Putting the plants in the plugs into the holes in the cubes is another of the critical phases within the Propagation Framework.
Wetting up and wetting up lines
On an automated wetting up line the plugs are normally put into the cubes.
- First, saturate the cubes completely and evenly with the correct nutrient solution. A fully saturated 10 x 10 x 6.5 cm cube should weight just over 520 grams after it has drained. Check this weight often during this process to make sure that saturation in complete and even. When using a transplanting line, use at least 2 or even better 3 overhead wetting up lines.
- For the first two lines 50% recycled water can be used. On the third line always use fresh nutrient solution with sterilized water.
- When cubes are paper-linked, there needs to be a conveyer on the transplanting line. This has to be set up at an angle to break the cubes apart.
Watering and nutrients
At this point a vegetative action is needed to get the roots out of the plug and into the cube so a standard nutrient solution would have an EC level of 2.5 – 3.0 and a pH of 5.3 - 5.5.
Cube hole sizes
The standard are holes of 25 x 27 mm / 22 x 27 mm / 25 x 25 mm for a plug of 22 x 27 mm.
- To keep the base of the plant slightly higher and drier it is good to use a plug that is 2 mm longer than the hole in the cube. This helps to keep the base of the seedling dry and reduce the chance of infection.
- To provide a faster rooting in, choose a narrow hole 22 x 27 mm
Positioning of the plug in the cube
With grafted tomatoes the plug is put vertical into the hole in the cube. This is to keep the graft away from the surface of the cube. It is important that the plug fits well.
Selection and transplanting
- Make sure there is no diversity in the way of transplanting. Let all the plants face the same direction with their dominant leaf. Create uniformity and avoid shade of the new heads.
- After 4 - 6 days from transplanting the plants should have rooted into the cube. During this period if using lights use 3000 or 6000 lux to help the plant to root in. Vulnerable varieties use only 3000 lux. After pinching for sure reduce to 3000 lux.
- 7 - 10 days after transplanting the first roots should show at the bottom of the cube except with RootmaXX cubes where the roots stay in the cube for longer.