Germinating Seeds on Cotton Balls: an alternative to rockwool for hydroponic growing (Kratky too)

Side by side experiment to see how well lettuce seeds germinate on cotton balls compared with rockwool. It looks like the cotton balls are a great alternative, cheaper too!

[@wcampbell1502]

you did a fantastic job, a calm simple greeting instead of the obnoxious over dramatic greetings that many youtubers do that annoy most people, informative and strait to the point instead of having to wait 3-4 minutes to get to the meat of the subject matter, also very good idea of leaving out obnoxious background music, I give your video an A. I look forward to seeing more of your videos, it is not often that I hit the bell like and subscribe, but your video was a joy to watch and not any portion of it annoyed me. Again Great job!!!👍

[@NickC-Ohio]

Yes, perfect intro!!

[@northeasttexasgardener]

Wow! I think we did something like this back when I was in grade school, but I had forgotten about it. I can't believe how much money I've wasted buying rockwool cubes. Thank you Tikki O.

[@leannekenyoung]

Thank you!! I’ve wondered if that would work my hubby said that’s exactly how they did it at school for an experiment but they used beans and they worked just the same...perfectly! Cotton balls are sure a lot cheaper then rockwool cubes!! 🥰🙏🏻🇨🇦

[@TikkiOOO]

I must have gone to the wrong school.....but its never too late to learn, and yes, cotton balls are easier to find and cheaper!

[@Marcoosianism]

@@TikkiOOO Great video and super informative! Do you have any videos showing how to now get such a small seedling into a hydroponic system where the holes are much larger?

[@F4Insight-uq6nt]

@@TikkiOOO Rockwool holds the optimal amount of air and water for plant growth. It was designed and perfected over years to be as good as it is... So are you claiming that cotton wool is a good replacement for it? If you are CLAIMING that then I'm afraid you do not have a clue what you are talking about.

[@richardrussell4157]

I've read that cotton is not generally used because it stays too saturated and tends to rot the plant, however, if you move the cotton ball and seedling into a netpot with clay balls and let the roots grow down into nutrient, I don't know why it wouldn't work just fine. Thanks for the video!

[@toxomanrod]

This happened to me with lettuce. Depends on what you're planting, lettuce does not like to be "water logged" it needs fresh (oxygenated) water or it will stunt growth then rot. I had to transplant all my seedlings into soil then suspend in my DWC container to save them. Good luck everyone, and thank you for the video!!

[@eozen81]

Dear Tikky, thank you very much for providing the scientific results of this experiment. It's now good to know that we are free to choose whichever we want.

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks eozen81!

[@sharonrose9552]

You should have added your paper towel method as another comparison. :P One reason hydro growers don't like cotton is because it can come apart and plug up the pumps, which isn't a problem with kratky, the other is it isn't completely void of nutrients and can provide food for other organisms which probably isn't an issue with lettuce.

[@MrBradytribe]

Very helpful comment thank you!

[@nielagi5029]

Happy to be the first here. I have to say, I love your videos because you have a really scientific approach and get to the point quickly. Thanks

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Niel, I really appreciate it!

[@KegRaider]

Wow!!! I tried this method on Tuesday just gone. It's now Friday and my Beetroot have started sprouting!! Amazing, and I'll be using this method from now on! Next to make some LED grow lights from the 60 or so 5mm UV LED's I have laying in my electronic spares!

[@ryandavis4689]

Great tip with the toothpick, who woulda thunk...

[@terrymcguire5069]

I did another search and this came up. I've never heard of this. I can't wait to try this when I get home.

[@MarwaAlaachannel]

I was so happy to watch this video you're welcome ❤️ and thank you for the great channel you are teaching us a lot ✨🌷❤️😃

[@TikkiOOO]

And thank YOU for the great idea, it seems others in the comments have also used cotton balls for school projects, I must have been asleep in class...but I learn a lot from reading people's comments, so thank you so much maro 93!

[@davidf.8345]

It’s January and freezing in Chicago right now. But, I’m starting my shopping list. I don’t have loofah, I don’t have rockwool. But, I DO have cotton balls!! Looking forward to getting started!

[@jimdaddyshikingvideos2023]

Thanks for sharing. Just planted six lettuce seeds using this method.

[@rockyusa2012]

Look forward to the final results

[@TikkiOOO]

Me too! I just moved them into mason jars, good old Kratky...

[@rockyusa2012]

@@TikkiOOO Out of all the different alternatives, which method do you like the best for the Mason jars?

[@oleksandrkovalov1543]

@@TikkiOOO may I ask a probably dummy question? what is a mason jar? :) thank you

[@sandram5664]

Thanks for the idea Tikki! I am getting ready to start a pot of scallions using the Kratky method and they don’t seem to germinate well just sprinkled in the clay pellets so I’m excited to give this a try.😀

[@jessl1934]

Hi Sandra, you could also try using coir (flush it well first if you don't know how salty it is) on the top of clay pellets to do in-situ germination like you would with cotton balls

[@sandram5664]

@@jessl1934 Thank you! I will try that the next time.

[@SamiRHawasH]

Thank you very much 💖 I think this video for me i searching for this test but I didn't find it .... Thank you again from Egypt ❤️🌹

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks for your comment SamiR!

[@sandravalani359]

Great experiment Tikki...I deeply appreciated it as I am goinG to be startinG my Indoor GardeninG Experiments very sooOoon!👍May Our Precious Creator of liFe bless you greatly for sharinG your lifegiVinG skills for Humanity's Wellbeing especially durinG these turbulent times!✌😍🙏😇🌹🌞🌹🌱🌱🌱🌹

[@mahela1993]

Thank you for your clear consice explanation! No needless yamerring like so many other hydroponics KZbinrs.

[@PeteCorp]

Thanks. I'll try it.

[@TikkiOOO]

Good luck!

[@Geopolitic157]

Great informative videos… I observed in your background, you have the same anti squirrel bird feeder that I have…. Loved it, beautiful birds and all…Unfortunately, I had to stop that bird feeding practice as it attracted rodents with the seed droppings…Nature has many tug-of-wars…. I am enjoying my transition to aquaponics, aeroponics, and composts with soils transitions, and non transitions……..All good.

[@maribellelebre6809]

Thank you for sharing! I hate rockwool and was looking for an easy to access, safe alternative. Ill try this week!

[@estebannicolas6741]

the cotton decomposes and can cause problems later, the rock wool remains inert.

[@genevieve8873]

Great info thank you! Much cheaper than the rockwool lol

[@TikkiOOO]

Yes...MUCH cheaper than rockwool! Thanks Genevieve!

[@mohajerenglish7513]

I love this testing and comparing. That was clear.

[@TikkiOOO]

Thank you mohajer!

[@TheOneSonofDeath]

Fantastic presentation. I thoroughly enjoy clear and concise instructional videos. You are the best!

[@TikkiOOO]

Wow, thank you, I appreciate that!

[@angelvisitor4282]

Hi. How did the cotton project turn out? Was your lettuce just as good as the rockwell?

[@tk421dr]

ty for this video, the algerithum sent me here, i wasnt even searching or thing about this, omg i can save so much money now.

[@sewitseams5632]

This how we germinated seeds in elementary school for our science program. I still use this method. 👌

[@TikkiOOO]

It works great, wish I had known earlier!

[@thomasleebrown3136]

Thank You Tikki; I am impressed !

[@stevelake5943]

Thanks for the cotton ball tip Tikki. How did the lettuce do that started in the cotton balls?

[@brandonminiman]

Great experiment!

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Brandon!

[@GodsChild145]

You are AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for always doing these experiments ♥️

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Godschild17, I very much appreciate your comment!

[@stroopwafelfalafel]

Dang! this got to the point fast!

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks....life goes by fast.....

[@TheSunRiseKid]

Are used cotton balls in my aero garden and it worked great but it is extremely hard to get the roots out of the Cotton ball if you want to plant them in your garden. Great video!

[@barbaradumler6503]

I don't think you have to get the roots out, just plant the whole thing.

[@GamingwithGamerGirls]

Why would you need to remove the cotton ball?

[@jylwomack2057]

I like you and your videos - keep up the good work. Your experiments and information is helpful!

[@jayk7422]

Thanks for sharing your information.... from Australia

[@barrytipton1179]

Found my answer

[@ThinkPraise]

Thank you for this instructional video. I like this idea.

[@prlywhip]

Exciting!! I was looking for an alternative to loofah. Some seeds are too small for loofah. Thank you for your inquisitive and experimental endeavors into hydroponics. I greatly benefit from your work.

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks prlywhip, I appreciate that. I believe the cotton balls are also cheaper and easier to come by than Loofah!

[@HamzaRashid]

Thank you for this info! Would I plant the seedling in the plastic net pots with the cotton ball for hydroponics or should I remove it from cotton ball first?

[@TikkiOOO]

Hi Hamza, leave it in the cotton ball, just like you would leave it in the rockwool. If you remove it from the cotton ball you will risk damaging the roots, and there is no reason to remove it from the cotton ball. Thanks for the question!

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Thanks Tikki. Nice video. I was looking for something clean and easy to germinate seeds inside. Paper towel is such a pain. Roots get stuck in it.

[@ThanhBui-fi6xg]

Yes, loved it. thank you, will be trying it

[@pearljameric]

Quick informative video. Great

[@05AquariusNova]

I'm new to hydroponics and love your videos! On the cotton idea in particular -- I was under impression that one of primary advantages of using rockwool is that it is non-organic. Whereas cotton is organic and therefore would be susceptible to things like algae growth and mould?

[@Marcoosianism]

I think since the cotton balls are used for only a short 7-10 day sprouting period and then the seedling is removed from the cotton ball it avoids any such issues. I may be wrong.

[@GamingwithGamerGirls]

@@Marcoosianism I don't believe it's possible to remove the plant from the cotton ball without destroying the roots. All the other videos I have seen where they are using cotton balls, they leave the cotton ball through the duration of plant growth.

[@Marcoosianism]

@@GamingwithGamerGirls Interesting! Yes that's what I'm doing, leaving them in. I was suggesting however, removing them once they just sprout, so more like maybe 3 to 4 days when there is just barely a root. But I know those fragile roots can break easily.

[@johnwoodhouse2554]

Nice experiment!

[@marktser0jedi]

Thank you for the great information.

[@KJ7JHN]

Yay! Thank you!

[@missnlahi]

Thank you!

[@yohanesliong4818]

Wonderful 👍

[@faruqhasan5396]

Did anybody else notice the woodpecker in the background ?? :) I did the same, same results, my cotton balls were organic, without chemicals or bleach used. I thought that might be important for the plant growth 🤔

[@donutcare9680]

Thank you for this!

[@MLife1000]

Thank you this is good to know 😊

[@iFix43]

Great video

[@JorgePicco]

Your videos are sooo good!

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks x3mofile, I appreciate it!

[@ZiaPatidar-ce4bt]

Thank u so much mam u provide us new idias

[@markk221]

thanks for video

[@reddragon9229]

Thank you

[@afrikagreen6303]

good on you,,

[@dressedanddepressed2301]

I always wondered about this method but never tried it due to cotton being organic and that could be a breeding ground for molds or bacteria! Thanks for sharing this! I will try it and see how my results come out! One could even add a squirt of peroxide to the soaking water for them to absorb and help keep things from becoming stagnant!

[@virginiavoigt2418]

You're right. This is interesting. I wonder if half a cotton ball or a quarter of a cotton ball per seed would work as well as a whole one.

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Virginia for the comment, I appreciate it! I've used half a rockwool cube and even less with success, so I assume half a cotton ball would work fine. I'll have to try it someday....thanks again!

[@susanneatwell-keister3479]

I just tried this and all my cotton balls grew pink mold and only a few seeds germinated. 😖 I washed and bleached all my containers and I'm going to try again.

[@mariannem3748]

GreAt video. Did you still use 2” net cup with cotton balls?🇨🇦

[@corneliuscorcoran9900]

Great video. Love this channel. Cotton balls, instead of rockwool? Kratky over DWC! If you're not careful, you'll make hydroponics seem really, really simple and cheap. (That's what happens when you let a woman, near a 'Man's hobby'... ruins it.) God help you, if you ever demystify Cannabis growing!

[@SapphireandPrince]

thank you this is so helpful!

[@Pepperheadsavage]

Interesting I must try this.

[@3dclothes889]

It has been 2 months, how did the cotton ball work out?

[@LorettaPowell]

Wow. Thank you

[@JoyJoyJoi]

I have had two problems in trying this. Number one aphids! Number two algae. I made four little trays to start seedlings. Two of the four ended up growing algae on the cotton balls Even though the seedlings sprouted. The worst problem happened when I went to start harvesting my kale at a small size. They were covered with aphids. Do aphid eggs come in the cotton balls? I used organic cotton balls

[@philipbrady7635]

nice short informative video. refreshing that you didn't ask for a like or subscribe, so i have done both and will check out the rest of your posts.

[@KentuckyFarmstead]

Great video! What was the result in their actual growing? any difference?

[@tylerwalker7287]

Thank you! Will you move them to small net pots after the first root, and then a bigger net pot after even more roots, or do you only set then up once?

[@tacohie9930]

Love your shows. Thanks I have a question it’s not related to radishes I don’t know if I can actually show you the pictures but I have lettuce growing in a hydroponic system but they don’t seem to be doing as well as yours in a mason jar. Is there a way to send you a picture you can tell me if it’s too small? Again I love you shows I wish I could figure out how to watch your shows from number one on on KZbin

[@kimbuktu007]

could you just place the seeds on the medium directly into the Kratky jar to germinate using the same procedure and cover them with an inverted cup for the greenhouse effect until sprouted? Thanks!

[@indoctfool9412]

Toothpick 😎🙏

[@paulineflanagan8530]

Tikki O. I love your videos! When you moved your seedlings to a hydroponic setup, were using LECA in net cups? I am just wondering because I use the very small aerogarden netcups, with rockwool cubes, for my Kratkys, and have not started using LECA yet. If I add more cotton to fill out the bottom of the net cup to use in my Kratky, will I end up with more algae, or breakdown of the cotton, than I would with rockwool?

[@somebody9517]

Do you store the container in light or dark?

[@tvideo1189]

Lettuce seeds actually prefer light to germinate. Not all seeds do however.

[@nukuapuaa]

Thank you for great video! I'm looking forward to an update since I have lots of cotton balls! I also have lots of wet floral foam and I was wondering if you could use them as seed starter and also in this kratky system?

[@sharonrose9552]

I would guess no to the foam, because the roots have to be able to break through it.

[@jessicag630]

1:50From the first day to 2:06 two days later, do you have to put it in an area with direct or indirect sunlight, indoor lamp, or a dark place?

[@johnwoodhouse2554]

I thought of the cotton ball just like rockwool really right?almost cottons cheap right

[@andremclean4433]

How did you transfer the cotton seedlings to the hydroponic system?

[@Marcoosianism]

My question exactly.

[@danweiser5071]

How did the cotton project turn out? Was your lettuce just as good as the rockwool. Grateful for your videos.

[@MTEXX]

Thanks for sharing. I'm also looking for reusable or compostable hydroponic germination media. How about cellulose sponge?

[@TikkiOOO]

I have tried a cellulose sponge without success, maybe I didn't try hard enough???

[@wuwei43]

I bought a hydroponic system from Amazon an placed a cannabis seed I. Sponge. 2 days later it began to germinate. I took the plastic top off this morning to take a look at seedling. It fell over because it has not penetrated the sponge. I placed it back in. I am on day 4. Will it eventually penetrate sponge or will I have to intervene. If anyone could answer would be appreciated. Thanks

[@slyjacinto2012]

Hi! I know this video was 2 yrs ago, but I have a question re. the cotton ball you use. Does it have to be organic? or any cotton ball will do.

[@evanross2546]

How do i transplant seedling from cotton ball do i put it all in my poting soil along with a cotton?

[@topquark35]

Can you have a video showing just how you regularly germinate with rockwool? I'm having a hard time germinating anything. I'm able to germinate seeds in soil but this is my first time with hydroponics and I can't figure out what's wrong. I'm using RO water. I put my seeds in a plastic container and snap the lid on. Then I open them once a day to aerate. I can't for the life of me figure out whether I should put them outside under sun or just leave them inside the house. I'm in a tropical country and the temperature is usually 32 to 37 degrees celsius, so I'm guessing I don't need heat pads or grow lights. I am reading two different things on the internet. There are those who say put the seeds under a grow light or in a window. Can't I just put them in the shade outside? There are also those who say put them in the dark or cover them up. I'm really confused. Meanwhile, none of the seeds I've sown in rockwool have sprouted. True that it's been only been four days but yours have little tails on the very next day, and mine doesn't.

[@liujianling4617]

For lettuce’s seeds, the optimum germination temperature is 70 to 75 degrees F

[@terryr4502]

do you put them under light ???

[@FactFrenzySpace-d5i]

Can we germinate rosemary seeds on a cotton ball too ??

[@delekatala]

How have these plants fared in the system?

[@nike316]

Do I add more cinnamon after re-watering the soil or is one round of cinnamon good enough?

[@user-hs5py1cn3z]

Hi! Can we transfer an already germinated seedlings into cotton balls soaked in a solution for 2 weeks?

[@btsoc1397]

Kratky is a method of hydroponics.

[@jamesmichaelcabrera9613]

I wonder if the cotton ball will mold?

[@Marcoosianism]

Some have said it did yet this poster wrote you can keep the seedling in the cotton ball and transfer to your net pots. Not sure what are the factors that caused mold for some.

[@zubaidasmith4551]

I'm just a little concerned about the cotton balls. Many are made from GMO cotton. Don't know if your aware of that. But even if you find non_gmo cotton balls I'm sure they are cheaper than rockwool. I am on the look out for them now! Thank you so much for your info.

[@Marcoosianism]

Organic cotton balls are definitely available.

[@harrah1021]

Is there an update to this video?

[@damionmunro]

👍

[@tamimaseer7110]

Will pumpkin seeds work for this?

[@tommysobo123]

poly fill?

[@jowinther3389]

Wool is good toi

[@ann-mariechristopher6503]

How do you transplant from the cotton balls ?

[@douglassewell5856]

You don't. Just put he cotton ball into a netpot after teasing the root(s) through a hole in the bottom then place netcup into the final grow system be it Kratky, NFT or DWC etc.

[@StevieWonders2020]

What in the world is rock wool?

[@hikiula]

What medium did you use for the cotton ball seedlings?

[@TikkiOOO]

Just the cotton ball...hope that answers your question!