New Grower Starting seeds in Rockwool: Observations

[greenjeans]

So I have normally started seeds in rockwool the way I usually see it done, meaning by inserting the seed and re-closing the opening by lightly pinching the hole shut.

I have had a 100% germination rate by soaking seeds overnight and planting them in the rockwool the next day.

But about 50% of the time, the seed has a hard time pushing through the rockwool cube to emerge into the light..

Last time I changed the way I planted, and both came up flawlessly. Here is what I did:

When I planted the seeds in the cubes, instead of pinching the hole closed, I back-filled the holes with sawdust. I then gave it a light spray once or twice a day as needed. The seedlings have no problems pushing up through the sawdust, but it blocks out the light well. I am certain that you could do the same thing by back-filling with a pinch of dirt or sand from the yard.

I think the rockwool cubes are just a little too dense for the seeds to sprout through. Sawdust or sand offers MUCH less resistance and allows them to sprout effortlessly.

Anyone else do something like this to give them a good start?

 

[Ozone69]

I hadn't seen the pinching. I used to squeeze excess water out until I learned that was bad because it can mess up the internal structures ability to get the right air and water mixture, so I would probably worry that pinching would be a little too close to the squeezing that caused me some problems.

What I do the last few times that's worked really well is I just tear off a small piece of one of the corners of the rockwool cube, then set that on top over the hole and poke it lightly down in if needed to hold it in place. Blocks out light nicely and has the added benefit of being able to peek inside and check the seed if needed by just moving the plug and then putting it back.

 

[billytimmy]

So I have normally started seeds in rockwool the way I usually see it done, meaning by inserting the seed and re-closing the opening by lightly pinching the hole shut.

I have had a 100% germination rate by soaking seeds overnight and planting them in the rockwool the next day.

But about 50% of the time, the seed has a hard time pushing through the rockwool cube to emerge into the light..

Last time I changed the way I planted, and both came up flawlessly. Here is what I did:

When I planted the seeds in the cubes, instead of pinching the hole closed, I back-filled the holes with sawdust. I then gave it a light spray once or twice a day as needed. The seedlings have no problems pushing up through the sawdust, but it blocks out the light well. I am certain that you could do the same thing by back-filling with a pinch of dirt or sand from the yard.

I think the rockwool cubes are just a little too dense for the seeds to sprout through. Sawdust or sand offers MUCH less resistance and allows them to sprout effortlessly.

Anyone else do something like this to give them a good start?

plant seed in a small shallow dimple in the final pot with moist soil, cover seed loosely with soil, put a quart mason jar on top and stick it under a cfl with a heat mat underneath

100% success rate so far (~10 seeds)