There are many different germination kits for hydroponics and after purchasing the various models I instantly saw a distinct difference between systems that require top misting vs those that allow for bottom watering.
Basically what I and others have discovered long before me is that applying a mist or any water to the top of the rockwool promotes pythium or root rot and it spreads if left unchecked. You'll start noticing discoloration on the top of cube and sometimes you can treat it with hydrogen peroxide (not drug store type) but it requires you to carefully dilute properly so as not to damage the seedling. Any infected plants, seedlings or cubes should be discarded immediately and clean the growing trays as well. I use a mild bleach and soap solution to clean the air hose, aerator, bucket and lids.
Look for germination trays that allow you to lightly water them from underneath the rockwool and let the moisture wick up to the seedling roots. Once you soak your cubes in your initial planting you never want to soak them again. There is more than enough moisture already present, all your looking for is not letting them completely dry out. This helps keep the tops of the rockwool from growing algae and causing disease to your seedlings.
There are several varieties of germination trays we have found that provide us with the best results. Grodan sells a nice sturdy 72 cell tray that elevates the rockwool cubes and allows you to water from underneath. Burpee sells a tray that comes with a spongelike material that holds water and the rockwool slots have openings on the bottom which allows the cubes to wick up the moisture from the material. Since you just have to wet it, it prevents you from overwatering the cubes during the germination process.
Basically what I and others have discovered long before me is that applying a mist or any water to the top of the rockwool promotes pythium or root rot and it spreads if left unchecked. You'll start noticing discoloration on the top of cube and sometimes you can treat it with hydrogen peroxide (not drug store type) but it requires you to carefully dilute properly so as not to damage the seedling. Any infected plants, seedlings or cubes should be discarded immediately and clean the growing trays as well. I use a mild bleach and soap solution to clean the air hose, aerator, bucket and lids.
Look for germination trays that allow you to lightly water them from underneath the rockwool and let the moisture wick up to the seedling roots. Once you soak your cubes in your initial planting you never want to soak them again. There is more than enough moisture already present, all your looking for is not letting them completely dry out. This helps keep the tops of the rockwool from growing algae and causing disease to your seedlings.
There are several varieties of germination trays we have found that provide us with the best results. Grodan sells a nice sturdy 72 cell tray that elevates the rockwool cubes and allows you to water from underneath. Burpee sells a tray that comes with a spongelike material that holds water and the rockwool slots have openings on the bottom which allows the cubes to wick up the moisture from the material. Since you just have to wet it, it prevents you from overwatering the cubes during the germination process.
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