Not all gardeners understand the definition of what Rockwool is for hydroponics. It is an inorganic material. It is composed of basalt rock and recycled slag.
As it has a compact characteristic, it won’t absorb water from the hydroponic plants’ roots. The good thing is that Rockwool is good for almost all kinds of plants.
The Basic Use of What is Rockwool for Hydroponics
Many gardeners agree that Rockwool has become one of the most suitable substrates available for hydroponics. Rockwool’s benefits vary and are very helpful for anyone with hydroponic plants.
Rockwool blocks are available in various sizes. Rockwool should be ready at the right sizes before it is used for hydroponics. Or else it will not function properly. Some Rockwool fails to function well when it is not too thin or thick.
Preparing Rockwool
The first and foremost thing to do is to cut up the Rockwool block in a regular cut. It has to be tidy. Besides, it should be clean from dirt or roots from preceding plants.
When it happens, then the new setup of hydroponic plants is easy to be contaminated
Gardeners should also ensure that the Rockwool pieces are wet before seed-planting. This helps with the hydration of the roots. When the roots are hydrated enough, there will be no dry spot on any of those blocks.
Rockwool Characteristic
The basic characteristic of Rockwool is its ability to hold water. Besides, it won’t wick moisture away as soils do. It means that watering hydroponic plants that use Rockwool as the media is highly crucial.
Rockwool blocks should be wet before planting seeds while they have to get lots of water during the growing process.
The properties of Rockwool are suitable for hydroponic gardening. Rockwool is permeable and has good thermal stability. It has a non-absorbency and porosity characteristic.
Another benefit of Rockwool is its reducing leaching that flows into the water. This method allows the water to be recycled back to hydroponic plants, so there will be a depletion of nutrients.
Using Rockwool In Hydroponics
Physically, what is Rockwool for hydroponics is available in various thicknesses. Some of them have shapes that are similar to cubes. They can function well for seedlings or small plantings.
The measurement is usually as thick as two inches. It can suit settings for a large room where the more mature plants can get good support of water and nutrients. The right measurement assures better water and nutrient circulation
Requirements Needed
There are some requirements for gardeners to use Rockwool for planting. The required supplies include Rockwool substrate, seedlings, fertilizer, and potting mix soil. Most Rockwool is available in the form of cubes and blocks.
The shapes depend on the exact requirements of gardeners’ plants. The function of Rockwool blocks us for various purposes, such as containers, propagation, and hydroponics.
Meanwhile, Rockwool in cubes has various uses, such as the protector of water pressure.
The Main Function of Rockwool for Hydroponics
The main function of Rockwool is to maintain the roots to be healthy and organized. It will cause a constant environment for living plants.
Rockwool is also suitable for protecting the roots of hydroponics and other kinds of planting arrangements. Rockwool can also avoid mold and pests, which is the best hydroponics solution.
Planting hydroponics with Rockwool is easy as it prevents all new plants from wilting. This is particularly when the plants are placed in an enclosed environment.
Most gardeners place their hydroponic plants in a greenhouse. Other kinds of media might cause the growth of mold under conditions where there is a high level of humidity and also excessive heat.
But, Rockwool can avoid this chance. It is molded-resistant thanks to its inorganic compound. Mold spores can’t get their food source on Rockwool, so there will be no problem with the growing mold that is very bothering.
This is why the best function of Rockwool is for indoor plants, particularly hydroponics. The root can grow without any chance of molding plants by ventilating the space.
Why Rockwool is The Best Option
Rockwool has a good level of water retention. Rockwool has the best water retention level compared to other kinds of substrate.
The reason is that it has much smaller fibers with very dense characteristics. The condition allows the fiber to hold any liquid tighter, which can seep in between the gaps.
Replacing Rockwool
There is no doubt that there should be a routine replacement of Rockwool. When it begins drying out, it indicates that it requires more liquid.
Gardeners should replace the Rockwool when it experiences color changes. Usually, the color turns yellow-green from dark green.