Hydroponic Grow Media

Types of Hydroponic Grow Media-

 

Debating on which hydroponic grow media to use in your commercial crop production facility, greenhouse, or indoor farm? Stonewool, coco coir, grow stones, or other type of hydroponic grow media? For large-scale grow operations, sometimes a personal preference is simply not cost-effective and the substrate may need to be upgraded to keep up with the times and rising costs. These days, one of the most popular types of grow media that is being used by commercial and industrial cultivators is in fact stonewool grow media. The reasons: ease of use, efficiency, cost savings.

Popular Types of Hydroponic Grow Media for Commercial and Industrial Operations

Stonewool Grow Media- stonewool over the years has gained in popularity among large scale growers for a number of reasons.Depending on the source of raw materials and how the grow media products are manufactured will largely play into how well the product performs. With manufacturers that have to at least comply with regulations, a commercial grower could expect at least the stonewool grow media product to be inert, sterile, and free from any harmful toxins or chemicals. 

Manufacturers such as RedRock Block for example utilize locally sourced raw materials when manufacturing the stonewool grow media products at a regulated plant in North America. RedRock Block also offers commercial and industrial growers a complete line of stonewool grow media products which provides a “one-source” grow media that can be used from seed to harvest. Seed starter plugs, starter trays, starter blocks, multi-size grow blocks, solo slabs and mini solo slabs, and multi-flower grow slabs are all available in bulk at RedRock Block.

Coconut Coir Grow Media-
Coco coir is another very common grow media that commercial and industrial growers prefer to use in their grow operations. Coco coir is made from the husk of coconuts. This type of grow media is completely all natural in most cases, yet sometimes has to be rinsed/washed, and treated due to a high level of salt or an abnormal pH level. Once again, the source of raw materials and manufacturing processes all contribute to the quality of the product.

Grow Stones-
Another popular grow media are clay pebbles or grow stones. These small pebble like grow media is commonly made out of clay or other type of mineral(s). Grow stones and clay pebbles are a great choice for hydroponic grow media, with one of the biggest issues being the actual cost of the product itself. As grow stones and clay pebbles are typically more expensive than stonewool or coco coir, it is less likely to be used at most large-scale cultivation facilities.

Other Types of Grow Media-
Some other types of hydroponic grow media could include perlite, vermiculite, peat moss, custom grow media blends, prepped polystyrene cubes, etc. 

In need of a “rock-solid” supply of high-quality, yet affordable stonewool grow media? Shop RedRock Block’s extensive line of premium and professional grade stonewool grow plugs and mini cubes, stonewool starter blocks, stonewool grow blocks, stonewool grow slabs, and flowering slabs.https://www.redrockblock.com/shop/

About RedRock Block- 

Commercial Grade Stonewool Grow Media- Grow Plugs and Cubes, Stonewool Starter Blocks, Stonewool Grow Blocks, Stonewool Grow Slabs, and Flowering Slabs. The commercial cultivator’s choice for high quality, locally sourced and manufactured stone wool grow media and propagation substrate fit for any grow operation!
Call- 1-310-967-2025
https://redrockblock.com

Video: RedRock Block Pro Stonewool Grow Media

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6 Inch Grow Blocks

6x6x6 Grow Blocks

Grow Blocks-

As in the construction industry, the horticulture industries also offer standard sizes or modular and non-modular sized options for a number of products and systems, with grow media being one of those products. Grow media that comes in block form usually refers to stonewool grow media or coco coir grow media.

These types of grow media both come in modular and non modular sizes for use in multiple types of applications. Some of the most common sizes of grow media would be as starter plugs and starter cubes. Starter media usually comes in either loose form, starter trays, or small starter cubes. An example of other standard sizes for larger grow blocks could be 4”x4”x4” grow blocks, 6"x6"x4" grow blocks, 6”x6”x5.3”, 6”x6”x6” , 8”x8”x8”.

The next larger sizes of grow media could be considered as grow slabs in 8”x12”x4”, 8”x12”x6”, 36”x12”x6”, etc.

Once again, there are many different types and sizes of grow media. The above examples are some of the most common sizes utilized in most commercial and industrial grow operations.

6x6x6 Grow Blocks-

One of the most common sizes of grow blocks is the 6”x6”x6” grow block. This size works for a lot of different types of plants and applications, everything from flowers to small shrubs and trees, a 6 inch by 6 inch grow block is fairly universal in terms of being able to grow many types of plants. Some 6” grow blocks also come pre-manufactured with holes for either starter plugs or small starter cubes to fit directly into when it comes time to transplant into a larger grow media product.

Types of 6 inch Grow Blocks-

Similar to other sizes of grow blocks and starter grow blocks, 6 inch grow blocks also come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and designs. Two of the most common types of 6 inch grow blocks are stonewool grow blocks and coco coir blocks or coco coir bags. Stonewool grow blocks typically come in a solid form wrapped in UV protection, and are either solid, have a round precut hole, or have a square precut hole on the top of the grow block to accept smaller grow blocks and starter cubes. Coco Coir in most cases comes in solid form wrapped in UV protection film, or in a loose fill UV protected grow bag.

Wholesale 6x6x6 Grow Blocks-

Commercial and industrial size growers that are looking for some of the highest quality 6 inch grow blocks from a manufacturer that also offers a complete line of precut grow blocks, starter cubes, starter blocks, and grow slabs, should check out RedRock Block’s selection of stonewool grow media.

Completely sourced and manufactured in North America to the highest of standards, RedRock Block’s premium line of stonewool grow media offers some of the cleanest, purest, and highest quality stonewool grow media available worldwide.

In need of “rock-solid” sourcing of wholesale stonewool grow media? Call- 1-310-967-2025 for pricing or visit- https://www.redrockblock.com/shop/
 

About RedRock Block- 

Commercial Grade Stonewool Grow Media-  Grow Plugs and Cubes, Stonewool Starter Blocks, Stonewool Grow Blocks, Stonewool Grow Slabs, and Flowering Slabs. The commercial cultivator’s choice for high quality, locally sourced and manufactured stone wool grow media and propagation substrate fit for any grow operation! https://redrockblock.com

Call- 1-310-967-2025

How to Grow Marijuana & Hemp in Stonewool

Stonewool and Marijuana: A Magical Combination

Stonewool has its origins in the construction industry with its excellent properties as an insulator. However, curiosity mounted in the late 1960’s on its abilities to be used in the horticulture industry as a growing medium. After extensive testing and data collection, it was found with some modification to be an excellent growing media for a wide range of plants. This material is the direct result of melting basaltic rock and spinning it into thin, yet strong fibers into various shapes ideal for growing plants. Ever since then, the use of this material has certainly taken off and is one of the most popular growing media in the commercial horticulture industry.

Stonewool Production-

This media is very hardy and can last for several growing seasons. With this much hardiness, one may think that the creation of the media is complex. This is far from the truth as this material is the result of melting rock down. Once molten , the rock is cooled as it is spun into thin fibers. These fibers can then be shaped and pressed into the needed shapes for growing plants. The process is relatively simple. Although this is a man made substrate, the material is often regarded as a natural product as it originally came from molten rock.    

Using Stonewool for Hemp and Marijuana Production-

Stonewool has been the growing media of choice for hydroponic growers for decades. Ever since the beginning this growing medium has been excellent for use with all sorts of plants. It is because of this that the use of stonewool and marijuana became a very natural segway.  The overall modular nature of stonewool is that the root systems never have to be disturbed as each smaller cube can be easily placed into a larger stonewool grow cube to give larger growing area for roots as the plant matures and develops.

General Preparation-

Before use in the growing of marijuana or hemp, the stonewool needs to be prepared and stabilized. The growing media, because it comes from rock origins, the pH of the material is a neutral of 7.0. This is too alkaline for hemp to grow healthily. When the growing medium is too basic or alkaline, there is poor nutrient uptake, especially for the essential compounds of calcium and magnesium. In order to prepare the stonewool for hemp production, a proper soak in water for a full 24 hours in a nutrient solution to correct the pH to 4.5 and with an EC of 0.4-0.5. In order to ensure the grow media is the correct pH and EC, drenching the media in a 5.5 pH nutrient solution and testing the runoff.

Germination and Beginning Growth

Germinating seeds and growing from cuttings and clones can be very stressful for a plant and is a crucial point where the essential parts of a plant must establish themselves. It is important to have in place the proper growing media to start plants off on the right root. Smaller stonewool blocks are excellent for getting started especially for a grower new to hydroponics. This media allows for new seedlings and clones to readily root quickly and efficiently in a sanitary environment that can both support the plant at its current stage of life and beyond. Once the seeds have germinated where the clones or cuttings have become rooted then a grower can make the transition to larger blocks or slabs. This can be easily done by placing the cube into a pre-cut space on a larger slab or block. A grower can also customize the growing space for larger plants such as marijuana or hemp by getting grow slabs that are not pre-cut and cutting the holes themselves.

Established Growth and Mature Life Stages-

Once the plants have become mature and are more advanced in their life stages, the root system still needs room to grow. In order to support a larger more mature plant, they will need to be transplanted into larger cubes or slabs. With Stonewall, transplanting is very simple and easy to do. The smaller blocks or cubes can be placed into larger blocks and cubes in pre-cut spaces. Once these are placed into either a pre-cut slot or one that is cut customized to the plant's needs, the roots are able to grow out of the stonewool material into the new stonewool grow block or slab. The true benefit of using stonewool is the ability to easily upgrade a plant's growing space. This can be done without the stress of traditional transplanting as the roots are not disturbed. This contributes to plants that are less stressed and do not become stunted.

Stonewool is an excellent growing media for use in hydroponic systems as well as for the ever growing industry of hemp and marijuana production. As this industry grows, the need for support and better growing environments is a must. With the many benefits of Stonewool, the choice may be a simple one for many growers. For more information as well as suggestions for the specific growing operation, be sure to reach out to RedRock Block for guidance, recommendations, and pricing. Call- 1-310-967-2025

Visit- https://www.redrockblock.com/shop/

About RedRock Block-

Commercial Grade Stonewool Grow Media-  Stonewool Grow Plugs, and Stonewool Cubes, Stonewool Starter Blocks, Stonewool Grow Blocks, Stonewool Grow Slabs, and Flowering Slabs. The commercial cultivator’s choice for high quality, locally sourced and manufactured stone wool grow media and propagation substrate fit for any grow operation!

Call- 1-310-967-2025

RedRockBlock.com

 

 

 

 

Stonewool Grow Blocks by RedRock Blocks

Why RedRock Block Commercial Grade Stonewool Grow Media?

Premium Stonewool Grow Plugs and Cubes, Stonewool Starter Blocks, Stonewool Grow Blocks, Stonewool Grow Slabs, and Flowering Slabs. The commercial cultivator’s choice for high quality, locally sourced and manufactured stone wool grow media and propagation substrate fit for any grow operation!
Call- 1-310-967-2025

https://RedRockBlock.com 



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What are the different types of growing media?

Types of Grow Media

Stonewool - Coco Coir - Perlite - Vermiculite - Peat Moss - Grow Stones -Soil

- Stone wool - rock wool - mineral wool -

One of the most popular types of grow media is stonewool. Also known as mineral wool, rock stone wool is one of the best soil-less grow mediums a commercial grower can use as it is made from natural materials, typically does not contain impurities, offers excellent root zone aeration properties, and provides a perfectly balanced uptake of water and plant nutrients. As such, stonewool grow media is one of the most common types of grow media used in commercial greenhouses, indoor farms, and hydroponic operations.

Stonewool grow media comes in a wide range of shapes and sizes, such as- Grow Plugs and Cubes, Starter Blocks, Grow Blocks, Grow Slabs, and Multi-Flowering Slabs.

Check out the list below of other common types of grow media, mixes, and blends -

 

Coconut coir-

Coco coir is another popular type of grow media that is manufactured from shredded coconut husks. Coco coir is another common choice for commercial growers. This type of grow media  offers excellent absorption properties and can sometimes be reused or recycled.Coco coir grow media products typically come in the form of coco coir grow blocks, coco coir plugs, coco coir grow bags, loose coco coir chips, coco coir grow mats, and different types of coco coir potting mix blends.

Coir and Perlite blends:

Perlite coco coir mix- There are many growers that like to use loose coco coir blends, especially within hydroponics systems, that will add perlite to their mix to improve drainage properties with the commercial  hydro system. Typically, coco coir and perlite blended products contain different levels of coco coir with added perlite for enhanced drainage within soil and soil-less based grow operations.

Peat Moss Blends: Peat moss offers a unique ability to retain plant nutrients. As such, growers and farmers have been adding peat moss to soils and other grow media to assist with providing a nutrient-rich grow environment for plants and crops.

Perlite: By blending perlite into soils and other grow media, a grower can increase the drainage properties of their entire grow operation. Perlite does not absorb water and is used in both soil and soil-less grow operations to assist with aeration and drainage processes. Perlite can also be used as a stand alone grow media in different types of hydroponic systems for plants in early grow cycle stages.

Vermiculite- Vermiculite is another natural mineral that absorbs water and can expand when exposed to heat. Vermiculite is commonly mixed into soils as a soil amendment.

Soil & Potting Soil: Organic potting soil is the closest grow medium when compared to a plant being grown out in the natural world. Natural potting soils are typically nutrient rich, extremely absorbent, and much easier to use compared to hydroponic grow media.

Clay Pebbles, Grow Stones, and Other Growing Media- Clay pebbles and grow stones are some of the best options in terms of grow media. This type of hydroponic media is created from mineral deposits which offer excellent drainage and aeration properties when compared to other types of grow media. As clay pebbles and grow stones are a type of loose-fill grow media, they are perfect for easily transplanting plants and crops, and can assist with additional pest protection in your grow operation. Clay pebbles and grow stones are usually a bit more pricey when compared to the pricing of other types of grow media, however, this type of grow media can in most cases be re-used and not thrown out after one grow cycle.

Expanded Polystyrene- Polystyrene is another fairly common type of grow media. It is a bi-product made from polystyrene manufacturing processes. Polystyrene is perfect for increasing drainage and aeration properties, decreasing densities, and is extremely resilient to breaking down and decomposing.

Grow Media resins and foams- Urea Formaldehydes- This type of grow media is a type of manufactured resin or foam that offers high water retention properties and excellent aeration and drainage characteristics.

Other types of grow media, mixes, and blends- sand, sawdust, bark, bagasse, rice hulls, corn cobs, manure, peanut shells, pecan shells,pumice; cinders, and pea-gravel ...

Do you need wholesale growing media for your growing, farming, or commercial hydroponic operation?

At RedRock block we take great pride in providing growers with some of the highest quality stonewool grow media products. If you have questions about our premium-grade commercial stonewool grow media: Grow Plugs and Cubes, Starter Blocks, Stonewool Grow Blocks, Grow Slabs, and Multi-Flowering Slabs, please call- 1-310-967-2025

Or visit- https://www.redrockblock.com/shop/

About RedRock Block-

Commercial Grade Stonewool Grow Blocks, Grow Cubes, Grow Slabs, and Grow Plugs! The commercial cultivator’s choice for high quality, locally sourced and manufactured stone wool grow media and propagation substrate fit for any grow operation!

Call- 1-310-967-2025
https://redrockblock.com

Welcome to Our New Blog About Stonewool Grow Blocks

Welcome!

 

Welcome to our new blog about stonewool, rock wool, and mineral wool grow blocks, grow plugs, and grow slabs for different types of commercial growers, greenhouse operators, CEA facilities, hydroponic operations, indoor farms, vertical farms, urban farms, and more!

Please stand by as we continue to finish setting up and priming our new blog specifically geared towards large scale and commercial growers.

If you are in need of a rock-solid distributor of North American made, high quality stonewool grow blocks, stonewool grow plugs, stonewool slabs, or stonewool flowering slabs, please contact RedRock Block for bulk pricing.

About RedRock Block-

RedRock Blocks stone wool blocks, slabs, and plugs offer cultivators, propagators, and commercial growers the opportunity to grow more while using less: less water, less plant nutrients, and less growing space.
Call- 1-310-967-2025
https://redrockblock.com