Using Rockwool As Hydroponic Growing Media

Soil-free gardening using a hydroponic system is quite easy and fun provided you have at least a bit of knowledge before hand in order to get the most out of your indoor garden.  One key thing to take into account is knowing what growing media you will use and why you need it.

Rockwool is a widely used hydroponic growing media comprised mostly of basalt and dolomite that have been melted and shot out of a press to form fibers similar to fiberglass.  Rockwool is inert - passing no nutrients directly to your plants, however, because of its porous nature (97% air) it is susceptible to capillary action which is how nutrients and water are carried to plant roots.  Its porosity also lends itself to supportive root growth.  An important feature to rockwool is that it resists microbial growth which can help eliminate root rot. Continued below.

Rockwool is offered in four common forms, each of which is suited to personal opinion and specific gardening needs.

• Rockwool Cubes - This is where seeds and cuttings begin their journey to full plant-hood.  Small cubes are easy to handle and control nutrient needs.  Once plants reach seedling stage, transplantation is necessary to allow full root development.
• Rockwool Growing Slabs - Used as a second step in the growing process. Once plants have taken root on the smaller cubes, they can be placed in to holes in the slab to allow further root growth in a larger container.
• Rockwool Blocks - Larger than the cubes, rockwool blocks can be used throughout the life of many hydroponic plants with limited root growth needs.  Use these instead of transplanting into growing slabs.
• Rockwool Granulate - The loose form of rockwool allows for increased nutrient absorption and aeration of plant roots.  Can be used with granulated amendments such as beneficial bacteria or fungi found in Advanced Nutrients.

Since you are still hanging around, why not check out these LED grow lights?

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Tagged as: Growing Media, Rockwool