- Soak Rock Wool
SBS tray in lukewarm water or a slightly acidic nutrient
solution. We highly recommend FORMULEX as a conditioning
solution for Rock Wool as it will stabilise the pH and supply
a full profile of mineral nutrition to the young plant. Allow
plenty of time for Rock Wool cubes to take up water. Stand to
drain
- Insert seeds
carefully into the holes marked out on top of the cubes. Don’t
push them in too far, just enough to hide seeds. A few strands
of Rock Wool should be teased over the hole to ensure that the
seeds are covered.
- Place Rock Wool
SBS Tray in a warm place. Light is unimportant until the
seedlings begin to emerge but MUST be supplied as soon as they
do. Ideal germination temperature for most species are in the
range 20 - 25 C. These temperatures should be maintained as
constantly as possible during the germination period. Check
the moisture level of the Stone Wool EVERY day. If you
just squeeze a corner of a cube, water should come to the
surface. If it does not then you should give the whole tray a
sprinkle of lukewarm water.
The biggest mistake with Rock Wool is to keep it too wet and
this usually occurs through poor drainage. NEVER let your
Rock Wool Stand in a puddle of its own water, always allow free
drainage.
Once your seedlings begin to appear you will need to give them
plenty of light, a warm sunny windowsill might do but a
greenhouse or artificial light will be best. Fluorescence are
very suitable for small seedlings or clones. It is still
important to maintain temperatures in the mid twenties for as
much of the day as possible. Keep checking your Rock Wool cubes
for signs of drying out.
Once your seedlings begin to show roots at the bottom of the
Rock Wool cubes it is time to think about planting them out.
Just lift the little cubes carefully out of
the tray. Your new seedlings are now ready to plant into soil in
the normal way OR to be cultivated further in Rock Wool or other
hydroponics systems.
