Rockwool For Hydroponic Marijuana Growing

Rockwool harnesses the power of natural stone to produce a fluffy and aerated growing medium ideal for cannabis growing. This material drains well, supports root development, and arrives in a cuboid shape that is easy to transplant into hydroponic or soil-based systems.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about this robust material. Find out why to use Rockwool in both hydroponic and soil systems, how it works during every stage of the growing cycle, and much more.

What Is Rockwool?

Rockwool is a branded form of mineral wool, a material used primarily as thermal and acoustic insulation in the construction of homes, hospitals, recording studios, and even stadiums.

The Danish founders of Rockwool obtained a licence in 1935 to produce stone wool in Scandinavia, Germany, and New Jersey. Over almost a century, the Rockwool company has continually refined their manufacturing process to create a more efficient and effective product.

As well as serving as a crucial building material, Rockwool has helped to facilitate the growth of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of cannabis plants. The substance brings a host of benefits to the grow room and garden.

For one, Rockwool doesn’t contain any organic material. This means it’s immune to decomposition at the hands of mould and fungi. Rockwool is also free from heavy metals. These elements, such as lead and chromium, are highly toxic to plants, cause yellow leaves and prevent photosynthesis, and can even kill plants altogether.

• How Is Rockwool Made?

The inception of mineral wool came about when observers at a volcano watched strong winds whip lava into woolly fibres.

A combination of basalt rock, fast spinning actions, and extremely high temperatures are used to make Rockwool. The process starts with a combination of basalt rock and slag recycled from the steel industry.

As a form of solidified lava, basalt rock forms underground when rock melts and then rapidly cools down. Whole basalt rocks, and briquettes made from basalt particles, are melted into lava alongside steel slag within a furnace. To replicate the extreme environment of a volcano, furnaces are cranked up to 1500°C.

Upon mimicking a volcano, the factory machinery then needs to mimic the wind. The lava enters a spinning machine that whips it into thin strands of stone wool. The addition of some binding solution oil helps to hold the strands together. Another machine layers several sheets of wool on top of each other, then a conveyor belt passes them through a series of rollers that compress the wool into a dense mat and improve its structure.

Finally, the dense sheets enter a large oven. The heat activates the binding solution and enables the wool fibres to hold their shape.

• Can Rockwool Be Composted?

Yes! Rockwool contains basalt, which works great as a soil amendment in general. This nutrient supports the growth of every plant cell, aids in energy transfer and photosynthesis, and plays an especially important role during the flowering phase. As a bonus, basalt rock dust also helps to absorb large quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Shred your used Rockwool cubes into fine strips before adding them to your compost pile to speed up the rate at which they release minerals into the soil.

• Is Rockwool Biodegradable?

Technically, no. Because Rockwool contains no organic material, microbes such as fungi and bacteria won’t break it down in the same way they would food scraps, leaves, and twigs.

However, healthy soil doesn’t just contain organic substances. Vital minerals and elements required by plants are inert by nature. Some of these are locked away inside of Rockwool and will eventually end up inside your cannabis plants, where they’ll enable and support key physiological functions.

Tossed whole onto a compost pile, Rockwool will take an extremely long time to break down—hence why many growers see it as bad for the environment. You should aim to shred up your used cubes as finely as possible to accelerate this process.

• Is Rockwool Reusable?

We don’t recommend using the same Rockwool cube to start a new seed. Although the material itself prevents microbial growth, small pieces of roots and organic matter can end up trapped between the fibres, which can encourage the growth of detrimental fungi.

The structural integrity of a Rockwool cube will also deteriorate after a single round of growth. As the thick and strong main roots develop, they’ll make holes in the cube, in turn making it less able to accommodate another set of roots in the future.

To put your used Rockwool cubes to use, we recommend simply shredding them and tossing them onto your compost pile to recycle the nutrients within.

However, if you’re trying to grow cannabis as cheaply as possible, you can probably squeeze another plant or two out of the same Rockwool cube. First, you’ll need to submerge it in boiling water to kill off lurking pathogens dislodged from the previous root system.

Second, consider wrapping a rubber band or soft garden tie around the middle of the cube to ensure it doesn’t break in half during the next grow.

Why Use Rockwool To Grow Cannabis?

There are many benefits to growing cannabis with Rockwool, especially when doing so hydroponically.

Pros of Rockwool for Growing Cannabis

Rockwool offers a long list of benefits to cannabis growers. Not only does it prevent pathogens from multiplying, but it helps seeds germinate and facilitates good drainage. 

Cons of Rockwool for Growing Cannabis

Just like every other form of growing media, Rockwool cubes also carry some unique disadvantages.

How To Use Rockwool To Grow Cannabis

Now that you know everything about Rockwool cubes, including their pros and cons, how should you go about using them when growing weed? 

Stabilise the pH and Feed Your Blocks

Before you pop your seeds into the cubes, you’ll need to adjust the cubes' pH to make them less alkaline. This step also gives you a chance to infuse nutrients into your cubes to give your seedlings the best start to life possible.

For this key step you’ll need:

• pH-down product
• pH tester
• Organic nutrients
• Rhizobacter (optional)
• Mycorrhizal fungi (optional)

Directions:

1. Fill up a shallow bowl with water and test the pH. Add your pH-down product until your meter shows an acidic reading of 5.5.

2. Submerge your blocks into the solution and leave them to soak for 24 hours. After a while, the alkalinity of the blocks will raise the pH of the solution. Return to the blocks once every few hours to test the solution. Re-apply the pH-down product as needed to maintain a reading of 5.5.

3. After 24 hours have passed, fill up another bowl with 1 litre of water. Add your organic nutrient solution, fungi, and bacteria to the bowl in the quantities stated on the instructions. Soak the blocks in the solution for another two hours.

4. Now your blocks have the correct pH, are loaded with nutrients, and harbour beneficial bacteria and fungi that will fuse to the roots and help them thrive later on in the growing cycle.

• Germination

Rockwool makes germinating cannabis seeds super easy. Moreover, it works well for hydroponic growers who want to use cuttings.

Cuttings (Hydroponics)

Hydroponic growers often start things off with clones to speed up the growing process. Many soil growers use this method as well. Fortunately, cuttings root extremely well in Rockwool cubes. Use the technique below to get a head start.

1. Take a cutting: Follow the correct procedure to take a cutting from your mother plant.

2. Nourish your cutting: Dip the cut tip of your clone into rooting gel to expose it to rooting hormones, nutrients, and trace elements.

3. Put your clones into cubes: Use a skewer to create a sizeable hole in the top of each Rockwool cube. Inset the stem of your cutting into the hole, gently pushing it so it reaches the bottom half of the block.

4. Water, light, and humidity: Place your cuttings in a tray and place a plastic covering over them to increase the humidity. Use a spray bottle to add moisture to the bottom of the tray. Hang up some high-quality LED lights over the top of the dome on a cycle of 18 hours on and 6 hours off.

Seeds (Soil)

Soil growers often choose to start the process with seeds. But the process below is effective regardless of whether you grow in soil or hydro.

1. Insert your seeds: Use a wooden skewer to create a small hole in the centre of each soaked block. Place your seed into the hole and use the skewer to gently nudge your seed into the centre of the cube.
2. Create a humidity trap: Seedlings germinate faster and more successfully in environments with high humidity. If you own a mini greenhouse, just place your cubes into trays and situate them on the shelves. Alternatively, just grab a relatively deep bowl or tray and a roll of cling film. Place your blocks into the container and cover with cling film to trap humidity as the water content escapes from the blocks.
3. Set up your lights: Set up a high-quality LED grow light above your mini greenhouse, or around 10cm above your bowl or tray. Turn on the lights one day into the germination process. It'll guide your seedlings to the surface and prevent them from turning leggy. Set your timer to 16 hours on and 8 hours off to help photoperiod seeds get used to their vegetative cycle.
4. Be patient: Germination can take anywhere from two days to one week depending on genetics and other factors. Check in on your seeds once in a while, but understand that they need time to make the magic happen.

• Vegetative Phase

After seedlings have developed their first few sets of true leaves, they enter the vegetative phase. By this time, you’ll notice roots starting to protrude out of the Rockwool blocks. This means they’re ready for a bigger home!

Hydroponics

When your seedlings/cuttings have outgrown their blocks, you’ll need to move them into your hydroponic setup. Before we explain how to do this, here are the best and most suitable systems to use alongside Rockwool blocks.

• Drip irrigation: As one of the most popular types of hydroponics, these simple systems use low-flow irrigation to save on water. Nutrient solution from the main reservoir is slowly dripped into separate containers to provide food and moisture to individual plants.
• Deep water culture: In DWC systems, plants have their roots constantly suspended in a nutrient solution. Growers need to place an airstone in the tank to continuously provide the roots with oxygen.
• Nutrient film technique: NFT uses a shallow stream of nutrient solution that constantly recirculates over the plant’s root system. Through the use of a pump, the nutrient solution leaves the main reservoir tank, flows through the roots in a separate channel, then reenters the main reservoir.

Once you’ve chosen your preferred technique, use the steps below to kick off the vegetative stage:

1. Grab some net pots: Pace your Rockwool clones into hydroponic net pots. These containers will keep your clones supported while allowing their roots to grow through the gaps and into the tank below.
2. Apply clay pebbles: Place clay pebbles around and on top of your Rockwool cubes. They’ll work to block out the light and prevent algae from forming, while allowing good aeration.
3. Start up your system: Flick the switches to your pumps, add your hydroponic nutrients to the reservoir, and get your system circulating.
4. Turn on the light: Position your light above the canopy and keep elevating it as your plants develop through the seedling stage into the vegetative stage. During vegetation, maintain a light cycle of at least 18 hours on and 6 hours off.

Soil

If you’re growing in soil, you can transplant the Rockwool cubes directly into your new growing medium. Soil growers have a variety of choices when it comes to what to do next. You can transplant into plastic or fabric pots, place your plants into greenhouses or polytunnels, or plant them directly into garden beds.

Some growers like to keep repotting their plants as they grow. However, for the sake of simplicity, we recommend transplanting into a fabric pot and keeping your plants there until harvest. This reduces future transplant stress and keeps plants growing quickly.

Use the steps below to transplant into soil:

1. Prepare your potting mix: Grab a high-quality potting soil (or your own mature compost) and mix with some organic nutrients, mycorrhizal fungi, and rhizobacteria.
2. Fill your pots: Load up your enhanced mix into your pots. Compact the soil down and soak with water.
3. Transplant: Make a hole in the centre of the growing medium large enough for the Rockwool cube and the very bottom of the stem.
4. Fill it in and water: Replace the dug-up soil and cover up the cube. Water your plant to help it settle into its new home.
5. Lighting: If you’re growing indoors, maintain a light cycle of at least 18 hours on and 6 hours off during the entire vegetative phase.
6. Feeding: Feed your plant with veg nutrients high in nitrogen and use the mix every time you water your plants.
7. Watering: To avoid overwatering, only water your plants once the top 2–3 centimetres of the soil are completely dry.

• Flowering Phase

The flowering phase is very similar between soil and hydroponic grows. Here are the main factors to consider.

• Pruning

Give your plant one last prune before it enters the flowering stage. This will allow light to penetrate the canopy so each bud site can thrive.

• Lighting

If you’re growing a photoperiod plant, you’ll need to switch your light cycle to 12 hours on and 12 hours off to force them to flower. If you’re growing outdoors, nature will take care of this for you. Keep autoflowering varieties on a light cycle of 18 hours on and 6 hours off if growing indoors.

• Nutrients

Cannabis plants have different nutritional demands during the flowering stage. Clean out your hydroponic nutrient reservoir and fill it back up with a flowering formula. If you’re growing in soil, start watering your plants with bloom nutrients to ensure big, healthy buds.

• Flushing

Flush your soil or hydro plants one week before harvest. Restrict nutrients and only provide water to remove excess salts from the soil and allow plants to use up the last of their supplies. This will result in tastier and smoother buds.

• Reclaim Your Cubes

After harvest, reclaim your cubes! If you plan on reusing them, submerge them in boiling water and give them a clean. If not, shred them up as finely as possible and dump them on the compost pile.

Top Tips for Using Rockwool

Here are some final tips to reference so you can master using Rockwool to grow cannabis.

1. Don’t Overwater

Try and refrain from overwatering your Rockwool cubes during the seedling stage. They drain quite fast, and many growers get the impression that they’re underwatering. However, the inside of the cube remains nice and moist and will keep your seedlings happy without suffocating them.

2. Don’t Squeeze Your Cubes

Some growers attempt to squeeze their cubes like a sponge to remove excess water. Don’t do this! They drain fine on their own, and squeezing them will damage the cube and the root system of your seedlings.

3. Give Them Room

Don’t place your Rockwool cubes too close together when raising seedlings. The material allows for water to drain and for air to flow through. Don’t lose this advantage by overcrowding your trays.

Should You Use Rockwool for Growing Cannabis?

As you can see, Rockwool cubes offer growers plenty of benefits, from improved aeration to pathogen prevention. However, more environmentally concerned growers choose to avoid them because of how they’re made, and what they’re made of.

If you chose to reap the rewards of Rockwool cubes, why not start a compost pile? You’ll create your supply of soil and keep used cubes out of the landfill site. A win-win.