Ebb and Flow Rockwool questions

[newbbillion]

I have two seedlings in the rockwool transfer cubes that Ive been hand watering for a week, I would like to start my pump

but I wonder would it be best after I soak my 4in cubes at the right Ph to flood my cubes nutrients on the table before I transplant seedlings?

 

[Hugo Phurst]

I'd pre-soak and Ph balance the rockwool prior to transplant, but I don't know shit about F&D.

Good luck

 

[RyanTheRhino]

ebb and flow rock wool is a no for me. to soggy and inconsistent the bigger blocks just get mushhie and covered with alge. its ok to start off seedlings but i prefer hydroton. if you don't have the funds try pea gravel. the pea gravel will not hold any water so you may need to flood more often. also check if the pea gravel has limestone because that my change the ph

 

[newbbillion]

So there's no way I can keep healthy rockwool cubes in an ebb and flow?

Wouldn't covering the tray and cubes from light stop algae and provide an ideal root growing environment for rockwool?

 

[RyanTheRhino]

So there's no way I can keep healthy rockwool cubes in an ebb and flow?

Wouldn't covering the tray and cubes from light stop algae and provide an ideal root growing environment for rockwool?

you can. by all means if you bought them use them. Its just my personal preference.

 

[newbbillion]

But what about my question after I soak my cubed in Ph treated water

Should i then flood them on table with nutrient water before transplant?

 

[RyanTheRhino]

But what about my question after I soak my cubed in Ph treated water

Should i then flood them on table with nutrient water before transplant?

its not really going to matter, if you transplant them they will get flooded eventually. Its not like 1 day without nutes is gonna kill a plant

 

[Spittn4cash]

But what about my question after I soak my cubed in Ph treated water

Should i then flood them on table with nutrient water before transplant?

I just want to make sure I understand your question...

You've pH'd the rockwool cubes, and now you want to put them in the ebb&flow system...you're worried that the nutrient water will change the pH of the cubes?

Technically, the pH of the cubes and the pH of the nutrient water should be the same (between 5.8-6.5)..if you keep the pH around this level then you should be fine.

Also, you really shouldn't be using nutrient's on "seedlings"..you may want to wait 2 - 3 weeks until they enter the "vegetative" stage before you feed them any nutrients.