so I decided now that my current supply of food grade spun rockwool is almost used up to switch and test a food safe non toxic neoprene foam plug. this will facilitate reuse after a simple cleaning.
I decide on XCEL Cloning Collars 2 Inch (200 – Pack), Premium Rubber Foam Plant Cloner off amazon at cost of $23.99 for 200 i only question the density if it will allow base and stalk of plant to expand out to grow proper and how this affects reuse the clone collars are 3/4 inch (19mm) thick and1.875 inch (47,6 mm) diameter. I also purchases reflective disk to set on the top $18.49 for 200
these plugs fit perfect in the vial i use with net pots when i start plants, Vials are 40 dram size i bought new from local pharmacy.
collars come in a sheet of 50 they pop out easy from the punched sheet, the center star pattern had a couple spots in the web at points that their punch system didnt completely seperate all cuts at tips i used a 1/4 inch wide 1 inch long exacto blade on first then switched to a blade out of a razor knife to clean theses area up
Pressed into the vial that are a very close fit a snug slip fit. Fitting into the net pot they stop at the inside ridge but can be pushed past very easy and the slight tighter fit closing the hole slightly so a seed will not fall through going to try seeds at various depth down in from top of plug to check sprouting and root developement, will need to check various sprouting options possible a tiny tuff of cotton off a Q-tip or little strip of paper towel to hold seed as the neoprene i know will not wick water, last option would be to start in loose soil remove rinse gentle then open the plugs and insert gentle plusin the open lost of another opens the star center nicely.
My thoughts at present maybe a bit of thinking and a minot amount of extra work but in long run if they wor ooverall less expense of having to buy rockwool plugs or sheet and then cut sheet, easier clean up after open collar and mulch the roots and left over stalk, ( current i have to cut the rockwool plugs off stem and the roots off the rockwool , throw rockwool in garbage compost the rest )
i have two started at moment i cut a small strip of a paper towel one straight into the vial and second in net pot set into vial as soon as set them in the paper towel was wet to the top. water level is just touching the paper wick. The top should evaporate some water away so the towel wont be full in water and cause any rot issues
I decide on XCEL Cloning Collars 2 Inch (200 – Pack), Premium Rubber Foam Plant Cloner off amazon at cost of $23.99 for 200 i only question the density if it will allow base and stalk of plant to expand out to grow proper and how this affects reuse the clone collars are 3/4 inch (19mm) thick and1.875 inch (47,6 mm) diameter. I also purchases reflective disk to set on the top $18.49 for 200
these plugs fit perfect in the vial i use with net pots when i start plants, Vials are 40 dram size i bought new from local pharmacy.
collars come in a sheet of 50 they pop out easy from the punched sheet, the center star pattern had a couple spots in the web at points that their punch system didnt completely seperate all cuts at tips i used a 1/4 inch wide 1 inch long exacto blade on first then switched to a blade out of a razor knife to clean theses area up
Pressed into the vial that are a very close fit a snug slip fit. Fitting into the net pot they stop at the inside ridge but can be pushed past very easy and the slight tighter fit closing the hole slightly so a seed will not fall through going to try seeds at various depth down in from top of plug to check sprouting and root developement, will need to check various sprouting options possible a tiny tuff of cotton off a Q-tip or little strip of paper towel to hold seed as the neoprene i know will not wick water, last option would be to start in loose soil remove rinse gentle then open the plugs and insert gentle plusin the open lost of another opens the star center nicely.
My thoughts at present maybe a bit of thinking and a minot amount of extra work but in long run if they wor ooverall less expense of having to buy rockwool plugs or sheet and then cut sheet, easier clean up after open collar and mulch the roots and left over stalk, ( current i have to cut the rockwool plugs off stem and the roots off the rockwool , throw rockwool in garbage compost the rest )
i have two started at moment i cut a small strip of a paper towel one straight into the vial and second in net pot set into vial as soon as set them in the paper towel was wet to the top. water level is just touching the paper wick. The top should evaporate some water away so the towel wont be full in water and cause any rot issues
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