Cloning with aeroponic propagator

[crichmond]

Cloning rosemary cuttings with aeroponic propagator.

Step 1 - take your cuttings



Step 2 - clean leaves from end of cutting



Step 3 - place support collar on cutting



Step 4 - place into basket in propagator

[crichmond]

Step 5 - switch on propagator and check its working ok



Step 6 - put lid on and place under grow lamp




Cheers Chris

[Phreddy]

That's interesting Chris, just what is one of those things and are they expensive?

[smallblueplanet]

It looks like an ordinary heated propagator, with the ability to 'hold up' cuttings so that they are propagated by air - I presume aeroponic is like hydroponic only air/aero not water/hydro?

If you look at the piccies it seems that the cuttings are pushed into the lids of empty pots and kept in the prop. Perhaps something similar could be done with clingfilm and yoghurt pots?

I presume 'the kit' is sold to grow cuttings of 'exotic' plants as its very easy to take rosemary cuttings in soil.

[crichmond]

the cuttings are suspended in the air by the pots which are net pots and they are spayed from underneath with water which is aerated by an air pump and heated slightly with a fish tank heater, once roots appear you then add nutrients to the water.

I agree that rosemary is easy to root in soil, but the reason for using the aeroponic propagator is that it promotes quicker and stronger root growth, the rooted cutting are then transplanted to soil after the roots are a few centimeters long.

That and the fact I wanted to try it out as it is a new toy foy me to play with.

once my chillie peppers are big enough they will be going in it.

[veg4681]

Sounds good, I sure would love to have one of those but it looks massive next to the other two propagagors so will have to pass it off. What else have you propagated? I tried propagating some 5-6 different colours of Potentilla from cuttings but they were too woody and wouldn't form roots. There's a gel form propagator too, dip the cuttings in a pot of gel.

[crichmond]

Hi veg4681

Its the first time I have used it, I only got it a couple of weeks ago so first time trying to propagate this way. I am following the instructions that came with it.
I know what you mean about using woody stems though, the cuttings I am using are nice fresh growth.

[crichmond]

2 days since taking the cuttings and the first sign of roots are appearing on all 12 cuttings.

[crichmond]

Nine days in the aeroponic propagator, nearly time to plant in a pot.

[smallblueplanet]

Interesting, but shouldn't you have compared to a 'control group'? Would the cuttings have rooted as well in compost, or in water?

[crichmond]

To be honest the thought never occurred to me, I just wanted to play with my new toy.

Although i suppose I could still take more cuttings and do it.

[smallblueplanet]

More playing!

edit - if you've any nice lavendar I could do with some cuttings!

[crichmond]

Sorry I havent but I have a packet of seeds if you want them.

[smallblueplanet]

Very kind, but I'll move me lazy b** and take some cuttings from the ones we have.

Looking forward to the next installment of your experiment!

[crichmond]

This tomato was put in the aeroponic propagator 3 days ago with no roots showing through at all.