Anyone Use Growstones?

[NeWcS]

For my next grow I'll be using Growstones instead of hydroton. Has anyone used this product and what are your thoughts? http://www.growstone.com/

Thank you!

 

[FreezerBoy]

Grow rocks (Hydroton or others) are used in DWC and E&F to maximize airflow to the roots. According to the chart, Hydroton traps 20% more air and 75% less water making it a far superior substrate than Growstones. Why the change?

 

[NeWcS]

75% less water making it a far superior substrate than Growstones. Why the change?

How is that a good thing? Don't you want a high air AND water holding rate?

To answer the other question; I just like trying new things.

 

[Andyo]

grow stones great for salad

grow stones great for salad

Grow stones are good for salad ,too wet for weed .
Potency comes from drying out of root zone frequently.A

 

[NeWcS]

Grow stones are good for salad ,too wet for weed .
Potency comes from drying out of root zone frequently.A

So what was it you didn't like about them and did you have any die-off contributed to using them?

 

[Smoking Nomad]

i like rockwool. If you have a good watering system w/ a clean environment, a lot of the inconsistancies can be overcome.

 

[NeWcS]

Has anyone who who's used it have any input? Pros/cons?

 

[Andyo]

well

well

So what was it you didn't like about them and did you have any die-off contributed to using them?

Ive used hydroton for 17+ years now .
A uk grow shop gave me grow rocks/grow stones to test 6 or 7 years ago
I been growing 35 yrs under lights .
Just dont dry fast enough imo, others may like them but the trick of getting maximum potencey n health from a plant is flooding just before the plant wilts.
No die off but i did get a touch of like black fungus/mold on some plants roots and less yeild on those.
also mothers in grow stones the cuttings from those where slow rooting due to not drying out.
Lol try cleaning the roots off 1000 ltrs of grow stones ready for next crop.A

 

[FreezerBoy]

How is that a good thing? Don't you want a high air AND water holding rate?

To answer the other question; I just like trying new things.

More than air and water it's important to have fresh air and water. By holding less air and more water growstones have less of both that's fresh. The chart proves growstones to be a vastly inferior product. Honest but, vastly inferior.

 

[NeWcS]

The chart proves growstones to be a vastly inferior product.

I guess what confuses me is why would a company put a chart on their website showing that their product is a 'vastly inferior product'?

Thank you for the input!

 

[supersmallgiant]

I guess what confuses me is why would a company put a chart on their website showing that their product is a 'vastly inferior product'?

Thank you for the input!

Because most people have no clue what traits are really most desirable. I think the far majority of uneducated growers don't realize how important air is to the roots. Simply having a chart makes the product look high tech if you don't know any better.

 

[Andyo]

Because most people have no clue what traits are really most desirable. I think the far majority of uneducated growers don't realize how important air is to the roots. Simply having a chart makes the product look high tech if you don't know any better.

rofl maybe the company that sells them doesnt realise either .A

 

[olddirtybastard]

Ive used rockwool, hydroton, perlite etc....switched to no media, just bare roots a couple years ago and im NEVER going back!!


Fuck cleaning hydroton, ive had a little clay ball stuck in my garbage disposal for years, im too lazy to take the whole thing apart to get at it.

 

[Scottish Research]

Ive used rockwool, hydroton, perlite etc....switched to no media, just bare roots a couple years ago and im NEVER going back!!


Fuck cleaning hydroton, ive had a little clay ball stuck in my garbage disposal for years, im too lazy to take the whole thing apart to get at it.

How are you anchoring your roots? Are you just using poly foam or neoprene?

Thanks!

 

[FreezerBoy]

Neoprene is fine for clones but, a plant of any size will require some sort of external support such as a trellis or screen.

 

[Scottish Research]

Hi Freezerboy!

You're right.

I've got 8 inch net pot bucket lids (difficult to get on the bucket) and I picked up a couple of bags of hydroton. I'm in the process of building my first hydro system.

 

[Carboy]

Has anyone who who's used it have any input? Pros/cons?

Used in the proper situation, Growstones is an excellent product.
Can't imagine using only this material the way you would a hydroton. Stuff is too light and will float. There are 2 sizes -- one of them is about the size most gravel, the other like small rocks. Reusable but crushes easily. More of an amendment to soil mixes or coco. In those apps, it does have an excellent air/water ratio. For hydro, it would be tough to endorse. As alot of things, it depends on context.
Hope that helps ---------CB

 

[NeWcS]

So I am 30 days in 12/12 on my current grow. I have never had more roots or heavier stocks than with growstones. I think I will be sticking with this over hydroton for my future grows.

Just an update from someone who has actually used this product.

 

[maphisto]

i know this is an older thread i just picked up a bag of growstones,how did it work out for you NeWcS?

 

[flyer81]

in my experience, I used grow stones instead of hydroton and my roots just stopped dead at the stones. They did not grow down and out of the top buckets. With hydroton they would grow out and then down into the lower bucket. What I have liked though is using a mix of hydroton and grow stone. It seems to give a sturdier base for larger trees in hydroponics.