is rockwool/grodan REQUIRED? what are alternatives?

just wondering if there is anyone out there that doesnt use rockwool. im pretty sure you dont need rockwool for cuttings, once its sprouted roots, or do you?

has anyone ever try sprouting seeds carefully placing them in hydroton? what are some successful alternatives?

also, how do you clean hydroton, do you have to clean it even for the first time you use it?

50% cutting compost, 50% perlite/vermiculite.

Yes, you have to wash the hydroton before you use it. If you do not want to use Rockwool starter plugs, then use Rapid Rooter plugs, Oh as a last resort use the Peat Pucks you can buy at Home Depoe, or Lowes.. (YUCK)!!!!!!! I hate Peat Pucks though.

Clean all the dust off of the hydroton when you get it its good to go after that! If you want to re-use the hydroton after a grow, you need to soak them in a bleach-water solution, then just water and they are good to go after that!

There are also gro-cubes made of coconut fibers, its called coco- something... theres always soil.. lol...

use rapid rooters they work the best no fuss no mess no ph'ing just stick and go

thanks for the advice guys, just ordered some rapid rooter. it completely slipped my mind because i remember looking up rapid rooter a long time ago.

another question, if you use rapid rooter with aeroponics, will it break apart and clog the nozzles/pump like peat pellets?

what's your beef with rockwool?

Rockwool can be hard to find unless you have a local specialty garden store or hydro store. But...rockwool is the best if you ask me.

That Oasis stuff sucks....I tried that a long time ago and had several problems. Rockwool ever since, no problems.

Those coco-coir things, I have heard good stuff about those as well...might buy some next time.

why are people suggesting, that you wash hydroton prior to first use? when it's new, it's sterile. it's ready to use. the dust is just clay dust. it's ph neutrual and will neither help or harm your plants. in fact it accumulates any time you let the hydroton dry out. You only wash hydroton to prevent diseases, fungi and decaying particulates from spreading to future crops.

Kant said:

why are people suggesting, that you wash hydroton prior to first use? when it's new, it's sterile. it's ready to use. the dust is just clay dust. it's ph neutrual and will neither help or harm your plants. in fact it accumulates any time you let the hydroton dry out. You only wash hydroton to prevent diseases, fungi and decaying particulates from spreading to future crops.

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thanks for the information. when i first used it i just threw it in the net pots and saw my water turn murky brown. i then took them out and just ran plain tap water through them to get off all the dust, i wasnt sure if i had to sterilize it first. i had some problems with my plants and wanted to back track my steps and correct my mistakes. i just wanted to double check with you guys, you never can be too cautious.

I have to strongly disagree with Kant. You really have to wash the Hydroton. One very important reason is because that clay dust is very very hard on your pumps. Why put crap in you water that is not needed, just wash and go. It is not like you have to soak them for 24 hours in ph'd water like you do with rock wool. Just my opinion though. Maybe I am werong, but I will always wash my hydroton.

Rockwool is the best too use in aero or hydroponics especially aero as its the cleanest least breakdown type of medium.You wash the hydroton real good in few clean bucklets of water as if you dont and run it through an aero system you just screwed yourself as your lines and misters will clog your res gets filthy and you shorten your filter and pumps life.

Yep I have the problem with that dust clogging my hoses.....

The stuff is so simple to wash, I would do it just in case. Just rinsing them off in ph adjusted water is all i do.

I use hydroton and oasis cubes... three weeks of flower.

Lord Dangly Bits said:

I have to strongly disagree with Kant. You really have to wash the Hydroton. One very important reason is because that clay dust is very very hard on your pumps. Why put crap in you water that is not needed, just wash and go. It is not like you have to soak them for 24 hours in ph'd water like you do with rock wool. Just my opinion though. Maybe I am werong, but I will always wash my hydroton.

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most submersible pumps use magnet impellers, so the only way it would get jammed is if a large chunk or a ball got stuck in impeller. i can see the need to remove the dust for misters but for your standard hydro hardware it won't matter. most of these things are designed for aquariums where they take much heavier abuse. i've never washed new hydroton and i've never had a problem.

damn r32, that looks really good. how much are those oasis cubes?
has anyone here successfully used rapid rooters in a hydro or aero system?

i will probably try those oasis cubes if i have trouble with rapid rooter

Not a rapid rooter fan,hate peat pellets and have yet to use oasis cubes.Oh and coco fiber cubes suck too lol

i'm using rockwool bu i only got one cube left, and there isnt any in this country, could somebody tell me some homemade stuff to replace it, cuz i ordered online, but yhey'll take a month or so to get here, also i'm cloning using neoprene inserts, whats the best way to transplant them after they've rooted?