves is unnecessary
7-10 days is fairly typical cloning in rockwool

Billy the Mountain said:

#1 problem with rockwool is keeping it too wet. I soak and then "fling them" to remove excess water.
You shouldn't need to spray, dome alone will maintain adequate humidity.
Trimming 1/2 the fan leaves is unnecessary
7-10 days is fairly typical cloning in rockwool

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Thanks for the response. I did fling the cubes after soak and more water drained out when I pushed them into the slots in the tray. I guess since I've only cloned in soil before and was able to see small roots poking through... I've been second guessing rockwool since I have yet to spot a root. I'm optimistic since they're aren't yellowing and are still showing new growth.

hubcitygrow25 said:

Thanks for the response. I did fling the cubes after soak and more water drained out when I pushed them into the slots in the tray. I guess since I've only cloned in soil before and was able to see small roots poking through... I've been second guessing rockwool since I have yet to spot a root. I'm optimistic since they're aren't yellowing and are still showing new growth.

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Luckily I have all three mom's to try again, but I'd hate to losing the current cuttings

Another thing with rock cubes, make sure you don’t squeeze them or crush them at all, like mentioned, flick excess water out. I usually wet the cubes as needed with a one or two sprays from a bottle.

J232 said:

Another thing with rock cubes, make sure you don’t squeeze them or crush them at all, like mentioned, flick excess water out. I usually wet the cubes as needed with a one or two sprays from a bottle.

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Thanks. Should I scrap these? Or give them more time since they still appear healthy? I gave them a very light tug and they felt like there's something going on in there. Hopefully they root. I did kind of squeeze them into the tray slots.. Not sure if they were squeezed too much

I would leave them unless they are limp and not improving. If they are perky after 8 days, just give it a few more and re assess, sometimes they run longer, sounds like they should root.

My last rock wool cuts, I only took 2, one never showed roots before I potted it, was beyond 8 days, the other showed roots within the 8 days.

Update: although the cuttings looked to be in good health, I think the small fluorescent tube I was using wasn't cutting it. I picked up a 32 watt full spectrum led, and almost instant change. All three cuttings including a fourth I added today perked right up, even more than before. The 3 first cuttings all had roots poking out by days end after the light upgrade.

Thanks for the tips. I'll keep them all in mind moving forward with propagation.

J232 said:

I would leave them unless they are limp and not improving. If they are perky after 8 days, just give it a few more and re assess, sometimes they run longer, sounds like they should root.

My last rock wool cuts, I only took 2, one never showed roots before I potted it, was beyond 8 days, the other showed roots within the 8 days.

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Just a quick update. They all ended up rooting and have been happily transplant into Solo cups. Thanks again for the tips. I was ready to chuck them and start over. I have my girls Purple Punch, Godfather OG, and Wedding Cake...

hubcitygrow25 said:

Just a quick update. They all ended up rooting and have been happily transplant into Solo cups. Thanks again for the tips. I was ready to chuck them and start over. I have my girls Purple Punch, Godfather OG, and Wedding Cake...

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Awesome

To drain rockwool blocks i always put them on top of the other ones. Then they drain dry. The more you put each other the drier it gets.