I use rockwool in a commercial greenhouse and the Rockwool we get is spun from molten balsalt rock.  It is very itchy if you get some all over you, however it's rarely dusty, we also have it in plastic sleves when we get, some people steam it for 12 hours and re seleve it, it retains more moisture the more times you use and steam it.  How it is different from the insulation, as far as I know the difference is how the fibres are arranged, wetting agent and material to make it.

Do you put the cutting in parallel to the fibers or perpendicular?

I just stuck some last night, 1 VdB, 1 Black Maderia, 1 RdB and 2 Marseilles Black vs.  I am hoping to see the same results. 

These rockwool plugs have a pre drilled hole which makes sticking small cuttings easy.

That is impressive!  Every rooting hormone that I try to purchase reads "not for feed" and "not for food", so, what hormone do you use for your 'food', hence the figs...  

Few more tips for higher success.
-if mold or fungus is a problem, use humidity domes
-maintain high 82-85 degree F, or use heating pad
-when rockwool cubes dehydrate, saturate with water mixed with rooting hormone, its SUPER important not to let cubes dry out, the alcohol in the rooting hormone works as a disinfectant
-use 3x3 to 5x5 inch rockwool for bigger limbs

Howie, I am going to try this so thanks for posting it.  Here's a couple questions:

- I'm trying to picture what supportive structure the moist rockwool + cutting is in during the rooting process.  I was imagining putting the cutting/rockwool in a cup with a plastic bag "tent" over it to keep the humidity up.  Does this sound reasonable?

- Have you tried this with dormant cuttings?

- is 82-85 degrees really required?  How about 70-75 degrees which is much easier to achieve?

- How long do you soak the cutting in the diluted rooting hormone solution before putting the cutting in the rockwool?

Rewton,

The cup with a humidity dome is perfect, just make sure the rockwool cube doesn't dry out. You also don't want the rockwool super drenched. Make sure to dunk the rockwool into fresh diluted rooting solution about once a week. The acid in the rooting hormone works as an antibacterial/disinfectant.
 
I've tried it with dormant cuttings.

I've noticed faster root development at higher temps, I'm sure it'll work at lower temps too.

I've soaked for 1 to 12 hours.

Make sure rockwool is big enough. If you have a 6 inch cutting. Use a 5x5 rockwool cube. You can put 4, 6 inch cutting into 1 5x5 rockwool cube, just insert one cutting in each corner of the rockwool cube, and cut the cube into 4 pieces.

I stopped in one of our local Hydroponic stores and picked up a sheet of Rockwool Plugs for $15.00 I soaked the cuttings and the Rockwool in rooting hormone .inserted the cuttings and placed them on top of a damp sponge. They are now resting comfortably  in a 32oz. cup W/lid. 

Howie,

Thanks for posting. Could you please post a picture or info of the cuttings progress and growth.

Thanks

Cody, that looks like a good set-up.

Steve

I started 4 cuttings of Genoa on the 4th of October and 4 cuttings each of Ficazzana (Thank You Eden13)and Conadria on the 9th . The Genoa has no visible roots , but lots of tip growth. The Conadria is putting out roots .and visible initials on the Ficazzana. Its been exactly 10 days 

Does the rooting hormone lower the pH of the water the Rockwool is soaked in?  I normally soak my Sphagnum Moss in a weak liquid humate solution.  I was planning on doing the same with the next batch of Rockwool.

UPDATE on my Rockwool experiment : 10 of the 12 small cuttings were transplanted 2 weeks ago into 4 OZ. cups .Two of the Genoa didn't make it . this is my GO-TO for small cuttings from now on .

Hey dawgdrvr.

I have to thank you for re-starting this thread. I hadn't seen this at all until today. I haven't read the entire thread because I couldn't stop laughing once I got to post #20. Thank you cecil and nochole!!

No better way to start the day than with a good laugh.

Actually I thought rockwool just came from really old, retired sheep. Poor things ;) . 

Oh yea, using the rockwool to start cuttings....that's pretty good too.- he he.

There's a huge English Brown Turkey fig tree not far from me.  I'm gonna get a bunch of cuttings from it and test out my tray of Rock wool.  I've talked to several nurseries this year from NC to Texas asking them how they start their fig cuttings.  Most told me they use rock wool with bottom heat between 70 and 73 degrees.  So, come January 5th, I will test this method with a bottom heat mat at 73 degrees and a clear dome lid.

Thanks Howie I am going to give it a try, I checked Amazon, they do Have it. Chec the link

http://www.amazon.com/Grodan-Rockwool-Cubes-Inches-Pack/dp/B0002IU8UW

Mark

I just wish that stuff was less expensive.  Perlite and cups seems to cost about one twentieth as much, if you buy any serious quantity of either.

Mike

   I'm going to give it a try. 95% success rate with very quick rooting is what got my attention. Purchased a bag of 45 rockwool cubes(1.5"x1.5"x1.5") for $4.72 (+ shipping, eg. more than the cost of the cubes).
  Then a 2oz. bottle of Dip 'N Grow rooting hormone for $11.80 + shipping.  I already have the deli cups and a brand new "yellow" sponge to put in the bottom of the cup, and I'm ready to go.  Will give an update as soon as I get the project started (eg. as soon as the products come in the mail).

I had never used Dip and Grow until it was posted here, so I thought I would give it a try. Most cuttings that I had done prior to using Dip and Grow had callus and root initials within 3 weeks. Thanks.

Pictures taken today of the cuttings and their progress. the procedure was as follows.
1. Score cuttings with knife (scrape off bark 1/8 inch wide approximately 1 inch long at 3 places between the lowest 2 nodes, think potato peeler)
2. Brush on Dip and Grow at 10X mix.
3. Place in Zip lock Bag with moist Sphagnum Moss (wrung Completely dry, no visible moisture). Inflate and store at 76 Deg F.
4. After Callus and initials formation in 8 days potted to 16 Oz Cups 70% Perlite /10% Vermiculite / 20% MG Seed Starting Mix. Place in Rooting Zip lock Bag, Inflate and store at 76 Deg. F.
5.Take Pictures at 20 days for progress report.

I think rockwool is mainly used in hydroponics if im not mistaken.

Link in post #11

Mike,
    Got the bag of 45 cubes on amazon about 5 days ago ( 4.72 + 6.20 postage = 10.92 Total). I went on this morning to check and there now up to 12.75 + postage.  Maybe the mad rush from the Forum pushed up the price :))

Howie,
Could you please update us on the cutting pictured in the opening post (post #1). Did it survive, is it still growing?
Thanks.

<Edit> Howie, ... Thanks for the prompt reply.