Is Rockwool Safe to use in Hydroponics: The Pros and Cons of Using Rockwool to Start Seeds

One of the most common ways of starting seeds for hydroponics is to drop the seeds into a cube of rockwool. Its really easy - although you do need to soak the rockwool in water first, but this video is not about HOW to use rockwool. The purpose of this video is to try to answer some concerns growers have about USING rockwool. What are the advantages and disadvantages to using rockwool?
Links to products used for growing in rockwool, Amazon affiliate links:
Rockwool: amzn.to/2VGLZuo
pH up/down: amzn.to/36MU9ru
My Bird Feeder: amzn.to/3lNydAW

[@speranza8494]

You do an absolutely amazing job of explaining it. I am so glad to have found you!

[@TiktokBrandoniMacaroni]

Mess with the good thing in the quest for the perfect thing!!!! Well said

[@TikkiOOO]

And I'm usually guilty.....thanks Cy!

[@SilverforceX]

Just use cotton balls. Works just as well to germinate seeds, it's 100% natural without the massive energy required to make rock wool in a 1600C furnace!

[@will9357]

Cotton fields/plants are usually defoliated with arsenic... which is hardly "100% natural" at least with regards to farming practices.

[@hoaphanthi7608]

Thank you Ms Tikiki. I want to make a small hydroponic garden. I am researching growing with rockwool . After watching your video I feel much more secure. Thanks for your sharing. I am very happy to be able to subscribe to your channel and learn more about how to grow clean vegetables for my project.😍

[@tnijoo5109]

Great videos! I love your style of presenting and the way you edit your videos. Oh- and also the in depth research you do for each video. Thank you! 😊 🙏

[@TikkiOOO]

Thank you for the nice comment, much appreciate it!

[@GMT439]

@@TikkiOOO If you are saying it's not easily the best growing medium that exists and is use by all commercial industrial growers worldwide then that will make you a liar. There is no dangers at all associate with it and it is proven over at least 30 years now to be the best medium for many types of crops. Like I said before , if you are not saying that then you a 100% a Liar or are misinformed and should not be misinforming others on the subject.

[@KatyKaty8347]

Good morning! Thanks for doing this video. I totally agree with your assessments! 😀

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Kathryn...ultimately its up to each person to decide for themselves...happy growing, and thanks for the comment!

[@Zilverstrike]

Thank you for your great on point explanation videos. Everytiome i learn something new. Keep up the great work. And thank you.

[@mrk8063]

Thank you. I just purchased lettuce, grown in rockwool. Your video put me at ease as to its safety, for human consumption. Keep up the good work ✌

[@usewisdom2]

Its not safe if grown in material that you have to use gloves and mask, because if inhaled its dangerous for lungs. Food grown on it, may take longer for people to to get effects, like the pesticide-grown foods that do not seem to harm early on. For example, they spray pesticides on the crops and when we eat foods grown this way, it causes diseases, but its' not noticed until its too late much later. Then the docs blame it on not taking their meds (drugs) which never cures anything but only creates more diseases and the honeypot increases for them while people's health deteriorates as time goes by and they they blame it on age.

[@michelegrunwald6073]

Thank you for this! I have breathing issues so knowing I should wear a mask is super important! You're a blessing.

[@sandram5664]

Thank you Tikiki, this was good information. I use pebbles for everything except scallions which I want to grow in a well-spaced and well-anchored clump. I can make small indents for the seeds all over the rock wool and it works perfectly for that. I end up using about 4 to 6 one-inch cubes a year, so I’m ok with that.

[@TikkiOOO]

That sounds perfect, I've also been having success with the clay pebbles. Thanks for the comment Sandra, I appreciate it!

[@mingrwc]

Great job and clear as always ! 👏👍 I’m using rockwool.

[@PeaceLoveAndRico]

I'm attempting lava rock seed starting... obviously a bad idea so it'll probably be my new favorite method! :)

[@debodeeful]

Wow, you really had some list than kind comments. Though I use chlorine/formaldehyde natural brown paper towels or organic cotton balls, and opted not to use rockwool for many reasons mentioned, your presentations are calm, clear, with easy to understand instructions that doesn't need one needing to stop and rewind. Great job.❤

[@JenMarco]

Great information. Thank you!

[@JimmyBHarvests]

I’ve been using small pieces of rockwool on my channel and getting 10-20 plants easily out of each cube. Rockwool is incredibly cost effective if you don’t use more than you need to with each plant! Great video tikki!

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks for the comment JimmyB!

[@GMT439]

@@TikkiOOO There is NO DANGER & NO CONS to growing in Rockwool. NFT with Rockwool and HPS lighting is how all indoor crops in the entire world are grown for the best results. THIS IS A FACT.

[@Paintingtube]

Thank you for the details 👍🏼

[@mgrey1602]

Good video with great info. I, too, am currently growing lettuces by starting in clay pebbles. Just sprinkled the seeds over the wet pebbles and they took off. Now growing them in net cups in the solution. Advantage here was a faster time into the growing solution. Do not know if I like the clay pebbles in the basket yet, so I am waiting to see your next video on this! Thank you!

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks for the comment....its great growing together with other people on KZbin, we can all learn from each other. Good luck on you lettuce grow!

[@christuck3526]

I been getting white growing stuff on top of my clay pebbles...would like more info on this or why it is occurring and if bad for my plants health. I gave up on italian tomatoes, wrong type to grow indoors and they got a white fungus and it slowly died. Had a fan running too and used neem oil.

[@mgrey1602]

@@christuck3526 Hi, just a stab in the dark here, but could it be salts or perhaps lime deposits? Maybe try filtered water?

[@pjarma8536]

Before you open the bag cut a small hole in opposite corners then run through with water and open it then. The water washes out loose fibres and it’s ready to cut on the opened bag.

[@gypsy2]

Great Idea. Very much appreciated.👍

[@pjarma8536]

@@gypsy2 also when your working with it if it needs to stay dry then use a spray bottle of water to spray the air around it we have a term in the building game called “keeping the dust down” and it means wetting the dust to keep it grounded or “clean the air” which is the same definitions

[@techbiz1017]

Just used it and it worked better than the pods I had used prev.

[@nitafuglo8234]

Wow, you are amazing. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@chriscaufield4634]

I’m down the rabbit hole, watching all of your videos. Excellent info!! Thank you. Is there a reason to not use cotton balls instead of rock wool?

[@danielmonteiro8074]

Cotton will produce things like algae and bacteria. Not ideal as it can Harbour alot of hidden issues .

[@gavelboy01]

I actually loved listening to your explanation while watching the birds at the feeder in the back. I subscribed. Keep up the work as I keep growing in rockwool.

[@afriendlyfellow]

Loved watching that mom bird feed it's baby seeds in the bg

[@ThriveAtelier143]

Great video! Thank you!

[@WilliamAshleyOnline]

"We just moved the rock from its natural habitat to a landfill" earned a subscribe.

it sounds good but it's stupid. producing something that cannot be used afterwards is a complete waste.

[@ladyhawk6999]

I love your videos Tikki! I love how you experiment! Wish you were my neighbor! I have been indoor gardening for a long time having raised beans , tomatoes, cukes , etc , but I am new to rock wool having just set up my first kratky jars of little gem and butter way a head. Germination and growth took longer than I am used to to. Perhaps it is because I am still a greenhorn. While the seedlings are small, the roots are long and an inch or more out of the bottom of the cube. So I set it them up. We shall see. I normally grow in heavy trays with either soil or coco coir , BOTH have had excellent results although with soil gnat issues sometimes arise. ( this is why I am looking into hydroponic type methods). My fav is still coco coir. Most recently I started a tray with many round sections and used potting soil. I planted the seeds on the 15th of OCT, /21 two weeks later I harvested six inch leaves in a clip and come again situation. I used Grow Big solution plant food ( not the hydroponic kind), the roots came through the bottom and are hanging in the tray, Before that I just sprayed water out of a spray bottle to keep it all moist. After that , bottom watered with the solution and the plants just took off!I saw growth daily! Awesome! I usually am eating lettuce two to three weeks after planting doing it this way , even when I solid seed. Of course there is thicker growth and you get more. Today , I set up another big tray with just holes that I can put 32 , 2 inch net cups in each. I have big tray domes of course that fit this. I am trying rock wool in this set up just planted a medley of lettuce seeds. Cross your fingers! I also have great luck with a small hole insert in a full tray using coco coir and solid seeding the lettuce and grows like crazy! I have cut the lettuce up to 11 times and it all tasted great each time! More bang for your buck in my opinion. All in all this is in it's way a form of hydroponics since the root hang in those deeper trays. I save my shallow trays for micro greens as they work best. I have even grown om food grade mesh , but didn't care for it. And since we are all salad aficionados here, sprouts are about the easiest things one can grow needing no more than window light to green it up. A nice addition to the lettuce and other greens.

[@TikkiOOO]

Wow, sounds like you are doing great growing at home! Success to you, and thanks for the comment!

[@vincentpcappello4512]

Good information thanks.

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Hit the nail on the head with this one Tikki! I get a lot of people in my comments spewing the narrative that rocks are harmful pollution. In a stream or in my garden or in a landfill a rock is a rock. People be wilding!

[@TikkiOOO]

A rock is a rock, true is true. And meanwhile it does good by helping to grow a plant, or in your case multiple plants.... Thanks JimmyB!

[@alexthack]

True, a rock is a rock, but rock wool is a manufactured product that requires high temperatures (i.e. energy/carbon) to create. Factor in transportation costs and you basically have something similar to disposable "plastic" that cannot be reused. Been experimenting with clay pebbles with my seed starts, so far so good. My goal is reduse and reuse as much as possible.

[@mireyavanamee8179]

thank you I had no idea!

[@Grow_With_April]

I soooo love your channel. Thank you!

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks April soooo much!

[@justfloating3944]

You did an EXCELLENT job of explaining everything, and teaching us about rock wool!!! I have used it because of your teaching, and it makes growing seeds SO much easier. As you talked, I thought, the Lord Himself said that even the rocks would praise Him. So, what's better than to grow what He gave us in the rocks that He created as well? Duh!

[@TikkiOOO]

I'm glad most people seem to agree, including you, thank you! I appreciate the feedback, thank you!

[@carlpenney901]

You could buy a bag of rockwool insulation the lumber store it made the same way, it would last for years. You cut to any size you want. Cheers

[@markho4500]

I can get the rockwool at a penny per cubic inch at my local hydroponics store. Cheaper when I cut it to size. I like it because I can put way more seeds in the 10x20 tray.

[@jacobridgedell2096]

3:20 thats a brilliant argument for using anything disposable! We just moved it to a new location and it was used for something good. ha ha. "Plastics are made from natural materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt and crude oil" we just mixed them together and moved them to a new location and it was used for something good. "all natural" plastic.

[@ROSHANLAL-jo2ni]

It was very much informative. Presently I am using coco peat as hydroponics medium. Because I believe it is better not to use a mask in the farm.

[@Ms.NoNo2]

What about the formaldehyde and resin used in manufacturing? People should really beware of that when buying rock wool used for insulating.

[@happycamper3455]

That only applies to rockwool used in construction not for use in growing plants..the 2 are totally different

[@gypsy2]

I will have to investigate this further. I would like to think that 'Happy Camper' is right. Just NOT willing to take that chance without proof.

[@daysensouth7325]

You could probably wash most of that out with boiling water or a pressure wash

[@Luckingsworth]

​@@happycamper3455 No they are not lmao. They are fluffy whisps binded by formaldehyde resins.

[@lazuli4253]

I germinate my seed in paper towel, then put it straight in the clay pellets without any rockwool, i always had the seedlings overwatered because of rockwool

[@roxxifelez3668]

I have questions about your PFP.

[@kmccurtis19]

This will be my new method

[@genevieve8873]

Thank you Tikki O!!!

[@TikkiOOO]

Welcome!! 👍😎

[@latestprovenpracticalsolut693]

Nice video :)

[@trevorfear7682]

I have seen some people reusing the rock wool by putting them in long bags. They use these bags of rock wool as a water barrier to redirect water into ditches. Also poking small holes in the bags to use as a filter before culverts that go under the driveway. This stops your culvert from getting clogged and ditches overflowing.

[@carolp8870]

1¹

[@scottmichaels1764]

I love that the big bird defeated the feeder security.

[@eps8737]

Thank you

[@bentb.olesen9022]

Hi Tikki - can you use Stone Wool Insulation for hydroponics - (Instead of Grodan) ? I have tried searching the internet but to no avail

[@MrBird94]

I agree , use a mask and eye protection when its dry, but once its soaked is pretty safe to use. Recycling is possible with smaller pieces but impossible when roots have taken over a small cube. In the Netherlands i pay around €0.20 for a small cube thats good for 1 or 2 pepper seedlings

[@LuisGonzalez-qj6pq]

Excellent video. Can I grom tomatoes in rockwool?

[@eleanorerosanova7538]

Thank you 😊💐🦋💝

[@gypsy2]

Rockwool is actually 'Pele's hair'. (Referring to recent reports about Muana Loa, Hawaii from the Sacramento Bee on Yahoo news). Historically speaking, Volcanic soils are suspected of being incredibly fertile, given the element of time passing. Just look at how lush & green the Hawaiian Islands are. Mineral rich IS what we want our soils to be when growing consumable vegetables & fruits. Surely a little effort in recycling this material is worthwhile. Not a fan of perlite (poison), I suspect it may be carcinogenic. Just my opinion. Haven't tried clay pebbles yet but my favorite has always been peat. New to hydroponics so I remain uncertain that this might be a bit moldy? As I expected, I still have a lot to learn, as I am new to your videos. Grateful for all this 'FOOD for thought'. Thanx, Tikki O. 🌴☕🌻

[@Paintingtube]

Hi tikki O, This is a Random question: For hydroponic Nutrients, I have a 27 gallon tote using 5 gallon amount of filtered water Irrigation system, Currently amount of nutrients Formula is 12.24g master blend and 12.24g Calcium nitrate and Epson salt 6.24g, I herd Nutrients only last 7-14 days indoor, my question is can I reuse the same water and keep adding nutrients!? Or do I have to drain the filtered water out and place new fresh filtered water and start the process again?

[@melanieallen8980]

Thankyou...😊

[@Jessewo]

Thanks! We just tried growing in rockwool for the first time and transplanted our baby greens to the tower once they sprouted but 3-4 days in now we have what looks like white mold on the rockwool cubes, is that normal? Why is this happening and what should we do? Thanks for the help, we are worried!

[@plantaddict5390]

Will you be doing a video on the tiny tim tomato plant? I've wanted to try that since my large tomato plant took over my entire grow tent lol. Great video :).

[@TikkiOOO]

Hi Plang Addict. The Tiny Tims are seedlings right now, I have some in rockwool and some growing on clay pebbles. I will do a video once I get the seedlings moved into their final home, I'm going to put two plants into a Kratky system and two into a DWC system for comparison, so I'll do a video once I've got them settled in their new homes and another video once I get a harvest from them (or maybe one in between). I like to document the growth over time. Thanks for your feedback, I appreciate it!

[@stephaniecoleman6954]

@@TikkiOOO feel free to give any update videos on the clay pebbles. I have been wondering about this!!

[@plantaddict5390]

@@TikkiOOO I love the growth overtime videos as well. Im glad you'll be making a video of it! Looking forward to it.

[@ursulaandrea237]

I love rock wool! It change the whole game

[@TikkiOOO]

Do you use clay pebbles around the rockwool, or just the rockwool? Thanks for the comment!

[@FeedingMyFloridaSoul]

This was my first go around with rockwool and I had bad luck with it. I started 96 seeds I believe and only had 13 seeds come up. Started to poke around to see what was going on and a lot of my seeds rotted. There were no instructions in the package when I got it so I followed by agrotonomy KZbin channel, seeing how they are a bigger company who do it for a living, and one difference that they did that you didn't was covered the holes with vermiculite. So I tried that and after 2 weeks of seeing nothing I realized the seeds were rotted. Kind of a bummer seeing that I would have been building my tower by now but have to go thru save the few seeds that did come up and try all over again with starting seeds.

[@rbbiefah]

Is rock wool too alkaline ? I want to buy rock wool used for insulation and stuff it into plastics insert's with 1.5" x 1.5" cells and sow into them .Is that OK ?

[@ghostshadow1873]

Hi! How many usage of a rockwool does? Thanks.

[@lelandcomeaux]

I am curious as I have never done this, but can you germinate in rockwool and plant the rockwool into soil and just let it grow?

[@rosesmith3377]

Can you plant your rockwool cube and seedlings in a planter outside?

[@stevend.harrington5017]

Micronutrient in the rockwool seems to be an unknown. But, it works better than mixing vermiculite, perlite, and peat moss.

[@ItsoFototo]

It's not only stone but also metal sludge. And it's not stone but a byproduct. The same way you can say that fiber glass is just sand because glass is made of sand.

[@KvisTwig]

i have had… no luck with rockwool so far! But I think I realise my issue… I thought I could let it dry out if some roots could still touch the water, like the kratky method…

[@sinulariasin4887]

Seems like summertime for you...you live in southern climes ? I’m freezen’ up here in Oslo !

[@TikkiOOO]

Sorry to hear that, its going to be a long winter....all the more reason to start growing something indoors!

[@rmcnasty7319]

Spray water on package & wet rock wool as you open & Cut it up. Spray counter & floor wipe with paper towels & Throw away. Have clerk at store wipe down all packages of rock wool before u touch them & take home . Outside house cut packages fill with RO water , let them drain. Then take inside to use.

[@pjarma8536]

If rock wool comes from rock then does it contain a mineral?

[@robertguay3773]

buy rockwool from a Marijuana grow store if it is legal in your area I got 96 1.5 inch rockwool pods for $16 canadian so around $11 US

[@AJR-zg2py]

So just to be sure... is this the same rockwool that can be bought at places like Home Depot? If that's the case, I have almost an entire bale of rockwool (Roxul Safe n' Sound) in my closet left over from a construction project a few years ago. If that's the case... I gotta try this method with my plants and get slowly get my closet space back lol

[@wasserdrucker6227]

Not sure, but i think the rockwool you buy for insulation is soaked with some kind of oil etc. to prevent the fibre from go to the air and deep into the lung?

[@jeffhutjens]

You can throw the rockwool in the wood stove or bbq to burn the root fibres out of it

[@TikkiOOO]

Interesting idea, thanks jeff!

[@dragontiamat5380]

well if you cant reuses the rockwool then when your done with it. i would grind it up & mix it in my dirt this going back to the ground. wouldnt hurt anything

[@SwapSupra]

got a question, is the rockwool cube touch the water when you put it in the hydroponic setup, if so would the rockwool cube absorb to much water? i got a jiffy pellet my seed is starting to grow in it, but im worried about putting the jiffy pellet touching the water in my hydrosetup.. worried that it would absob to much water. can someone help me on this? apologize my bad english

[@miriamrobarts]

For a Kratky method container, you want the bottom of the rockwool (or Jiffy pellet, or other growing medium) to just barely touch the surface of the water (maybe a 1/4" or 1/8" into the water) until the roots grow down to that level. After the roots grow down into the water, everything above the waterline can stay dry. I don't know the answer for other hydroponic systems.

[@SwapSupra]

Miriam Robarts much appreciated !!

[@lightheirart5521]

I have read in several sources that paper towels contain formaldehyde.....Just to flesh out the comparison of risks.

[@debodeeful]

There are natural chlorine and formaldehyde free brown PT

[@Thoracius]

just because it has rock in it, doesn't mean it doesn't have other gross stuff as well. The wikipedia article you show says exactly that: "contain a binder, often a terpolymer, and an oil." Doesn't tell you much.

[@shanefowkes7451]

Personal I'd make 4 small cubes from 1 but thats down to perception, but if a 5mm thick sheet like cardboard existed this prosses would be more accessible with out price compromise

[@elanhugo6785]

I only grow my greens in asbestos. It's just made from stones, and stones aren't harmful, right!?

[@rockyusa2012]

👏👏

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Rocky USA!

[@caustinolino3687]

1:12 It is not just literally spun stone. It is combined with some kind of binder like phenol-urea-formaldehyde. I have no idea if that binder is unhealthy, but to say it's as natural as stone is not true.

[@havingfits8329]

I I re-use my rockwool as much as is possible. I did not know it was not biodegradable and can burry it under the soil where i have a milkweed garden for monarch butterflies on a 1/4 acre of land that is swamp land.

[@TikkiOOO]

It sounds like it will be quite happy resting forever under your garden!

[@havingfits8329]

@@TikkiOOO Thank you it was unused swamp it is now transitioning to a sanctuary ground for monarch butterfly migration along with other wildflowers and pollinators.

[@JimmyBHarvests]

@@havingfits8329 sounds beautiful! No harm burying the rockwool- it’s a rock! There’s rocks in the ground literally everywhere!

[@miriamrobarts]

It's fine to just brake it up & sprinkle it on dirt. All naturally occurring dirt has rock particles in it already (something like compost might not have rock particles, but adding a little isn't going to make a big difference).

[@louisianaprepper13]

I have better luck in seed starter mix. I have tried adjusting pH, using tap water, and others but still don’t have much luck germinating using rockwool.

[@TikkiOOO]

Interesting...I have the same or better success with rockwool...I wonder what the difference is. Maybe there is something in the water besides ph that effects your results?

[@truthwins9044]

Have you tried peat moss wetting it to form and then dry For aero grow?

[@TikkiOOO]

Hi Tennessee, I've tried coco coir and it falls into the water through the net cups, is the peat moss better?

[@truthwins9044]

@@TikkiOOO not sure was hoping someone could tell me. Just bought a aero garden yesterday for the first time and just watching and learning. Also have well water and heard it isn’t any good for hydroponic so is rain water okay? And thanks for your reply. 🙏❤️🙏🙏🙏

[@JimmyBHarvests]

@@truthwins9044 you can always try distilling the water. Rain water would be great as well. You can make anything work if you get ph monitors and buffer solutions! I use tap water mostly on my channel.

[@truthwins9044]

@@JimmyBHarvests thank you!

[@miriamrobarts]

I've heard that peat moss isn't a sustainable product. Peat bogs take hundreds of years to develop, so people are concerned about how much is being harvested. For this reason, I would try other growing mediums.

[@fx1c333]

why not use sphagnum moss

[@_Lightning_Dog_]

I have chickens so worry about them pecking and ingesting the rock wool

[@parttimeuber865]

Try cotton balls

[@m.j.carlson8246]

So, as for sustainability, my guess is heating the rock wool to 1600 degrees C involves burning fossil fuels. Have you considered the release of greenhouse gasses involved?

[@CL-ty6wp]

There is no free lunch.

[@jamesgarret4030]

Theyll disintegrate when through in dirt. They are NOT stone. they are made from stone. Big difference

[@sparkymikey25]

The rockwool as it breaks down can be broken down by the roots which are eaten in certain plants like carrots. Rockwool is basically fiberglass which is known to cause cancer if consumed or breathed in.

[@gypsy2]

This, I did NOT know. Thank You, Michael.

[@dlove118]

It's not fiberglass and it doesn't break down. Even as a growing medium small particles would be minimum considering it's always wet. I've never really heard of anyone using it for root vegetable growing though

[@sparkymikey25]

It does breakdown. All vegetables have roots not just root vegetables.

[@MamiiMarine]

I am with you Michael! I believe it is fiberglass. Never heard of stone being able to soak up liquid such as water or be able to squeeze liquid out of it. Or stone biodegrading at least not on this planet. I will be trying clay balls and 100% cotton.

[@sparkymikey25]

@@MamiiMarine I don't think it's the exact same as fiberglass but very similar and the best thing we have to compare it to. I haven't tried cotton balls but I've tried those clay balls and sometimes I don't put anything but then more evaporation occurs. Please update me when you find our how that works for you, happy Memorial Day!

[@BrianWerner]

Is it safe to use is a question that was not answered.

[@betsysmith9176]

As another commenter suggested: start 15 tiny seeds in one cube and transfer them in to another medium to save resources. To those concerned about it being a "man-made" material, you're literally going hydroponic gardening. It seems like a huge psychological leap to presume that rockwool is inherently bad until proven otherwise when you're literally growing food in a man-made nutrient solution housed in a plastic container under synthetic lights.

[@jammapcb]

Hemp fibers, and hemp wool = way better and o natural!

[@superdupaify]

Will my crop get high? Anyway it's an good idea.

[@jammapcb]

@@superdupaify no its hemp! but with lime, water, bonding agent and hemp shive. R rating is 39. its fireproof, rot resistant, insect and waterproof. In the mean time it helps the soil for farmers, produce 4x more oxygen, takes in carbon when processed as well. And when built, carbon negative. its 40 million years in the making. also it has 50000 uses the hold hemp plant! oils, fuels, soaps to 50% stronger wood than oak. to paper, to plastics and the list goes on. Even graphene can be made from it for battery tech. Animal super foods in the cannabis seed and leafs. its probably why it was banned. Everyone on this planet should be growing it!

[@johnmirbach2338]

😁 ✌🖖👌👍😎

[@TikkiOOO]

👍😎👍😎👍😎👍😎thanks John M!

[@0x80O0oOverfl0w]

I've only just now heard of this rockwool stuff, but to me it honestly just seems like asbestos with a different name. This stuff scares me.

[@jimmacgregor4459]

Granted that rockwool is made of stone. However, it's remade into a new form. Rocks in an ecosystem are subject to that system's natural erosion effects. With rockwool, we don't know (that I've been able to find) how this form breaks down over time. With a long documented history of unintended consequences of man-made materials, it seems to me that relying on known compostable materials in hydroponics is the better long-term play. Especially as hydroponics grows on an industrial scale.

[@TikkiOOO]

Food for thought. I've germinated a bunch of seeds recently on just clay pebbles which are reusable. Thanks for the thoughtful comment Jim M, appreciate it!

[@bevkelly2734]

I paid £2 for a hundred cubes

[@GMT439]

The title is a very stupid question given that Rockwool is the most popular indoor growing medium in the world and has been for at least 30 years.

[@SeamusHarper1234]

Uhm, do you use a green screen? It is kind of irritating because the sound atmosphere (empty room, echo) doesn't match the picture (lots of space outside, no echo expected, other sounds) Other than that, nice video!

[@TikkiOOO]

Good eye....or should I say good ear!!! Unfortunately its hard to film outside, too cold, rainy, windy, etc. But I love the birds that come to visit....I figured they make a good backdrop. Thanks for the comment!

[@fd07a]

I’m using cotton balls; cheaper than rock wool and is bio degradable

[@jimnabustos9920]

i know this comment is not your point ,but i followed all steps to grow hydroponic plants and failed, they turned yellow and died, i have returned to soil

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Don’t give up! I’ve been growing with both hydroponics and soil on my channel, and the hydroponic plants have had better harvests every time! Once you get the hang of germination with hydroponics you’ll never look back!

[@TikkiOOO]

Sorry to hear that Jimna. I like planting in good old soil outdoors, but indoors I like the hydroponics. Its hard to know what the problem is, it could be your water or something else, but if you are having success with soil, then stick with what works for you, and enjoy the harvest!

[@debodeeful]

Did you just use water without nutrients?

[@charlotteseers8763]

i really appreciate that you took the time to make this video, but think it needs some more research beyond wikipedia and reddit. saying that a rock sitting in a natural landscape isn't doing anything so may as well be used in hydroponics...well it's convenient for people who want to feel good about using rockwool but is quite an ignorant comment. just think about the environmental cost of mining these materials, and how energy intensive they are to produce at such high temperatures. and your point that rockwool is just spun rock so must be food safe - bear in mind that it is subjected to intensive industrialised processes, and that there is a difference between food grade rockwool sold by hydroponic suppliers, and the kind you get in wall insulation which will be treated with some nasty substances. this info isn't readily available online so i appreciate it's tricky to get a rounded picture - just thought you missed out the environmental impact of mining, producing, transporting and disposing of rockwool, which I think is more detrimental than your video made out

[@CL-ty6wp]

rocks are the reason why the earth has soil. Most of soil is inorganic minerals.

"moving rock from its natural habitat to a landfill?" What bullshit! Producing something that cannot be used afterwards is a total waste. Also, it's good that you don't think the same about aluminum or rubber which is also found in nature. After all, plastic is also made from crude oil, which was already there... if rockwool can't be recycled, growers simply shouldn't use it.

[@robertmarshall5117]

I guess that's it for we humans: we produce waste that is rarely reused. But I suppose you use all yours.

[@williamgiersdorf577]

you want to worry about bad stuff hitting the landfill? All you clowns driving electric cars that break down should know that there is NO recycling going on of your electric vehicle's former battery and on top of that the damage to the environment mining all the materials required to manufacture said battery for that clunker electric car is massive. Before you complain about someone moving a piece of rock from point a to point be make sure you're not guilty of doing the same or worse. Everyone has a lot of garbage to clean up in their own back yard before you start trying to accuse someone else of messing stuff up. Oh, yeah, Green Energy is a MYTH.

[@SuperPussyFinger]

A rather irresponsibly glib treatment of the subject of health and rockwool exposure. Rockwool that is inhaled and retained in the respiratory tract can pose a significant health risk. Scarring of internal tissues and the development of cancerous tumors have been associated with long-term exposure to rockwool and other synthetic fibers. Risk of developing chronic diseases of the lungs such as pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, and pleural mesothelioma also have shown to increase with long-term rockwool exposure according to the Center for Disease Control. Airborne rockwool fibers are potentially as dangerous as asbestos.