Growing your own plants from seed to seedling in Rock Wool

The path from seeds to seedlings: The secrets of the tower operators

A fascinating journey that transforms the seeds of a future garden into the seedlings that will be our harvest of tomorrow. But how does this happen? Let's dive in and explore the art of seed growing.

Each tower owner or farm produces their own seedlings from seeds, a task that is carried out with great care and precision. One should also place great importance on quality and sustainability and we therefore recommend that you purchase organic seeds for the cultivation process.

Since each tower owner is responsible for sourcing their own seed, we provide our customers with the contact information of our seed suppliers or in our shop. In addition, we offer comprehensive consulting services to help you select the appropriate seed, the optimal seedling sequence and an efficient planting strategy.

An important aspect of seed growing at Tower Farm is the choice of medium. Tower Farms use either coco coir or rockwool as the planting medium for the seeds.

Rockwool/RockWool as well as organic coconut is our preferred choice as coconut is made from coconut shells.

In comparison, rockwool offers a number of advantages that make it an attractive option for seed growing. Rockwool provides better root aeration, higher sterility, a stable pH environment and precise control over nutrient supply. In addition, rockwool is more cost-effective than coco coir.

What is rock wool?

Rock wool is a type of mineral wool made from shredded rock. It is mainly made from various rocks such as dolomite, basalt, diabase, anorthosite and spar, which are fused at extremely high temperatures to form fibers. These fibers produce a light and soft material that is used in plant cultivation as a substrate and in construction as an insulating material.

Properties of rock wool as a substrate

Rockwool has several properties that make it an ideal substrate for hydroponic systems. Although it has a relatively high pH (7.5 - 8.5), it meets many of the requirements for a perfect hydroponic substrate:

• Sterility: Due to the manufacturing process, stone wool is free of germs and bacteria.
• Water and air capacity: The porous structure of the rock wool enables a high storage of water and air.
• Oxygen exchange: The structure allows a balanced exchange of air and oxygen, which is crucial for root growth.
• Mixability: Unlike many other substrates, stone wool is generally not mixed with other materials because it already has balanced properties.

Rockwool is particularly suitable for growing and germinating plants due to its good water and oxygen ratio and its solid structure, which holds small seeds securely in place. Both hobby growers and commercial operations often use rockwool as a growing substrate for seeds by placing the seeds in or on the moist material.

• Critical review of rock wool

  Despite its benefits, rockwool is viewed with skepticism by some hydroponic gardeners. Some concerns relate to disposal, as it often ends up in the trash after a single use. In addition, there are health concerns, particularly regarding inhalation of microfibers, so it is important to take precautions when handling rockwool and educate yourself on the risks.

Although we prefer rockwool, we respect the decision of each tower owner to choose coco coir, so we encourage everyone to do comparison tests and choose the most suitable option for their farm.

Rockwool is the only substrate suitable for almost any hydroponic system, except aquaponic systems where the fibers can damage the fish's gills. It can be used in drip systems, ebb and flow systems, deep water culture, NFT systems and wick systems.

The art of seed cultivation at Tower Farm is a symbiosis of science and nature. It is a journey of discovery and decisions that ultimately lead to a bountiful harvest that nourishes and inspires our community.

Application of rock wool in hydroponics

Rockwool is well suited for growing and germinating plants in hydroponic systems. It is important to rinse and soak the rockwool thoroughly before use to minimize any potential pH fluctuations. The correct nutrient solution is crucial and both mineral and organic fertilizers suitable for rockwool should be used.

A look behind the scenes of aeroponic cultivation

Growing plants without soil, directly on aeroponic towers, is a fascinating method based on cutting-edge agricultural techniques. Here we take a look behind the scenes and show you how the process works - from preparing the rockwool to labeling the seedlings.

1. Preparation of the rock wool:

The first step when growing in our Future Garden systems such as the aeroponic towers is to prepare the agricultural rockwool. (This is of course available in our shop) This special rockwool is made from basalt, the most common volcanic rock. Soak the rockwool in distilled water for about 20 minutes and rinse it several times to ensure it is completely moistened. This crucial step provides the seeds with the moisture they need to germinate and grow healthily.

When the rockwool is introduced into the hydroponic system and comes into contact with the nutrient solution, it can affect the pH of the solution. To avoid possible fluctuations in pH, it is recommended to either soak the rockwool in a pH regulating solution for 24 hours or to introduce it directly into the hydroponic system (or rinse it well in distilled water as described above) and let the nutrient solution circulate for a few hours.

2. Sowing the seeds – paying attention to the cultivation conditions:

Once the rockwool is completely soaked, it is carefully prepared to receive the seeds. Before you put the seeds in the rockwool, check the seeds to see if they are light germinators or dark germinators. For light germinators (very small seeds) it is important to only work them lightly into the rockwool so that they are only slightly covered. Dark germinators (usually larger seeds) should be worked about 1-2 cm deep and covered with a little substrate vermiculite. Depending on the type of seed, you can sow 1-2 seeds or several seeds in one hole. Carefully place the seeds in each hole of the seed tray.

3. Use of vermiculite:

To ensure optimal germination and healthy seed growth, vermiculite is applied to each hole in the seed tray. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that provides a perfect water-air ratio, creating ideal conditions for seedling growth.

4. Optimal germination conditions: Pay attention to the germination conditions of the seeds, especially the germination temperature. Most seeds germinate well at temperatures between 10 and 20 °C. Salads prefer cooler temperatures below 20 °C, while fruit vegetables prefer germination temperatures between 22 and 25 °C. Sufficient light is essential for the successful germination of light-germinating seeds and the development of strong young plants. In winter and spring, a sunny windowsill is often not enough, so the use of a plant lamp is highly recommended.

5. Marking of seedlings:

Now that the seeds have been sown, the seed tray is carefully labelled. This labelling allows us to easily identify each seedling after germination and ensure accurate monitoring of growth.

6. Reuse the rockwool: Depending on how well the rockwool is rooted and how long you have used it, it can last up to three seasons. After you have used it, you can chop the rockwool up and mix it with other materials such as coco coir or peat moss to reuse it.

By following these steps, you can use rockwool effectively and ensure that your plants have optimal conditions for growth.

Growing your plants on aeroponic towers is not only efficient, but also extremely precise and controlled. By using cutting-edge agricultural techniques such as aeroponics, we can create optimal conditions for plant growth while efficiently using resources such as water and space. Discover the future of plant cultivation with this exciting insight into the world of hydroponic farming!