Re: Oasis vs. Rock Wool

[robert schuler <sunnfarm@bellatlantic.net>]

Marty Reichenberger wrote:
> 
> We currently root all of our poinsettias and geraniums in the Oasis
> Wedge and have very good results.  The only problem, especially in the
> summer, is being able to re-wet the medium.  If it dries out what so
> ever, you have to POUR water to it in order to wet it up again.  A
> neighbor down the road uses Rock Wool to root his points, and he showed
> me just how easily it was to re-wet.  My question is are there any
> benefits to staying with the Oasis?  I once heard that it was hard to
> get cuttings to root out into the soil when using Rock Wool......truth
> or a myth???  Any past experiences and suggestions would be
> appreciated!!!!
> 
> Marty Reichenberger
> Green Thumb Greenhouse
> Independence, KS
Hello Marty, I root all my points in oasis rootcubes, not the wedge and
I always get almost 100% rooted cuttings so Im not going to change to
rockwool but I always presoak the plants in a plactic tub before potting
to avoid drying out after potting ,but then comes the hard part, having
to keep the pots dangerously over soaked for two weeks until I get the
roots into the mix, I grow mostly 10" 4 plants per pot and so far I have
lost only 3 plants,I also found that if I root into plain peat lite mix
in 50 cell TLC trays with 30 cuttings per tray I get 10% loss but much
better rooted plants that hold longer and repot easily...
Robert Schuler
Sunny Meadow Farm
Bridgeton, NJ.