234 lines
11 KiB
Plaintext
234 lines
11 KiB
Plaintext
(The following is for educational purposes only. The author in no way
|
|
endorses nor condones the cultivation of controlled substances. I do,
|
|
however, condemn narrow-minded legislators and law inforcement agencies
|
|
who continue to punish those who do. Fro m my own experience, alchohol
|
|
and tobacco use are inherently more harmful and dangerous than is the
|
|
occasional recreational use of naturally-occuring psychoactive plants,
|
|
such as marijuana and psylocybin mushrooms.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
ROCKWOOL
|
|
|
|
Rockwool is inert, sterile, porous, non-degradable and offers plant
|
|
roots firm support and good oxygen access! It also is lightweight and
|
|
ideal for hydroponic growing - where the grower has complete control of
|
|
pH levels and nutrients at all times.
|
|
|
|
Horticultural rockwool has been used for hydroponic growing in Europe
|
|
since 1969 and produces 50% of all their greenhouse grown vegetables.
|
|
Yields have been recorded of up to 160 tons per acre, crop after crop,
|
|
with greenhouse tomatoes grown in rockwool.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rockwool is an inorganic mineral product that was first discovered on
|
|
the islands of Hawaii in 1840. These rockwool formations were created
|
|
as a natural by-product of volcanic activity. For today's
|
|
horticultural industry it is either produced from rock alone, or from
|
|
a combination of rock, limestone and coke. The components are melted
|
|
at temperatures exceeding 2,500 degrees F. This molten solution is
|
|
poured over a spinning cylinder. As the molten solution flys off the
|
|
cylinder, it elongates and cools to form fibers. These resultant
|
|
fibers (rockwool) are then pressed into sheets, cubes, blocks and/or
|
|
are granulated. Granulated rockwool can be used as a soil mix
|
|
amendment or placed in plastic bags for bag culture.
|
|
|
|
Like all inert (with few or no active properties) media, rockwool acts
|
|
only as a temporary reservoir for nutrients supplied through the
|
|
irrigation water. This allows the grower a tremendous amount of
|
|
control over plant growth through nutrition. Also, ro ckwool's fibrous
|
|
structure contains a high percentage of air space; approximately 20%
|
|
even when it is fully wet. There is little danger of overwatering
|
|
plants! Since the fibers cannot bind nutrients or water (like peat
|
|
media can), all nutrients and wate r contained within the fibers are
|
|
available to the plant. pH is also controlled by the irrigation water
|
|
and may be easily changed.
|
|
|
|
The basis of the nutrient solution used in a rockwool system begins
|
|
with the chemical composition of the existing irrigation water. Once
|
|
the original water has been analyzed, fertilizer rates and pH additives
|
|
are determined. A complete water breakdown ( specific levels of
|
|
chemicals) is necessary to make these determinations. Because the
|
|
existing irrigation water forms the basis of the ultimate nutrient/pH
|
|
solution, any changes in water quality during the crop cycle may
|
|
require nutrient and pH adjustment s. Contact your local agricultural
|
|
extension agency and they will inform you where to send your water to
|
|
get it tested. They are familiar with the water in your area and will
|
|
give advice if there are any specific problems. Testing is a must if
|
|
you are taking water from a well.
|
|
|
|
It is recommended that you keep a daily record of your growing
|
|
environment, including the nutrient solution quality, for your first
|
|
crop using the rockwool system. Monitor the air temperature, humidity
|
|
and carbon dioxide levels. In the nutrient solution , monitor
|
|
temperature, pH, dissolved salts and fluid depletion levels. This will
|
|
give you a "feel" for the needs of your plants and will enable you to
|
|
optimize conditions. An inert media cannot buffer a growing mistake -
|
|
errors will be magnified and wil l appear much sooner than they would
|
|
if the crop were grown in peat or soil; growing in rockwool is much
|
|
more precise.
|
|
|
|
High temperatures during the manufacturing process make rockwool
|
|
disease, weed and insect free. The process also creates a
|
|
non-degradable, long-lasting media. Barring disease problems, rockwool
|
|
can be used for several successive crops. However, residua l roots
|
|
from the previous crops decompose and can harbor pathogens. In
|
|
commercial vegetable production, rockwool is usually discarded or steam
|
|
sterilized after two or three uses.
|
|
|
|
The key to growing record yields in rockwool is a matter of combining
|
|
its remarkable areation and nutrient holding capabilities with the
|
|
proper nutrients, temperature, lighting and CO2 levels to obtain the
|
|
ultimate growing environment for the crop.
|
|
|
|
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ROCKWOOL USE:
|
|
|
|
Prepare rockwool by thoroughly soaking it to capacity with the proper
|
|
nutrient solution. Always apply nutrients to the rockwool before
|
|
handling the product. If handling rockwool in a dry state, and working
|
|
in confined spaces, use a nuisance mask. (Thes e cautions should also
|
|
be applied to perlite and vermiculite horticultural products.) Keep
|
|
the rockwool growing medium moist - do not let the media dry out! The
|
|
soluble salt levels will be thrown out of balance if the moisture
|
|
levels in rockwool are too low. A good rule of thumb is to keep the
|
|
rockwool wet enough that nutrients will squeeze out easily. Irrigate
|
|
20% to 30% more than needed to leach out excess soluble salts. If
|
|
using a floor or capillary type irrigation system; the medium should be
|
|
tho roughly leached every two weeks - or sooner if salt build-up
|
|
appears to be causing problems with growth.
|
|
|
|
Soluble salts should be measured after the nutrient solution is added
|
|
to the rockwool media. The propagation stage should be maintained
|
|
within the range of 450 to 650 P.P.M. (Parts Per Million) and the
|
|
growth stage should be kept between 1100 to 1425 P.P .M.. The
|
|
flowering (or fruit production) stage of plant growth requires that
|
|
enough nutrients will be available at the onset to produce maximum
|
|
yields. Soluble salt levels should be between 1175 to 1300 P.P.M. at
|
|
the start of the bloom stage, tapering o ff on the concentration of the
|
|
nutrient solution gradually (over a few weeks) to a level of 975 P.P.M.
|
|
at the end of the flowering period.
|
|
|
|
The pH levels of the nutrient solution should be maintained at 5.3 to
|
|
5.7 pH in the reservoir. When applied to the rockwool the pH will
|
|
raise to the range of 6.0 to 6.5, which is the ideal level for plant
|
|
growth throughout the cycle.
|
|
|
|
Temperatures need to be monitored in several different places to
|
|
accurately determine what is happening in the growing environment.
|
|
Rockwool and air temperatures need to be in the 60 to 85 degree F
|
|
range, with the lower temperature at night (dark cycle).
|
|
|
|
If carbon dioxide and light levels are high; temperatures can be
|
|
increased to 85 degrees F during the day with a ten degree drop in
|
|
temperature at night. These are guidelines and specifics will depend
|
|
mainly on the type of crop. Temperatures for plant propagation are
|
|
generally maintained in the 70 to 75 degree F range until rooted.
|
|
Seedlings are very specific and should be treated accordingly.
|
|
Marijuana seedlings do well at temperatures from 75 to 85 degrees F.
|
|
|
|
Containers for rockwool can be of almost any size or shape. A good
|
|
container for loose rockwool is the new root pruning pots in the one
|
|
gallon round or the three gallon square sizes. Rockwool slabs come
|
|
wrapped in plastic and can be used as is. After r ooting the seedlings
|
|
in a small cube, cut out a square of plastic the same size as the cube
|
|
and place the seedling on that spot. Its roots will grow down into the
|
|
slab. A slab 3 feet long will support 3 or 4 mature clones (plants
|
|
started from cuttings).
|
|
|
|
Horticultural tools to assist you in adequately monitoring your
|
|
hydroponic garden include a good pH meter (or paper strips), PPM gauge
|
|
(E.C. meter or dissolved salts meter), light meter, microscope or a
|
|
hand magnifying lens and a quality sprayer.
|
|
|
|
When applying insecticides and fungicides directly to the rockwool, cut
|
|
down the rate to 15% - 20% because of the lack of buffer activity (no
|
|
interaction with applied chemicals).
|
|
|
|
For hydroponic nutrients, a good hydroponic GROW and BLOOM formulation
|
|
is recommended. Use these formulas at 1/2 strength for the propagation
|
|
and seedling stages of growth and the full strength nutrient solution
|
|
during the growth and bloom stages.
|
|
|
|
The following is a list of suppliers of rockwool, and many also carry a
|
|
full line of indoor horticultural products, including metal halide and
|
|
high pressure sodium light systems, hydroponic systems, CO2 injector
|
|
systems, vent fans, nutrient supplies, time rs, etc. Beware of some
|
|
companies you may see advertised in magazines such as High Times.
|
|
Although most are reliable firms, there have been some cases of DEA and
|
|
law-enforcement agencies putting ads for phony mail-order supply
|
|
houses, and after getting your address, they set up surveillance of
|
|
you! A good rule of thumb is to note how long they have been in
|
|
business (ads are expensive and most law enforcement agencies do not
|
|
continue these sting operations forever). The firms listed below have
|
|
supplied my friends and I for a number of years and are legitimate.
|
|
|
|
SUPPLIERS:
|
|
|
|
Hydrofarm West
|
|
3135 Kerner Blvd.
|
|
San Rafael, CA 94901
|
|
(800) 634-9999 or (415) 459-7898
|
|
|
|
Berkeley Indoor Garden Center
|
|
844 University Ave.
|
|
Berkeley, CA 94710
|
|
(800)523-1367 or in Calif (415)549-2918
|
|
|
|
Hamilton Technology Corp.
|
|
14902 S. Figueroa St.
|
|
Gardena, CA 90248
|
|
(800) 458-7474
|
|
|
|
Energy Savers Unlimited, Inc.
|
|
22138 South Vermont Ave.
|
|
Building C
|
|
Torrance, CA 90502
|
|
(800)421-2994 or (213)328-6732
|
|
|
|
----------------------------------------
|
|
Mail order seeds (discretion assured)- BEST QUALITY from:
|
|
|
|
Seed Bank
|
|
Postbus 5, 65762A
|
|
OOY (UBB), Netherlands
|
|
(catalog free, shipped from within the U.S., so no customs search)
|
|
|
|
SSSC (Super Sativa Seed Club)
|
|
Postbus 1942
|
|
1000 BX
|
|
Amsterdam, Holland
|
|
(catalog $5, cash only - very informative also, shipped domestically as well)
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUGGESTED READING:
|
|
|
|
Marijuana Growers Handbook: Indoor/Greenhouse Edition by
|
|
Ed Rosenthal (1984) 251 pgs. $16.95
|
|
|
|
Indoor Marijuana Horticulture, Revised Edition by
|
|
Jorge Cervantes
|
|
|
|
Marijuana Botany by
|
|
Robert Connell Clarke (220 pgs, $12.95)
|
|
|
|
These books are available in most Tower Book stores, but
|
|
if not, can be ordered from:
|
|
Quick Trading Company
|
|
P.O. Box 477
|
|
San Francisco, CA 94101
|
|
(800)428-7824 x 102
|
|
|
|
|
|
X-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-X
|
|
Another file downloaded from: The NIRVANAnet(tm) Seven
|
|
|
|
& the Temple of the Screaming Electron Taipan Enigma 510/935-5845
|
|
Burn This Flag Zardoz 408/363-9766
|
|
realitycheck Poindexter Fortran 510/527-1662
|
|
Lies Unlimited Mick Freen 801/278-2699
|
|
The New Dork Sublime Biffnix 415/864-DORK
|
|
The Shrine Rif Raf 206/794-6674
|
|
Planet Mirth Simon Jester 510/786-6560
|
|
|
|
"Raw Data for Raw Nerves"
|
|
X-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-X
|