1. Hydroponic systems with rock wool
Rock wool (or mineral wool) is the most commonly used medium in hydroponics. Rock wool is an inactive substrate that is suitable for both "free drain" ("drain-to-waist") and recirculating systems. It is made from molten stones that are spun into cotton candy-like fibres. This creates a fibrous medium that is excellent at drawing water (capillary effect).Stone wool is available in a wide variety of designs and sizes: As Mat, as a cube or as Flakes. Similar media are e.g. oasis flakes, hortis and perlite. Due to the skin-irritating effect of fibres and dust, gloves and long-sleeved clothing should be worn when using rock wool when dry. If the rock wool is moist, this problem no longer exists.
Advantages of rock wool
- weigh very little (very light)
- free from pathogens
- ideal nutrient supply for the plants, oxygen-water ratio is ideal
For hydroponics with Stonewool a drip irrigation system that starts 2-7 times during each light phase can be used. Ebb and flow tables and NFT technology are also suitable. Rockwool needs a pH of 6.0 in the rooting phase of cuttings, in the vegetative phase and early flowering only 5.6-5.8 and then towards the end of flowering 5.3-5.6.
- ph-value for cuttings during rooting: 6.0
- ph-value for vegetative phase: 5.6-5.8
- pH value Last time of flowering: 5.3-5.6
2. Hydroponic systems with coconut substrate
Coco substrate is made from the fibres of the outer husk of the coconut. In the case of high-quality substrate from the specialist shop, the coconut fibres are already colonised with Trichoderma bacteria, which protect the roots and stimulate root growth. Because of the ideal air and water ratio, it is almost impossible to overwater coco. It can also store unused minerals and then release them when they are needed by the plant. Coco is excellent for hydroponic systems, is 100% organic and can be reused. Coir substrate is available loose in Bags or as pressed blocks, e.g. from Bionovawhich are then soaked in water and ground before use. Coco is particularly suitable for Drip irrigation systems and the NFT technology recommended. More on this later in our series.....
- pH value between 5.5 and 6.5
- EC value for cuttings: 0.4 - 0.6
- EC value for young plants 1.2 - 1.5
- EC value growth and flowering 1.5 - 2.2
-> continue to: Hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics - Part 4: Aeroponics
