After the first few months of community lockdown, people living in the urban side of the country realizes the great need of having your own garden for daily food. But with the limited space in the city, this seems to be impossible. Until these city people, tried to search "urban planting" on Google.
One of the popular ways of urban planting is having this soil substitute called Rockwool. This is made of two natural ingredients, basalt rock and chalk, that areds heated to 3000 degrees Fahrenheit and “spun” and cooled, transforming it into a material that is perfect for a plant’s root zone. The process of making a rockwool his creates an ideal growing medium for hydroponic growing systems.
Don't you know that this small but terrible rockwool is originally used as thermal insulation material in the construction industry?
This has been very widely use to help keep the heat inside the building. Around late 1960's when people in Denmark thought of the possibility of using rockwool as a growing media. Since then the development and improvement has been unstoppable.
Before its popularity in the world of plant enthusiast whose rooftop are now their "city farm" or those condo residents in whose balconies are now their "city garden", many large scale commercial producers have been using rockwool for the production of longer term crops and fruiting plants
But why use rockwool? Is it safe in food production? Here are some facts:
- It is safe. It is manufactured without the presence of any harmful chemicals. It is being considered as a rooting medium and a good substrate material for plants since it contains no weed seeds or any disease pathogen or pests. However, it contains no nutrients or organic compouns or microbes. That is why when using rockwool, make sure that you will use a hydroponic solutions to meet its nutritional needs.
- It is economical. Each rockwool can retain small amount of water near the bottom of each cube. And it drains excess water quickly and allows plants to attain adequate hydration while allowing more air to circulate and oxygenate the roots. You can even reuse each cube for many times as long you do the boiling and steaming between uses to kill pathogens.
What are the disadvantages?
- It is non-biodegradable. Throwing it means having it in the landfill forever. So use it again and again. Boiling or steaming between uses is recommended to kill pathogens. It is possible to shred and reuse it in other growing mixes. You can even incorporate it into outdoor soils and gardens as a soil conditioner.
How to use the Rockwool?
- Soak rockwool cubes in a slightly acidic water solution with pH of at least 5.5 to 6.5 for about an hour. Some will add several drops of lemon juice and use pH test strips to attain the correct acidity.
- Once your rockwool cubes are soaked, you’re ready to plant. For placing seed, you may wet the tip of a toothpick and "stick-pick" the seed with the wet end. Place it on the hole on the top of the rockwool cube. Put a gentle press to the see to place it on the bottom of the rockwool.
- Wait for the next 2-3 days. You will see your seeds starting to sprout and a couple of more days you will see first true leaves. For those who decided to plant two seeds per cube, now is the time you need to cut the tops off of the seed that isn’t the strongest (or tallest) in each cube. DO NOT pull them out as you may disturb the strong plant that is sharing the cube.
- Spray pH balanced water on the cubes and keep an eye to make sure if they are becoming dry.
After few weeks of germination, you may now transplant your crop to your hydroponic system. Some sees the roots coming out of the bottom of the rockwool as an ideal time to transplant. This will help ensure the plant’s roots grow downward into your system. If you wait too long to transplant, the roots will begin to wrap around the bottom of the cube until it is given room to expand.
Are you a hydroponic/aquaponic enthusiasts, and planning for a bulk order of rockwool?
E-Sensetial Venture International Co. has direct contacts with its huge manufacturer abroad that can supply best quality and lowest priced rockwool cubes. Most of the rockwool being sold in pack of 50 or 100 online are mostly sold in Php 8.00 each. There are some being sold at incredibly low prices but the size is as small as it was sold. So always on the look out!!!
Product Description:
- Item: Rockwool Cubes
- DDP Price Available (All Taxes Paid)
- Size: 30mm x 30mm x 40mm OR 3cm x 3cm x 4cm
- Water Absorption: 600%
- Density: 60-100 kg/m3
- Minimum Order Quantity: 1,000 pcs
- Free Shipping within Metro Manila
For inquiries, feel free to email us at esensetialventure@gmail.com