Rockwool Hydroponics Propagation and Transplanting Complete Guide

Seven minutes-packed with info! We take a look at Grodan A-OK starter plugs (stonewool cubes), Grodan Delta 3-inch and 4-inch rockwool blocks, Hugo 6-inch blocks, Big Mamma 8-inch blocks, Unislabs and loose fill rockwool growing media. We cover pre-soaking rockwool, adjusting pH, charging up with hydroponic nutrients, hardening off seedlings and cuttings, and transplanting into soil and soilless media such as coco coir.

[@SeamusHarper1234]

Highest information density of all hydroponic videos so far.

[@RickMarshallMaps]

Great information on starting plants in hyrdoponic systems. I appreciate the video. I am just getting started.

[@Just4Growers]

+Rick Marshall Very happy to help Rick-thanks for your feedback.

[@robertanthonyfarrell]

Back to watch this for a fifth time to see what new details I pick up this time. Thanks for all the great content, Everest !

[@robertanthonyfarrell]

Also just watched your video on root pruning again. Both great videos, thank you. I am getting ready to transplant my peppers into my new NFT system (square guttering and net cups, not the trays like in your video).

[@sweetlovetiger]

wow your good on making things simple ty. I'm glad you are taking the time to show people first starting with rockwool. I'm going to keep watch for more

[@sylviaw.1584]

Probably one of the best starter videos I have seen. Well done and thanks for creating it.

[@andreygarcia9059]

Super like this Video. Much Information with easy understanding and time saving. without music make me more serious watching it. Well Done

[@fanorama1]

Thanks! I was wondering if I could transplant my cubes into soil and you answered my question. Good thing coz I already did. lol

[@Joy-eo3nv]

Yes u can

[@nateott1902]

as a care giver i find videos you do very on point tyvm keep it up

[@Just4Growers]

nate ott Thanks so much for caring to comment Nate! I appreciate it. I'm glad that you find the videos useful. Thanks for subscribing too! :)

[@geoffreyprice2111]

Great detail. Loved it.

[@boognish4life]

Everest, your videos are my go-to for lots of projects i do. Love it!!! I am starting tons of basil seeds in rockwool today. Thanks for the videos!

[@Just4Growers]

+boognish4life Thanks Boognish. I love growing basil! Try not to let her go to bed with wet feet! ;-) The lemon and lime basil varieties are particularly sensitive to it. Good luck and keep in touch. Best wishes, Everest.

[@oscaris1ru12]

Everest thank you for the college level tutorial, rockwool. I had no idea how extensive the rockwool uses are and the huge variety of sizes of shapes available. I'm happy to be here, thanks again for your presentation.

[@Just4Growers]

Thanks Oscaris, rockwool /stonewool has to be one of the most productive growth media out there when dialed in. Like I say in my vids, it's no coincidence that it's the mainstay of commercial hydroponics production. I look forward to producing more rockwool vids as I really can't wax lyrical about this stuff enough! :)

[@rickhaynes4848]

+Everest Fernandez (Just4Growers) uh that's cuz its cheapest. coco is better for hydro. smart pots can go into bigger smart pots without plant removal. that's a big plus. plus no root circling

[@rickhaynes4848]

+Rick Haynes and u saying it will digest in your body?? u think perlite dust dissolves in your body too? micro-glass extremely dangerous. wet perlite and rockwool and avoid both dusts.

[@Just4Growers]

+Rick Haynes we could discuss perlite in another video if you like Rick.

[@gisellacordova1170]

Rick Haynes tcqst43. i ., i ' .. l ? l .. , I

[@krustyoldsmoker7997]

very interesting I use rockwool cubes for years to do my cuts

[@mrjceltic]

That was great video as I'm about to use someRockwool for first time. Cheers

[@sohailwazir7680]

the best ever video for beginners full of information. thanks you too much

[@Just4Growers]

You’re welcome!

[@DeathCoreBrii]

Damn man, I learn so much from you and I'm laughing at how wrong I was doing it.

[@npktechnology8155]

Awesome video Everest, really enjoyed that and I know our customers will too! Keep up the great work =)

[@Just4Growers]

T smith Thanks very much. Sending lots of love over to you fine folks in Liverpool, England!

[@HellFire178]

I've watched this video 3 times now, today was my first seedly hatching. #CanadianCBD for that factory life

[@StewartLeishman]

Great video! Best I’ve seen explaining rock wool. Thanks!

[@Just4Growers]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@analyticalmastermind2569]

Good content and you cover it at a good pace, thanks for the upload.

[@Just4Growers]

Thanks amigo.

[@sariputri9687]

I am happy coz I can transfer them to soil . Thanks for this great video

[@BruceBanner-tn1ug]

You rock bro thanks for keeping it simple

[@Just4Growers]

My pleasure DB. Thanks.

[@Just4Growers]

+Grow Boss (thegrowboss) Why would such a self-effacing character such as yourself think such a thing?

[@TheNeonMind]

Great video!

[@mariacarmella6595]

A great help! Thank you so much for your expertise! 👍 ❤️

[@SmashDab]

Awesome info, great video vibes

[@shanemolloy8250]

Im relaxed about it now . Thanks Everest send me the brand of coffee you use

[@Just4Growers]

Hi reviewSearchs. Can rockwool be re-used? That's a great question! Thanks for asking. Some commercial growers enjoy many successive crops from rockwool slabs by steaming them after the plants have been removed and then replanting. Smaller growers can also do this - a few slabs can be heat treated by pouring hot water through them. Solarization is also possible, as is using chemical disinfectants, although care should be taken to rinse the rockwool well with plenty of water after using these. Commercial Grodan users have the option of the Grodan recycling service, which picks up the used slabs and recycles them into new product. However, smaller growers with just a few slabs of used rockwool can recycle the material by shredding it and reusing it as a growing media, as a component of potting mixes, or by incorporating it into outside soils and gardens.

[@rickhaynes4848]

+Everest Fernandez (Just4Growers) so then where do the air pockets go? u squeeze them out u lose only make it hold more water...already holds too much, unless u an expert. coco better than rockwool, unless u careful

[@Just4Growers]

+Rick Haynes I don't think you need to be an expert to use rockwool. As with any growing media, you need to adapt your irrigation practices to its properties.

[@GoodspeedsReviews]

Great video full of detail

[@Just4Growers]

Yogi Bear Thanks Yogi. We sure challenged ourselves to cram a lot into this one! Glad you enjoyed it. Peace.

[@alejandrojaramillo5825]

Hey Everest! quick question, how do you feed your seedlings, do you spray? and how often do you feed?

[@WhyNotRichie]

Yes.... Lettuce.. exactly what I was looking for.

[@thcisaiass6200]

Marijuana

[@egastt]

Just starting my hydroponics systems and you videos are a great help! Quick question. I'm starting my basil in the Rockwool starter plugs and then when the plant is ready to transfer, move the entire starter plug into a net cup with clay balls. Is that workable procedure?

[@anthonyhernandez3546]

I miss you man. You taught me a lot

[@Just4Growers]

Thanks buddy. More content coming soon!

[@maryjane9936]

Thank you for this awesome video. I learn so much from them all

[@Just4Growers]

Thanks Mary - note that you no longer need to pre-soak Grodan rockwool products. More info here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnmuiqCVmNhni6c

[@cliffordthiemer3028]

Good stuff on all your videos! I'm like a grodan soakin it up.

[@scottybarnett3957]

Well done I'm down with rock wool now

[@lab.growth]

Really good info, thank you!

[@counterstar7971]

Awesome video!

[@Just4Growers]

+ Amy Sidious thanks for your comment. Stonewool is spun from natural rock fibers, it is not fiberglass. The WHO categorizes it as bio-soluble meaning you can even eat and inhale it and the fibers will simply dissolve in your body. However, in its dry form the fibers can irritate the skin so I always spray it before use. Personally I have never experienced ill effects but I have friends who find it a little itchy. After handling, I rinse my hands (I don't scrub) - MSDS can be found here: grodan101.com/sites/default/files/leaflets/MSDS-US-09012014.pdf

[@rickhaynes4848]

+Everest Fernandez (Just4Growers) u sound like the gmo guy who wouldn't drink the gmo after saying it could be safely drank.

[@Just4Growers]

+Rick Haynes except he didn't quote the world health organization. :)

[@arborgirl8195]

I always trust the WHO ....

[@ooboytrends]

Really amazing💐

[@nikolasmilevski7851]

Well done boys!!!

[@surfyogi]

very informative; I love the rockw!

[@JT-wj4nh]

Thank you very much for the explanation, I was hoping that it was the same product but not to worry. Here in Bulgaria hydroponics is a pretty new concept so finding the materials like rock wool, and the chemical hydroponic feeds is near impossible unless you import the products. any way thanks again all the best JT

[@Just4Growers]

JT777 Some of the larger European online wholesalers have pretty good postage deals for anywhere in the EU. Get on Google - it's fiercely competitive so I imagine you can get a good deal if you consolidate your needs into one sizeable order.

[@williamcashion5262]

Very informative.

[@thermalinsulation]

Nice video.

[@ankitmehta207]

Very informative video...

[@bobbrawley9439]

My God man you did a fast video that was easy to take in most of your pesentation

[@Just4Growers]

Thanks Bob.

[@noranawa4loans]

Thank you. I had to sacrifice a plant to figure out what was happening to my plants thst started in a cube and they they were slowly dying after planting in soil. 1) overwater at the beginning 2) too big a pot 3) the cube dried the soil still wet. It was horrible not understanding the transition process before hand. Thank you

[@oneilwilliams5284]

I learn alot from you ,thanks you are a good person very smart and you kno your maths ,love coming jamaica

[@Just4Growers]

Thanks buddy :)

[@fqm]

good info on preventing algae

[@johnkuykendall7028]

I’m curious if you have ever noticed a sulfur smell coming from new Rockwool slabs? I have the same grow blocks you have which don’t smell at all, but the flora flex slabs I ordered smell rotten. Thanks. I enjoy your videos.

[@drewsnow3994]

Awesome videos.

[@Just4Growers]

Drew Snow Thanks Drew. Hope you sub the channel :)

[@madeonearth3429]

It appears im bingewatching your whole existence now

[@Just4Growers]

Ha ha ha this one is from way back! Lol

[@markshay6943]

I and an old soil grower. I tried 1 time to germinate in Rockwool lost all six plants I think there was to much water in blocks don't know but definitely made me stay away from Rockwool. If you have any suggestions I am willing to listen. And yes I followed step by step for preparing Rockwool. I am used to 90% Success and will Rockwool I had 100% failure.

[@kenbirzneck]

thank you

[@amberswartz3876]

This was incredibly helpful! Thanks for the tutorial! Will rockwool work for any plants? I am training to grow perennial flowers from seed and hoping rockwool can provide a medium that will minimize seedling whilt and just be less of a mess.

[@Just4Growers]

yes, rockwool is very popular in floriculture and can support flowering plants and perennials no problem!

[@shirakawanaoya]

This is so awesome. I'm having this burning desire to create a garden at my home. Is there any resource you recommend to learn about plants and their specific treatment?

[@Just4Growers]

Eric Xavier Thanks Eric. Check out the info sheets and articles at just4growers.com - if you can't find what you are looking for let me know and I'll do my best to help. Peace and happy growing.

[@Bluntedco.]

good info!

[@Just4Growers]

Thank you for watching.

[@joeychung7257]

thanks for sharing

[@MarioStingerPerpetualTraveller]

Nice video. I'm correctly living in Jamaica. The problem here is I can't use lights, too expensive. Also, the temperature here is really high. 29-32 C year-round. Which is higher than the temperature you have mentioned in the video. What should I do? Also, I'm thinking of take the rockwool to the hydroponic fast. Any ideas? I'm planning to grow salad and herbs. Thanks

[@CarneAsadaFries_]

Duuuuuuuudeeee. Amazing info!

[@Just4Growers]

You’re very welcome! Hope you’re subbed ;)

[@tangobayus]

How do you feel about the safety of rock wool? I'm starting seeds in 2 oz plastic cups and coco coir these days.

[@randomx84]

+Everest Fernandez Is rockwool still your favorite? Thanks for all your great vidoes!

[@user-oi6gy1sp5w]

New subscriber - thank you! Wondering - I have a large amount of Roxul rockwool insulation from a constuction project. Is there any reason I can't repupose this material in place of these pre-shaped cubes?

[@jeffchapman9867]

I have a couple interesting questions. Can a 6x6x6 rockwool cube be used for outdoor growing? And I also thought, how fast would it dry out in summer time dry heat say in the 100's? I was wanting to hand water all through the grow. And I thought about buying or building a square wooden pot for it to sit in. Thanks

[@shazarahmohamudally3088]

Thanks! What is the frequency that you add nutrient solution to the rockwool and frequency that you water the rockwool? And how do you know that its time to do so? Any signs??

[@TheQwaqa]

Excellent

[@MichaelRainabbaRichardson]

Are these blocks reasonably reusable for shorter lifespan crops, or would that be an argument for going with the small blocks version of rockwool? If you have a review on Root Riot plugs, could you link us to that? I've been using those with expanded clay so far but I hear great things about rockwool so I want to make sure I fully understand both.

[@homestuff6545]

rewatching your videos many times sir and from what and many can tell you understend alot can you tell me if after growing some domatos can i reseed them to soil with the rockwool it self ? and are those flora duo fertilizers working on soil ?

[@elieeid8865]

Thank you for all your video please can you add a link for all the items that you have used where can you buy it

[@foopysfarm]

I have romaine, kale, arugula and some varieties of lettuce starting from seed in Rockwool. Everything went great but now the roots aren't continuing to stretch out once I move the cubes into my DWC system. I started the cubes in a humidity dome and once they had a second set of leaves i slowly started introducing them to less humidity by removing the dome lid. Once they seemed happy I put them in my system. I put a few into mason jars to experiment with the Kratky technique and those roots have reached down and are doing great. The cubes i put into my DWC system aren't doing anything. Any ideas?

[@tsilb]

What advantages do these huge rockwool cubes offer over the regular 1" cubes?

[@pasala2010]

Clear explanation

[@Just4Growers]

+UrmilaDevi Pasala thank you / danyavad ji :)

[@AnkitSingh-fo3yu]

very nice

[@madcatmk3]

Also when making a soil mix I have pots with a reservoir at the bottom since I don't have the space for a hydro system. How best to stack the clay balls and coco I have?

[@nah4497]

Is it okay to place the AOK blocks directly on the slab with a sprinkler system to prevent from drying out? If there are any roots on the sides exposed, would the plant die?

[@jameslindsay7846]

The rockwool medium seems awfully expensive on a per plant basis of about $10 total. What are your main deciding factors in choosing rockwool cubes over, say, clay pebbles that are cheaper and reusable? For a lower priced crop rockwool wouldn't let you hit breakeven.

[@davepallant8835]

damn you attached talked slower in that video lol. Love your videos very easy to watch with quick and clear information 👍

[@Just4Growers]

Thanks so much Dave :)

[@williamkreth]

Rockwool is my favorite way to start seeds, I don't turn the lights on until the first plants pop up

[@pulpanochamaster]

do you have the video with the grown vegetables using that method?

[@DrValerie800]

Everest, got any tips for growing a dwarf fig tree in a small, dark, apartment? Can it be in a permanent hydroponic tub?

[@madcatmk3]

I have been having some real trouble with rockwool. The plants sprout, but never made their way to the surface. Any idea why or how to fix that?

[@jamileemcquivey9507]

I love your videos. Thank you. I have a question for YOU because you’re the first person who gives awesome information and I feel confident KNOWS what they’re doing. I purchased a rather expensive NFT system. I thought it was complete and all I had to do was follow the instructions. Easy peasy. NOT! It came with no instructions so I’m groping blindly. I know nothing about hydroponics including what “ec .5” is. Do you have (or know a great resource) on how to grow from seeds to harvest? Like a complete A-Z series...I have restarted 3 times and I’m so frustrated. Thanks in advance. PS my son’s name is Everest. I’ve never met another Everest 😀

[@ozzyvilla9815]

is that like a white panda film you are using to cover the rockwool from getting exposed to the light and preventing the expansion of algae

[@aransom808]

So can I just buy the big blocks of rockwool from lowes and cut them up? I don't see any local vendors carrying these precut products

[@lilyxing8343]

rock wool not only for industry, but also for agriculture

[@aodhfinn]

Is this rock wool the same completely as that used in insulation of buildings ?

[@kenrowe5775]

Still waiting on that video on transplanting and preventing transplanting shock.

[@Just4Growers]

Ken Rowe Thanks for the poke Ken! I haven't forgotten-in fact, I've got some aero-cuttings rooting right now taken from my beautiful Tokyo Hot chile pepper plants. I'm sure they will come in very handy in making the vid. In the meantime, please consider subbing my channel! Thanks :)

[@Blacklunaproductions]

What causes mold inside the very center of my dense sticky stinky fruit if my humidity is 45 percent with temps around 80 with c02 in high ppm? In Rockwool 1 inch inserted into a 4inch cube placed on top of a 6inch rockwool cube. Could over watering be the issue. Watering 4 times daily

[@Soloz91]

Thanks

[@ballsdeep9648]

Can you remove the rockwool before putting in soil somehow? Does the rockwool break down over time?

[@larsmils6600]

Hey everest, now that you live in France, which hydrostore do you use? Since it seems hard to find hyper fans etc on mainland Europe/ LEC lights

[@bepriceless]

Does anyone know, can you or have you grown outdoor with the big rock wool cube instead of soil?

[@czar89031]

i love the idea of a rockwool for hydroponics but my question is where do you buy the instrument measuring the ph water nutrient for plants also where can i buy the rockwool big mamma 8 inch block, & thanks for sharing,...

[@Just4Growers]

Cesar Caoili Hi Cesar, thanks for your question. If you live in the US try this retailer search-just put in your zip code. www.just4growers.com/find-a-store.aspx - or, for Grodan rockwool / stonewool try Grodan's dealer list - grodan101.com/store or for pH and EC meters and dosing equipment try Bluelab's dealer search here: www.bluelab.com/where-to-buy -- Good luck, THANKS for subbing my channel Cesar, and if you need any help or advice you know where I am. Peace and happy growing, Everest.

[@medycznyolej5355]

How many times per day and how much water should I use to watering Hugo rockwool in veg and flowering ? I am planing 16 plants per meter ( Orange Diesel ) 3 weeks veg and 10 weeks grow. Can you advice +Everest ?

[@sebastianburgel6879]

I love your videos, extremely informative and super professionally made - only one thing that *really* annoys me is the talking speed and way-over-the-top-motivated voice. You do so great stuff, we'll definitely be with you for 1 more minute if thats what it takes to adjust the speed to adequate levels!

[@DIYSolarandWind]

You appeared in the side bar. I'm soon to build a raised bed garden. I will want to build a double canopy cover also, We have to grow our own food now. Thank you for teaching your food growing strategies. I hope you get rich from this since people are waking up to the solar minimums leading in to solar cycle 25. Social Distancing just might keep farmers from getting the crops in the ground on time Global.

[@N1kRolexx]

Everest, i heared that pH can be unstable in those big cubes. What do you think? Did you have such problems?

[@alpineflauge909]

thanks

[@elizabethgregory4454]

hi there, I would like to know where did you buy your lab equipment?

[@Shibu11229]

Can I use the big mama have to grow a citrus tree? I don’t plan on letting it get any larger than 5 feet tall.

[@LCMDM2010]

If using a dutch/bato bucket with perlite, do you size up to the 3-inch block or put the 1.5 inche cube in the bucket?