The Root'd Plants Method for Propagating with Perlite

Here at Root'd Plants we regularly propagate our plants using perlite. We always get plenty of questions about plant propagation and we have had great success with this method and would love to share it with you. Below outlines the equipment required and steps to take in order to replicate the way we propagate using perlite. Good Luck!

MATERIALS:

Medium grade perlite

Plastic Container/Tub

Electric Drill

Water

Dr Greenthumbs Root Roids (optional but recommended)

PPE: Face Mask (optional but recommended)

METHOD:

1. Clean the plastic tub by rinsing with warm water and plant based dishwashing liquid. Rinse so that no suds remain. 

2. Use an electric drill to make 4 holes (one in each corner of the tub) about 1.5 -2cm from the base of the tub. The water that gets trapped below these holes will act as your water reservoir and wick up the perlite to your cuttings and keep them moist but not wet. Any water that fills to the holes will run out, this is especially useful to flush out the build up of salts/dirt/plant tissue/algae etc.

2. Place perlite in tubs to about 12cm deep. Be careful not to breathe in the perlite dust. Wearing a protective mask - especially when the perlite is dry - is highly recommended.

3. Water and fill up reservoir. Dr Greenthumbs Root Roids are a great products to use when propagating. It can help speed up the rooting process significantly. Adding is optional. 

4. Bury the nodes/rhizomes etc that you wish to grow roots into the perlite. The active node/rhizome should only be buried about 1cm deep.

5. The reservoir can be refilled at any time, just don't let it dry out completely as cuttings need constant moisture to survive. 

6. The plant will then develop its root system into the perlite. Growing in perlite will allow the plant to grow roots that allow the plant to easily transfer to soil.

7. Once the plant has a 50c size root ball you can transfer to soil.