Why Stone Wool Comes in Different Sizes and Shapes?
6 October 2022
Choosing the best suitable substrate for cannabis cultivation
Producing sustainable and high-quality cannabis comes down to making the right choices, before, during, and after cultivation. Before cultivation, a considerate step-wise approach is taken in choosing the best equipment to successfully cultivate cannabis. First and foremost this starts with the choice of the most suitable substrate, as the choice of substrate will determine to what degree water and nutrients will be available to the plants, allowing for vigorous growth and healthy development.
The #1 substrate
Stone wool has been for a long time the #1 substrate of choice for growing cannabis and vegetables in high-tech cultivation facilities. In addition, looking at the most productive producers of high-quality cannabis are using stone wool substrates. Experienced growers are aware of the benefits of stone wool substrates, and how these can unlock the full potential of your cultivation facility and the genetics of the grown varieties. Primary advantages of cultivating cannabis in Cultiwool’s stone wool substrate include, but are not limited to – user-friendly characteristics, reduced pest, and disease pressure, direct availability and efficient use of water and nutrients, high water rendition capabilities at low moisture contents, and more. Further information concerning the story, benefits, and unique characteristics of Cultiwool’s stone wool products can be found in these articles.
Therefore, in order to maximize the yield and quality of the plants while minimizing the resource use and inputs, several products stone wool products were designed by the team of Cultiwool. The choice between these products categories should be made based on the crop phase;
Plugs for the propagation of cannabis
In order to create the most suitable conditions for the cuttings to root and develop a healthy rooting zone Cultiwool created the Cannabis Starter Plugs, as seen in the accompanied picture. Several products are available from the Starter Plugs, these slightly vary in size, allowing individual selection of the grower depending on their facility and production requirements. Successful propagation starts with high quality plugs for cloning or sowing. Cultiwool plugs are used for higher consistency, fast rooting throughout the entire plug and tapered bottom for improved air flow around the roots.
Our starter plugs come in different dimensions and packaging units.
Growing Blocks
These blocks, sometimes also known as cubes, are the preferable stone wool products in most of the cannabis cultivation stages; vegetative, flowering, and mother plants. The reason for that is the individual and separated root environment created when using one block per one cannabis plant, helps reduce the risk of infection, and promises equal absorption of water and nutrients between all plants. Each block has the same characteristics for uniform root and plant development. Making sure an even distribution of the WC and EC within the block. This creates easy WC management and root growth throughout the whole block. This allows for efficient use of water and nutrients.
Our growing blocks come in different dimensions and packaging units.
Growing Slabs
Growing Slabs are also available within the Cultiwool stone wool product line in different dimensions and packaging units. They allow for fast uptake of water in a larger substrate volume. This gives a wide control range to apply simple irrigation strategies to your crop. The combination of block and slab is important for easy root penetration into the slabs. The WC and EC are also distributed uniformly resulting in homogenous plant development. Firmness and slab structure guarantees a healthy root zone right until the end of the cultivation cycle. Especially mother plants are grown on slabs for continuous vigour and uniform growth.
Our growing slabs come in different dimensions and packaging units.
Want to know more?
On this website you will find more information on our stone wool substrates and instructions for optimum use! If you have any question, remark, or request, please feel free to contact us here, or via our Facebook and Instagram accounts.
More items
Discussing Substrates, Operations, and More; Interview with GreenLeaf Medical
GreenLeaf Medical started in 2017 and has grown tremendously since then, growing and selling a full range of products to the medicinal market within the USA. Samer Abilmona has been in the cannabis industry for a little over 10 years, but he has cultivated cannabis for the majority of his adult life. He has been the Executive Director of Cultivation and Operation of GreenLeaf Medical since 2019, then the company consisted of one cultivation facility, started to work on the second, had one dispensary in Maryland, and recently received a license in Virginia. Nowadays, the company is a multi-state operator, with facilities in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. The cultivation is tailored to their market leader, smokable flowers. Other products within their range are live resin, live rosin, and distillates for vape cartridges as well as for edibles. About 6 months ago GreenLeaf Medical merged with Columbia Care, now the Cannabist Company, Samer has been managing a few additional cultivation and extraction facilities in West Virginia, two facilities in Washington DC, and a second Virginia location.
Understanding and Mitigating Channeling in Stone Wool Substrate
Stone wool substrate has gained popularity in horticulture due to its excellent water retention and air porosity characteristics, which are essential for healthy plant growth. However, one common issue that growers often encounter when using stone wool is channeling. Channeling refers to the inefficient distribution of water and nutrients within the substrate. In this article, we will explore what channeling is, what typically happens when it occurs, how to identify its signs, and discuss methods to prevent it. We will also delve into why some stone wool products are more prone to channeling than others and explore the role of binders and wetting agents. Finally, we will touch upon the importance of choosing the right irrigation system to avoid channeling.
What is Slag Wool and How does it Differ from High-Quality Horticultural Stone Wool?
As more and more products and companies become available on the market, it is always important to do a little research. Not only on the company itself but how the products are being produced. A little bit of research and asking the right questions can save money and time, but maybe the most important, the crop and your investment.