Propagating can be difficult, but, it doesn’t have to be. There are some key points that can help increase your plant ‘hit-rate’, reducing losses and improving turn around time.In this blog we are focusing on propagation machines or stations, such as the Turbo-Kloners or XStream propagators.Propagation machines, are devices designed to make the process of cloning plants much easier and more efficient. With less consumables, less effort and greater performance, why wouldn’t you want one.What are propagation machines?Propagation machines are devices that are used to clone plants, not so much to germinate. Cloning is the process of creating a new plant from a cutting of an existing plant. This process can be difficult and time-consuming if done manually, but propagation machines make it much easier and more efficient.There are many different types and sizes of propagation machines available, but they all work on the same principle. They create a warm, highly humid environment that encourages the cuttings to grow roots and develop into new plants. One of the most popular types of propagation machines is the TurboKloner in this industry.How do TurboKloners work?TurboKloners, such as the T24 work by utilizing a small water pump in the base of the machine (under the cuttings/clones) this pump circulates water through spray nozzles, misting the exposed stems of the plants placed in the machine. Using a combination of aeroponics/misting to achieve this. Aeroponics is a process where the cuttings are suspended in air and are sprayed with a nutrient-rich mist. This mist provides the cuttings with the hydration they need to grow roots and develop into new plant, while additional hormones or nutrient is easily added to the water to help boost plant rooting performance.This has several advantages over other types of propagation methods. Firstly, they are very efficient producing a large number of clones in a short amount of time. Secondly, they are easy to use, almost a plug-n-play machine. They require very little maintenance and can be set up quickly and easily. Finally, they are very reliable making them a popular choice for professional plant growers.What else do I need to use with my propagator?In plenty of cases, simply adding water, your clones and plugging the machine in will generate great results and performance. However, there are some factors that must be considered.Temperature: Maintaining a suitable climate for your plants to propagate can make the difference when it comes to propagation time frames. Typically, plants will prefer a warm, humid climate to propagate in, that tends to be around 25c-29c. Of course, it can be plant specific and is worth researching what your plant prefers. This is usually achieved with a heatmat under the cloner, with a temperature controller to help ensure the environment is stable.However, you can also propagate trees and more woody plants, by using hardwood cuttings. Hardwood cuttings don’t need a high humidity environment to get to work, and can really be left to do their thing.Lighting: The propagator will require a light source above it. The clones will not need much light at all, in fact, too much lighting is detrimental to the plants and will cause them to wilt. A low wattage LED around 20watts per cloning machine works well.Nutrient or Hormones: Traditionally, dipping your cuttings in a rooting hormone or powder was considered essential for success. Propagation machines are able to keep your plants more than happy without these hormones, but, it can certainly be a good idea to use such products if you wanted to help ensure growth hit rate or shave down turn around times.In conclusion, propagation machines are an excellent tool for plant growers. They make the process of cloning plants much easier and more efficient, which saves growers time and money. They are also easy to use and reliable, which makes them an ideal choice for both commercial and novice growers.
Propagating can be difficult, but, it doesn’t have to be. There are some key points that can help increase your plant ‘hit-rate’, reducing losses and improving turn around time.In this blog we are focusing on propagation machines or stations, such as the Turbo-Kloners or XStream propagators. Propagation machines, are devices designed to make the process of cloning plants much easier and more efficient. With less consumables, less effort and greater performance, why wouldn’t you want one. What are propagation machines? Propagation machines are devices that are used to clone plants, not so much to germinate. Cloning is the process of creating a new plant from a cutting of an existing plant. This process can be difficult and time-consuming if done manually, but propagation machines make it much easier and more efficient. There are many different types and sizes of propagation machines available, but they all work on the same principle. They create a warm, highly humid environment that encourages the cuttings to grow roots and develop into new plants. One of the most popular types of propagation machines is the TurboKloner in this industry. How do TurboKloners work? TurboKloners, such as the T24 work by utilizing a small water pump in the base of the machine (under the cuttings/clones) this pump circulates water through spray nozzles, misting the exposed stems of the plants placed in the machine. Using a combination of aeroponics/misting to achieve this. Aeroponics is a process where the cuttings are suspended in air and are sprayed with a nutrient-rich mist. This mist provides the cuttings with the hydration they need to grow roots and develop into new plant, while additional hormones or nutrient is easily added to the water to help boost plant rooting performance. This has several advantages over other types of propagation methods. Firstly, they are very efficient producing a large number of clones in a short amount of time. Secondly, they are easy to use, almost a plug-n-play machine. They require very little maintenance and can be set up quickly and easily. Finally, they are very reliable making them a popular choice for professional plant growers. What else do I need to use with my propagator?In plenty of cases, simply adding water, your clones and plugging the machine in will generate great results and performance. However, there are some factors that must be considered.Temperature: Maintaining a suitable climate for your plants to propagate can make the difference when it comes to propagation time frames. Typically, plants will prefer a warm, humid climate to propagate in, that tends to be around 25c-29c. Of course, it can be plant specific and is worth researching what your plant prefers. This is usually achieved with a heatmat under the cloner, with a temperature controller to help ensure the environment is stable. However, you can also propagate trees and more woody plants, by using hardwood cuttings. Hardwood cuttings don’t need a high humidity environment to get to work, and can really be left to do their thing. Lighting: The propagator will require a light source above it. The clones will not need much light at all, in fact, too much lighting is detrimental to the plants and will cause them to wilt. A low wattage LED around 20watts per cloning machine works well.Nutrient or Hormones: Traditionally, dipping your cuttings in a rooting hormone or powder was considered essential for success. Propagation machines are able to keep your plants more than happy without these hormones, but, it can certainly be a good idea to use such products if you wanted to help ensure growth hit rate or shave down turn around times. In conclusion, propagation machines are an excellent tool for plant growers. They make the process of cloning plants much easier and more efficient, which saves growers time and money. They are also easy to use and reliable, which makes them an ideal choice for both commercial and novice growers.
