A question for ebb and flow table users

[Mist]

I just setup a second tent with a 2x4 ebb and flow table to use for prevegging my clones before they go into the Ebb&Gro system. I am using 4x4x3 Grodan blocks for my medium so that there won't be any impediance to root grown once they are transfered.
So now I am at 3 days since the rooted clones were placed into the ebb and flow system and roots are starting to pop out of the bottom of the blocks. This greatly pleases me, but now I am wondering if they are going to air prune because there is nothing there but the bottom of the tray. I didn't want to use a mat in the bottom of the tray because I foresaw there being a problem with removing the roots for transfer to the Ebb&Gro system.
So should I add a layer of hydroton to the bottom of the flood table so that the roots have a moist dark place to inhabit until I transfer them?

 

[rmccinc719]

you can leave them the way they are. the air will prune them with no problems just transplant when your ready. we grow fron start to finish in just grdans in our flood and drains averaging a zip+ per plant at 5 day's veg.

 

[sammyz2646]

Hey MIST, just checked out your pruning tutorial and I will give you props for sure. Simple common knowledge overlooked (along with laziness), can be a huge loss. What a difference proper maintenance and pruning can make. I have used this method for years taught to me by a older experienced grower. I am new to this site, so once I figure out how to do the photo thing, I look forward to sharing some great pics too

 

[Mist]

you can leave them the way they are. the air will prune them with no problems just transplant when your ready. we grow fron start to finish in just grdans in our flood and drains averaging a zip+ per plant at 5 day's veg.

Well that is just it, I don't want the roots to be air pruned. I want the roots to be long and lush when I move them over to the ebb&Gro system to be buried in hydroton.

 

[rmccinc719]

i only say this because thats what i do. as soon as i see roots in my 4x4 grodans i transplant into the ebb&grow buckets. once there in the buckets they go nuts. I get roots to the botton of the buckets in one week. where i think if you put hydroton in the bottom og the tray it will take longer to achieve the same results. plus the mess hydroton makes in the tray just sucks. it leads to a huge amout of cleaning and stains everything unless your using black tray's. i actually used to grow from start to finish in a flood and drain filled with hydroton with lots of great results and huge massis of roots the cleanup was just to much for my liking. good luck with your grow and let us know how it go's.

 

[mcribbz]

I was worried about the same thing so I did add the hydroton to the bottom and I added panda plastic so the light would not hit the hydroton or roots. Kinda like the pic but smaller for the veg room.