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How To Set Up A Hydroponic System - Substrates - Rockwool
Over the next few days I thought we would take a look at the variety of substrates available to us when setting up our hydroponic system starting with Rockwool.
Rockwool is made using an ingenious process whereby natural basalt rock is mixed with chalk and then heated to 1600°C causing it to turn into lava. Once the mixture is melted, it is then spun like cotton candy, compressed and finally cut into a variety of sized cubes and slabs. Due to the manufacturing process, the resultant Rockwool is completely inert and is able to hold large quantities of nutrient solution (50% approx), the other 50% being made up of air. This promotes healthy root growth and helps prevents rotting due to overwatering.
ADVANTAGES
+ Plants can be started from cuttings or seeds and transplanted into larger blocks without risk of stress to individual plants and the root system.
+ Provides an optimum balance of nutrient retention and oxygen.
+ Can be used as part of a drip hydroponic system.
+ Simple to set up.
+ Plants can be grown in Rockwool and then later on planted into soil with the Rockwool still attached.
DISADVANTAGES
- Requires large amounts of space due to one plant one block.
- Slabs of Rockwool can be extremely heavy once wet.
- Cost, due to the fact that this material can’t be reused easily.
Hydroponics for the Home Gardener: An easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide for growing healthy vegetables, herbs and house plants without soil. (Gardening)
