ROOT!T Natural Rooting Sponges are a revolution in this field. They are a clean, effective, easy alternative to traditional methods of propagation. A breakthrough in technology using plant derived biodegradable polymers bonding together a mixture of peat and bark to form a strong, pliable ready to use propagation plug. The structure of the ROOT!T sponge allows for the ideal amount of water and air to surround the seed or seedling creating the perfect micro environment. The ROOT!T sponge is also inoculated with micronutrients and beneficial bacteria to help the seedlings get the best start once it has germinated.

The ROOT!T sponge holds together when it is being handled as it’s made of a biodegradable polymer, meaning that there is no mess or breakage. Each sponge has a dual hole which can support either a seed or a cutting. The first part of the hole is shorter and wider to support and protect a seed, creating a warm humid microclimate around it, speeding up germination times. The centre of the hole goes deeper into the plug and is much narrower which supports a cutting and helps to stimulate quicker root development.

All of the ROOT!T propagation products complement each other so using the Rooting Gel and First Feed will ensure that seedlings and cuttings are in the optimum condition to be successfully transferred onto the next growing phase. As the seedlings and cuttings are left to grow in the ROOT!T Rooting Sponge, there is no damage or shock to the young plant when potting on which allows all the plants energy to be put into growth.

The ROOT!T sponge is ideal for use in the garden, in pots and baskets, at the allotment and in hydroponic and aquaponic systems.

The all natural ROOT!T sponges are environmentally friendly and made of biodegradable products – Just leave them in the ground or put them in the compost heap!

The post ROOT!T  Natural Propagation Sponges – What are they? appeared first on Root It.

– Position the greenhouse so that you can utilise as much natural light as possible. The sun is the fuel for plant function. Full sun is a bonus in the winter months to warm and light the greenhouse but use shading in the summer months to protect your delicate plants from burning.

– Watch out for clear sunny days even when is very cold outside, as the heat will build up inside quickly and ventilation may be required. Try to keep a balanced even temperature and use greenhouse heaters to ensure temperatures do not drop too low, especially at night time.

– Don’t let your plants dry out. Ensure that the soil is always kept moist and if you are going to leave the plants for a few days, invest in automated watering systems.

– Make sure you keep the greenhouse well ventilated with fresh air. Although you think this may let unwanted pests in, it will ensure that you keep mildew, fungi and diseases at bay by preventing a moist environment. Also, use oscillating fans all year to keep the air moving and help prevent both hot and cold spots developing and damaging plants.

– Plan which plants you wish to grow and where you will go on to plant them. Look ahead and create a calendar for when you need to start germinating different varieties and give them enough time to establish before planting out.

– Ensure that you thoroughly clean your greenhouse at least once a year. Keeping on top of hygiene will go towards ensuring the next batch of plants will be healthy.

– Make the most of nature and irrigate the greenhouse guttering into a barrel and collect the rainwater to use in your garden/allotment

The post Tips for the Greenhouse appeared first on Root It.

Taking a plant cutting is stressful for both the donor plant and the cutting. The shock to the cutting is extreme and certain physiological responses will be equally extreme.

The plant cutting beginning to rapidly age is one of the first processes. Experts believe ageing is a consequence of the presence of abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene both produced by stressing the plant. ABA and ethylene production in plants is evidence of sugar and oxygen deficiencies which is a consequence of stress disruption to the translocation processes.

ABA is a vital plant hormone and is produced by the plant as a response to changes in the environment for example; in cold weather ABA begins the change that protects leaves from the cold.

Ethylene has long been known to advance the maturity of a plant under stress to take it to a point where it may be mature enough to be viable away from the mother plant. Examples of this are seen in ripening fruit and cut flowers.

Using ROOT!T Cutting Mist on the donor plant prior to harvesting the cutting helps keep sugar production in the leaf at normal levels following harvesting. Keeping these levels closer to normal will help reduce stress and the inappropriate production of ABA and ethylene. Continuing with the Mist for 2-3 days ensures that this remains the case.

ROOT!T Rooting Gel forms a barrier around the cutting stem that helps to hold it in a low stress state, allowing the natural processes of plant repair. For best results, ROOT!T Cutting Mist, First Feed, Rooting Gel and Natural Rooting Sponges should be used together for the cutting process.

The nutrients and micro nutrients in ROOT!T Gel and ROOT!T Cutting Mist are balanced to work at a molecular level with the natural physiology of the plant to encourage root bud formation in cuttings. Use together to get the best results!

The post Taking and propagating cuttings with ROOT!T appeared first on Root It.