How to Transplant From Rock Wool to Dirt
Hydroponic gardeners have long been aware of the wonders of rockwool. For dirt gardeners, rockwool helps prevent damping off of seeds and seedlings -- a fungal disease that destroys them. Rockwool is much as it name implies: rock that has been heated to a molten state and spun into fine, wool-like threads and pressed into slabs or cubes. Because there is no soil involved when starting seeds in rockwool, gardeners avoid many of the rot and damping off problems common during germination. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Separate the rockwool slab into individual squares with one seedling in each by cutting it with scissors. Be careful not to cut into the seedlings' roots.
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Dig a planting hole that is 1/8 inch deeper than the rockwool cube. The cube must sit a little deeper in the soil so that the top edge is not exposed above the soil.
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3
Set the rockwool cube into the hole and pack soil around it and the base of the seedling.
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4
Water the area slowly until the soil is damp to a 1 inch below the depth of the planting hole.
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Tips & Warnings
If the rockwool is dry, wear gloves and a dust mask when working with it. Rockwool fibers may be sharp and breathing rockwool dust may irritate your lungs.
