Step 1: Moisten the Eazy Plug
Allow the Eazy Plugs to fully suck up water with a pH of 5.8.
Let it drain out excess water. Do not squeeze out or dry the plugs. Eazy Plugs are self-regulating and will only hold the water they need for an optimum moisture level and an optimum air-to-water ratio. The plug will feel much heavier than Rock-Wool, but that’s normal.
Step 2: Take cutting
For a more detailed explanation of taking cuttings click here.
Cut diagonally at a 45 degree angle just below a node or stem swelling, making sure to keep at least 3 nodes above your intersection.
Remove all but a couple of leaves. Scrape a little of the outer layer at the bottom of the cutting, but not all around. Cut off ⅓ of the top of remaining big leaves.
Step 3: Root stimulator
If you want to make use of a rooting powder (for example Rhizopon), dip the base of your fresh cut cutting into the rooting powder.
Step 4: Insertion in Eazy Plug
Insert the cutting into the Eazy Plug cutting hole. Make sure to insert it deeply enough, completely to the bottom of the cutting hole.
Step 5: Put into propagator
Put the tray with Eazy Plug into a propagator.
Close the lid of the propagator and shut any present air vents to keep the humidity inside the system.
Step 6: Remoistening and fresh air
Only remoisten the Eazy Plug after 3 days and keep on doing that every 3 days until the first appearance of roots.
Briefly open the propagator every day for a little fresh air.
Open the air vents slightly at the earliest after 4-5 days. Humidity should remain above 80%, as too much loss of humidity can seriously effect your success rate.
Step 7: Assure drainage of excess water
Make sure Eazy Plug is able to drain excess water at all times, so it can always self-regulate the correct amount of moisture. Never let the bottom of the Eazy Plug touch water, as the moisture absorption of Eazy Plug is exceptionally good and the Eazy Plug will quickly become too wet, which will have a negative effect on the rate of success.
Step 8: Open air vents
After the first roots have developed, you can gradually open the air vents further in order to acclimate the cutting to a less humid environment.
Step 9: Transplant
In 7-9 days from start your cutting should have grown its roots throughout the Eazy Plug and it is time to transplant them.
Conditions for developing roots:
- Temperature: The optimum soil temperature for striking roots is 22º Celsius. Above 23º Celsius, you must consider a rise in failure rate.
- RH (humidity): RH of 80-95% is perfect. As the cutting needs its energy for striking roots, the moisture level of leaves and stem should remain intact.
- Light: In the first few days the cutting will form callus, from which the roots will start to grow. In this phase the cutting only needs tempered light with a broad spectrum (regular assimilation light). After the development of roots the amount of light can be gradually increased.