PROPAGATION

basic steps to successful growing

BASIC STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL PROPAGATION
RAISING OR OBTAINING YOUR PLANTS
For successful transplanting to your hydroponic system you need strong healthy transplants with
abundant white roots on the OUTSIDE of the propagation block. A propagation block comprises any
artificial or soil-less medium in which the transplant is raised from seed or cutting.

ARE MY PLANTS READY?

Both plants shown below are ready for your hydroponic system. If your plants are not at this stage DO
NOT transplant. It is always better to delay transplanting until correct root stage is reached in order to
achieve best results in the end. The reason for this is that if white roots aren’t abundant on the outside
of the propagation block at transplanting to your hydroponic system the block will absorb a large volume
of solution. The roots inside the block will be saturated but with no access to oxygen. As a result they will
die-back and successful introduction to your system will not be possible.

THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT

CONVENTIONAL PROPAGATION BLOCK AEROPONIC PROPAGATION BLOCK

THIS IS WHAT YOU GET

BIG CROP: THE RESULTS YOU CAN EXPECT ROOT MAT: THE DENSE ROOT MAT YOU
FROM YOUR HYDROPONIC SYSTEM CAN EXPECT FROM A NFT SYSTEM

PAGE ONE
 RAISING TRANSPLANTS CONVENTIONALLY FROM SEED
ENSURE YOUR ENVIRONMENT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE PLANTS YOU INTEND TO GROW. THIS IS WHY A PROPAGATOR IS SO CONVENIENT.

A. USING SOILESS COMPOST

Germinate seed in a seed tray of compost. When
seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant
to a suitable size round plastic pot with drainage
holes. (2.5”/3”(75mm) for tomatoes (1.25”
(35/40mm) for lettuce.

Alternatively germinate seed directly in the correct

sized pot.

Water as necessary. If your compost contains

nutrient (see label) use water only. If your compost
does not contain nutrient use a complete
hydroponic nutrient at half strength. If necessary
adjust pH in the watering can.
Your plants are ready to be transplanted to your
hydroponic system when you can remove the pot
and the compost remains bound by the abundant
white roots of your transplants.

B. USING ARTIFICIAL COMPOST

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The leading brand in this category is and

it is recommended by Nutriculture.
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N.B. Before using any products always

thoroughly soak the material overnight in water at
pH 5.5 and allow to drain. This reduces the
alkalinity in the propagation block. Additional
beneficial drainage may be achieved by squeezing
the block prior to use.

Using the small propagator block, plant the seed in

the block and allow to germinate. Gently bury and
cover over the seed using a blunt instrument. Alternatively, seedlings raised in soil-less compost R

can be transplanted at this stage to a .

When the seedling develops it’s first green leaf
begin to water sparingly with half strength
complete hydroponic nutrient . If necessary adjust
pH in the watering can.
When seedling has developed white roots to the
outside of the small block it can be transplanted to
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a larger propagation block soaked (at pH
5.5) and drained as before.
propagation block instead of a soil-less compost in
a pot.
As necessary hand water seedlings with half
strength hydroponic nutrient.
Your plants are ready to transplanted to your
hydroponic system when white roots are abundant
on the outside of block (inside the plastic liner).

RAISING TRANSPLANTS FROM CUTTINGS

FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE EXACTLY AS FOR SEED

PRODUCTION BUT NOTE THAT YOU SHOULD NEVER
USE NUTRIENTS IN THE WATER UNTIL YOUR
CUTTING HAS ROOTED. TIP: FOR RAISING
SEEDLINGS OR CUTTINGS, OVERWATERING SLOWS
ROOT GROWTH DRAMATICALLY. ALWAYS TEND TO
KEEP YOUR PLANTS SLIGHTLY ON THE DRY SIDE.
GRODAN CUBES IN A PROPAGATOR

PAGE TWO
RAISING TRANSPLANTS FROM SEED USING AN AEROPONIC PROPAGATOR
ALWAYS BE SURE TO PLACE YOUR NUTRICULTURE PROPAGATOR IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THERE IS SUFFICIENT LIGHT AND HEAT.

It has to be said that from time immemorial gardeners have successfully raised seedlings and cuttings using
conventional techniques. Equally there’s no doubt that the vast majority of difficulties which are experienced
in achieving successful hydroponic growing have there origins in transplant production and setting out.

This is true irrespective of the hydroponic method employed to grow on the transplants though dripper &
NFT systems pose more transplant problems than ebb & flood.

Aeroponic transplant production seeks to minimise transplant problems by producing transplants with more
of the features necessary for success. On page 1 we have shown how it is essential to have an external (of
the propagation block) root system but using aeroponics the transplant can have a much greater percentage
of external roots and what’s more this situation can be achieved more quickly. Not surprisingly then
aeroponic transplant production has become very popular.

USING AN AEROPONIC PROPAGATOR

Lots of options are available in choice of propagation material. All the popular media are successful. These
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include peat, stonewool such as , vermiculite, perlite, pebbles and mixtures of two or more components.
The key to success is to use a small amount of propagation material. In the case of rooting of cuttings
aeroponics allows production without using any propagation material.

SEED PRODUCTION
Place the seed at a appropriate depth in a small
amount of propagation material contained in a
small mesh plastic pot (shown right). Place in the
aeroponic propagator.

Otherwise sow seed in a seed tray (shown right).

Seedlings should be transplanted to the small mesh
pot when they are large enough to handle and
then placed in the aeroponic propagator.

At all times keep germinating seeds and seedlings

in an atmosphere which is conducive to the plant
you are growing. The propagation material can be
kept damp through the occasional use of the root
zone sprinkler BUT on no account add any
nutrients to the propagator water during this
process.

Regularly watch for the emergence of a root from

the propagation material. As soon as any root is
visible outside of the propagation block it is time
to add nutrient at 1/4 strength to the water in the
propagator and to begin operation of the root
zone sprinkler.
The root will soon develop into the air space
between the bottom of the mesh pot and the
nutrient solution.

ONCE ROOTS HAVE APPEARED

FULL-TIME OR INTERMITTENT OPERATION OF THE SPRINKLER?
Generally their is no advantage in running the sprinkler
on intermittent control but this might not be the case
with unusually sensitive plants if a water retentive
propagation material is also used.

The picture right shows the sprinkler in operation.

INCREASE NUTRIENT STRENGTH: Your seedlings and cuttings will show good root growth each day.
As they do gradually increase nutrient strength to 1/2 strength.

PAGE THREE
RAISING TRANSPLANTS FROM CUTTINGS USING AN AEROPONIC PROPAGATOR
ALWAYS BE SURE TO PLACE YOUR NUTRICULTURE PROPAGATOR IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THERE IS SUFFICIENT LIGHT AND HEAT.

CUTTINGS PRODUCTION
Just as with seed production any propagation
material can be employed but additionally cuttings
can be rooted in an aeroponic propagator without
using any propagation material at all.

USING PROPAGATION MATERIAL

Dip the cutting in a rooting hormone and make a suitable
hole in the propagation material held in a mesh pot.

Place the pot in the aeroponic propagator and start

the sprinkler using water only for just sufficient
time to wet out the propagation material.

Keep the cutting in an environment sufficiently

warm to encourage rooting and ensure light levels
are not too high.

Watch for the emergence of roots from the

propagation material. As soon as roots are noticed
start the root zone sprinkler with water to which
1/4 strength nutrient has been added.

USING THE AEROPONIC PROPAGATOR

WITHOUT PROPAGATION MATERIAL
Here set-out the cuttings through a semi-rigid plate
shown below. Suitable plate materials include
foam, plastic sheet, rubber sheet etc. In this case a
rooting gel formulation is often used in preference
to a rooting powder.

With the aeroponic propagator placed in a suitable

environment start the root zone sprinkler full-time.

As soon as roots emerge from the cutting add

nutrient at 1/4 strength.

ONCE ROOTS HAVE APPEARED

ROOT ZONE HEATING
Even in a good quality aerial environment root zone
heating usually improves root growth (which is just what
you are trying to deliver). Inexpensive solution heaters
with thermostats are readily available from your supplier
for this purpose. Don’t apply too much heat or introduce
large wattage heaters. Gentle heat is what’s required.

pH ADJUSTMENT: In accordance with your nutrient instructions adjust pH as required.

PAGE FOUR
 WHEN ARE MY PLANTS READY
REMEMBER FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSPLANTING TO YOUR HYDROPONIC SYSTEM YOU NEED HEALTHY TRANSPLANTS WITH ABUNDANT WHITE ROOTS ON THE OUTSIDE
OF THE PROPAGATION BLOCK. THE PICTURES BELOW EMPHASISE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS, SHOWING THE STAGE YOUR PLANTS NEED TO BE FOR SUCCESS.

THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT

CONVENTIONAL PROPAGATION BLOCK AEROPONIC PROPAGATION BLOCK

TYPICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOUR SYSTEM

NFT (NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE)
In both instances just place the propagation block
onto your NFT channel. When placing the
aeroponic propagation block (including mesh pot)
you can gently ease the roots to lay flat. It’s not a
problem if you bend over any of the roots.
EBB & FLOOD (EBB & FLOW)
In both instances just place the propagation block
onto your clay pebbles. When placing the
aeroponic propagation block (including mesh pot)
you can gently ease the roots to lay flat. It’s not a
problem if you bend over any of the roots.
Continue to fill the rest of the table or pot with
clay pebbles.

PAGE FIVE
 KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER
1. ENSURE ATMOSPHERIC (AIR SPACE) ENVIRONMENT IS
SUITABLE FOR THE PLANT YOU INTEND TO GROW.

2. USE SMALL AMOUNTS OF PROPAGATION MATERIAL OR

NO PROPAGATION MATERIAL AT ALL.

3. DON’T ADD ANY NUTRIENTS UNTIL WHITE ROOTS ARE

VISIBLE.

4. MAINTAIN NUTRIENT & PH LEVELS.

5A. TRANSPLANT WHEN ROOT BOUND (CONVENTIONAL).

5B. TRANSPLANT WHEN ABUNDANT ROOT (AEROPONIC).

PAGE SIX