This demonstration was carried out by Nutriculture Ltd.
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Setting up an X-stream propagator is extremely easy. Place your tank in position and set up your pump and delivery system as shown in the picture. If you're using a heater set it to maintain a water temperature of around 20 to 21 degrees. |
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Fill the tank with water and run the pump to test. Adjust your ph to 5.5 to 6.5 | |
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Take your cuttings in the usual manner - cleanly cut with a sterile scalpel or sharp knife at a 45? angle. Small cuttings with a small leaf surface area are most likely to succeed. | |
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Wrap your clone collar around the cutting, dip in clonex as usual and position in the net pot. There should be about 1-2cm of stem showing below the clone collar. | |
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As each cutting is taken place it in position in the propagator and replace the lid after each one. | |
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When all the cuttings required are taken ensure the delivery system is running continuously, the lid is on and the vent is closed. | |
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It has been 7 days since we started the cuttings in the Xstream 20 Site Propagator. The delivery system has been running constantly and the heater has been running at 20 degrees C. |
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The first roots are present on most of the cuttings. Transplanting would be possible at this stage, but we would prefer the roots to be a little stronger. | |
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Adding nutrient at this stage encourages further root growth although it is not essential and water will suffice for a bit longer if you prefer.
If adding nutrient use formulex at 1/4 strength.
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3 days later and the roots are starting to grow beyond the net pots. This is the ideal time to transplant into an alternative growing medium such as B'cuzz Coco or Grodan. | |
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Remove the net pot and clone collar from your cuttings, taking care not to damage the roots or stem. It is best to handle the cutting by its leaves.
If you are transplanting into Grodan Cubes pre-soak all rockwool with 1/4 strength formulex nutrient solution at ph 5.8 to 6.2 for 24 hrs prior to transplanting. |
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When using Grodan SBS blocks cut the block in half and sandwich the cutting between the pieces with the roots protruding from the bottom of the block. | |
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Gently push the SBS block into the Cube as usual. | |
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If transplanting into Compost or Coco Fibres do so in a traditional manner in small pots.
nb. Alternatively you can transplant the entire mesh pot and collar into rockwool or pots so long as you have spares to run your propagator with. |
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The cuttings we have transplanted can still be protected under the propagator lid as shown but we are now keeping the vent open to harden them off. | |
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Its four days since our last update and top growth is now obvious in both the cuttings still in the propagator and the transplanted cuttings, and root development has continued. | |
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Just two weeks after taking the cuttings they are now extremely strong and ready for transplanting to your choice of growing system. | |
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The cuttings we transplanted to alternative growing media in the traditional manner are now progressing well and roots are now visible on the outside of all the options which we tried. No other method of propagation ensures as much success at propagating cuttings or preparing them for transplanting. |
Last Updated: May 04, 2009
