I was wondering what everyone here is using for seed sprouts after germination? I am wondering if more people are using soil or rockwool? I've read and watched a lot of stuff on the rockwool for sprouts and would like to try it.
I use rockwool for all clones and seeds, it's easier for me to keep one product as soon as they crack I put them in the cube and make sure the cube stays warm, like putting them in window and transplant once I see roots out the bottom (usually a day maybe two after seedling sprouts out the top Once cracked, may be three days max, usually 2ish
I have recently used rockwool (with Sannie's Chocolate Rain seeds) and just dirt (with Sannie's KillaQueenXBlueHammer) and I feel more comfortable in dirt ATM. I think a solo cup of Pro-mix BX for your sprouted seed, nicely moistened, is more forgiving than a rockwool cube, and you can leave it for up to a month before transplant with no real trouble. Rockwool dries out easy if you're not careful - I've dried out half a dozen seeds/clones at various times in rockwool over the last 3 years on accident. It only takes a day or two with the right conditions, dome or no. Also, I have found the planting process a bit contrived in rock wool, putting a pinch of wool over the hole into which I just placed a seed to replicate a properly planted seed. Well, why fake it? Just plant the bitch in real dirt! I must say I have had equal sprout rates in rockwool and dirt, and also your grow method for the long haul matters. Like you know, if you are going hydro, forget dirt. You will need to use rock wool. But if you will ultimately be flowering in dirt, the choice is yours. Rockwool is prob cleaner and easier. If in rock wool, I have always used a dome for seedlings. When in dirt, I have done no dome and dome, and like res said, no matter what you just need a high RH environment so if you can get that without a dome, you're good.
RR are great and would prob work well for soil I think RW is easier to work with because they can stand on their own. Damn RR always fall over until you put them in a medium
I used Rock Wool once - didnt like the product. I have been using rapid rooters now with 100% success rate. I soak the RR in a mix of Azos and water, squeeze most of the liquid out then insert the cut. I also use a little Clonex hormone on the cut. I also have started to use some of my normal soil mix in the bottom of the cups (under the RR) with normal seedling mix around the cups. The cuts seem to do quite well once the roots start expanding downward into the medium - I have not had any issues with the mix being too hot.
Sprout in paper towel and drop into rockwool when the roots pop. As for clones, I only been able to get them to root out in rockwool.
Too much shuffling for me Sprouted in paper towels and then straight into my 3 gallon soil bags. Unbelievably with all my capabilities as a grower and person I cannot consistantly get anything to root/clone. Its quite strange. I've tried all sorts of media to no avail. The most frustrating aspect of growing for me by far
What type of lights are you using for cloning? I noticed that my usual flow lights are taking 4-5 days longer to root my clones now a days. I even had got new grow flow bulbs to replace them, same deal? I don't know how long the flow lights last? I had some I used for years and got roots in 7 days no problem. I had more luck using the cheapest potting soil sold for cloning than anything I've been using, I just leave them in longer and they will root sometime. You just have to baby them more.
