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RECOMMENDED USAGE
This product is specifically designed to house a large plant...
think Ficus tree. But there are many other plants that would thrive
in the largest block of Rockwool on the market today. Most folks
know that “Rockwool RULES” when it comes to wicking up
to 4” in height. But beyond that, Rockwool will retain less
and less moisture. Thank gravity for that. This is why we recommend
that ONLY a well-rooted 3” or 4” Gro-Block be placed on
top – nothing more, nothing less, to ensure the optimum health
of the plant. Click here
to see how different irrigation methods affect water disbursement.
 PREPARATION
Keep in mind that the Rockwool volume of Big Mama is a staggering
512 oz versus Hugo’s 216 oz. So although some have attempted
to use the Big Mama in an Ebb & Flood system - it’s a BAD
IDEA! Drip irrigation is the most effective system for the Big
Mama, but any top watering will work. Placing one dripper stake
into the top block, and a second one into the Big Mama should be
sufficient to maintain proper moisture levels.
- Use a garden hose to completely saturate the blocks
with water.
- Insert two drippers into the block. Fill the tank with pH 5.5
water, and water each block long enough so that the block receives
2.5 gallons of water. This ensures a complete flush of the block.
If you only have a few blocks, skip steps 1 and 2, and simply
use the ½” hose from the pump and hand-water with
pH 5.5 from top down, until completely saturated.
- Discard the drain water. Mix up the same nutrient solution that
you have been using for the plants you are about to transplant
to Big Mama.
- Irrigate until each block has received 2.5 gallons of nutrient
solution.
- Adjust your tank back to pH 5.5.
- Place a 3” or 4” block with well-rooted plant onto
Big Mama. Insert one drip stake into the right side of the plant
the small block and one drip stake into the Big Mama on the left
side of the small block. If the top surface of the Big Mama doesn’t
feel particularly moist, it’s ok. Less surface moisture on
the Rockwool means less algae growth.
- After placing smaller plant on top of Big Mama, minimize initial
watering to encourage root growth from the top block to expand
into the one beneath. But keep an eye on it to make sure the top
block doesn’t become too dry. The best way to achieve this;
place both drip stakes immediately below the small block. Let
the drip stakes stick in under the block. For the first few days
after transplanting; irrigate six short cycles per day.
 BIG
MAMA “NO-NO’S”
- Do not piggy-back one Big Mama on top of another Big Mama -
the top will be too dry, and the roots won’t need that much
space.
- Do not use Big Mama in Ebb/flood systems - the top half will
be too dry.
- Do not place a tiny plant directly into the Big Mama –
it must be well-rooted into a smaller block first so that it’s
mature enough to root into the larger home. You wouldn’t
expect an infant to run a marathon, right? Both need time to develop
first.
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