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Do Propagation Boxes Improve Propagation? Pros and Cons | Do's and Don't!
In this episode, I share the science behind propagation boxes, and put the theory to the test. I propagated some Philodendron hederaceum micans both in the prop box, and in the open air. After a few months, I compared the results to see if plants indeed do propagate better and faster in prop boxes. I also shared some pros and cons of this set up at the end of the video so stick around to find out!
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Пікірлер: 131
I really love how you prepare your videos months ahead, the amount of planning! Appreciate the effort you put into this, well done!
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
😀😀 thank youu
I would recommend setting up prop boxes with a full layer of moss at the bottom, instead of pots. Your humidity will remain constant, and I add a bottom layer of leca under the moss to ensure the water loss is less dramatic. These also tend to do better with grow lights, with less risk of sun damage as you have experienced in the past
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Thank youu
I feel like you just have ideal growing conditions where you live lol where I live in Wisconsin, humidity boxes are a huge help especially in winter. But you are correct about plastic waste. Aaand I just got to the end where we share the same thoughts 😅
@maureenmckenzielueder5942
2 жыл бұрын
I’m chuckling because I just wrote him the same thing. I’m about 30 miles west of Chicago. No prop box? No plants! 😀
@robintucker9057
2 жыл бұрын
Same. I was asking myself, why would you need a prop box in Indonesia? #Michigan
@Nikibaby74
2 жыл бұрын
Same thoughts #Minnesota
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Haha good point! Prop boxes may be a necessity in winter.
@beckymcc6324
2 жыл бұрын
Same! I live in AZ right now in the sonoran desert, and the prop box I switched to has been huge! Less upkeep too imo
To be fair Sean, I think your outside humidity is more than most people have while their trying to propagate their plants, so I’m thinking a persons climate has a lot to do with whether you need a propagation box or not. My plants struggle during the winter months with only 16 percent humidity and that’s with a humidifier running. Granted I keep our home warmer than most because I’m an old fart and get chilly easily. So while you have great success without a propagation box my cuttings would turn into cinder. P.S. I LOVE YOUR EXPERIMENTS ! Thank you! 🌷💚🙃 AND NOW MY APOLOGIES, I agree climate matters 🌷💚🙃
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Oooh yeahhh. Climate matters 😀 i would have a room full of these if there was winter here haha
@erickanorris567
Жыл бұрын
the humidity where I live live is usually less than 10% often as low as 4% so I either use a propagation box or with seeds I use capillary mats on top of a plastic box , I cut out a hole to pour water in this can keep the soil moist for several weeks without having to add water constantly. When I 1st put in the seed I mist until there is growth.
@eehhh3791
Жыл бұрын
Hi there OMG! How do you get 16% humidity which country are you from? Our country can be like a rainforest we always have 60-90% humidity all year round.
@judymckerrow6720
Жыл бұрын
@@eehhh3791 in the northern states of USA. It gets cold here so we have our furnace running which makes the air inside our home very dry. We also have a wood burning stove in our family room which dries the air out even more. 🌸💚🙃
@eehhh3791
Жыл бұрын
@@judymckerrow6720 Wow thats amazing and that your from the North USA :)
I’m in Chicago. Right now all of my plants are in my basement with grow lights because it’s winter here. I absolutely have to use a prop box every time I propagate. It just helps with my complete lack of humidity. But I bet in Indonesia it’s probably not as much of an issue.
Sean, I never water my prop box at all and it's been almost two years. I just stick the cuttings in there long enough for roots to grow an inch or so before I transplant. I use sphagnum moss or perlite. I like using prop boxes because I don't have to water the cuttings at all...it's a set and forget method. I do something similar with direct to soil propagations, I put them in old ziplock bags or reuse the clear plastic bags from online shopping purchases so I don't have to remember to water
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Great tip! I should experiment more with different species
Well prop box propagations depend on : first your climate region , whether you have it in shade indoors, the medium with which you propagate plants in them.etc. I grow my anthurium silver Blush, my Crystallinum, a philodendron Furcatum( most finicky plant ever) a monstera siltepicana and some Verrucosum cuttings during winter in a prop box in moss and perlite and they love it! When they outgrown the box I'll gradually acclimate them by opening the lid for a certain amount of time till late spring comes. Thank you for your video and the effort you put in it everytime!! Cheers Sean!!
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Thank youuu
I think a main consideration with this is that where I am (northeastern US) I don't have the high humidity you have where you live. I have always found it very difficult to root most things without some sort of humidity (large plastic bags, prop box, etc). I do always gradually open the humidity tent/box to allow the plants to harden off, so yes, that's something you need to think about but it's really not a big deal. I love propagating things, and do it a lot. With regard to your comment about plastic, you're right... I like using trays that I've gotten things in from the grocery store or restaurants when I can.
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
I have been collecting food containers a d trying to use them for plants. I will do an episode soon 😀
@freebutterfly102
Жыл бұрын
Yes I’m reusing all my clear plastic ( I think plastic) food, little trays with perlite, as well as water trying to speed up props in winter. Here in USA it’s so cold hardly any sun almost 2023 in a week and want to have many plants when the weather improves. So propagating now in winter reusing containers with perlite and water, and just water props. I will air out and leave box open as I get closer to repotting them. Thanks for the tip I didn’t think of that,
Now, Sean. If I lived in paradise, I wouldn’t need prop boxes either! 😉😂😂😂 my props root so much better in my prop box, but I also have a heat pad under them, which I really feel is the key. We have such low humidity here in Ohio, USA, about 6 mos of the year. I love your videos! Thank you for what you do. Stay safe and be happy!!! 💚💚💚
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Thank youuu. A lot of growers here do use prop boxes… I was always curious about the difference. Looks like its like 5-10% improvement at best hehe
So true about waste, i try use what i have, this was really helpful, thank you
@onlyplants
2 ай бұрын
❤️❤️
I like your plant related contents. I learn and enjoy watching you doing updating❤️
on my balcony the humidity is about 40-50% only. while in the prop box i can get it to 70-80% constantly. so thats where i root my cuttings in small plastic cups with sphagnum moss. used to be a bed of moss with cuttings on it. but the use of plastic cups will limit the range of root growth. makes it easier to clean out the moss from the roots later on.
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Oooh yea i can imagine the roots getting tangled into each other
Good morning 🌄. Watching from the Philippines. It's 1:05 am.
@edralynrala2861
2 жыл бұрын
Ako din😁
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
😀😀
Thank you for the good information. It was very helpful.
Omg vids 2 days in a rowwwww woooooo love ur propagation videosss
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Thank youu
I am using prop boxes with moss for my cuttings to root. Sometimes water propagation. I live in Germany and my prop boxes are easy to maintain. A layer of moist moss at the bottom of the box and cuttings on top. Nearly no watering necessary. Regardless of the seasons. Works best with a warmer surrounding but even on a colder (10-20°C) windowsill. And if I don't use the boxes for my propagations, I can use them for other things.
@onlyplants
7 ай бұрын
Oooh yes Ive over the years found great use for these boxes 😀 Ill try to make an episode about it soon.
I tried a propagation box recently for the first time with mix results. I used an old food container and put some pink princess cuttings in there and they did quite well! However, I also did a BUNCH of pothos cuttings and after a few months they only had a few nubs poking out which I found puzzling since pothos typically grow like crazy for me when I plant them directly into soil or put in water. I ended up just throwing the nodes into a pot with some potting mix and they're starting to push leaves out now. The pink princess's did really well though and grew quickly so I'm pretty excited about that! I just recently potted them up with the mother plant and added a moss pole and the babies look so cute! Can't wait to watch it grow into a beast! I just wanted to add that I love your channel and I could listen to you talk about plants all day! I went backpacking in south-east Asia for 2 months and whenever I see all the tropical plants growing everywhere it reminds me of how beautiful and lush everything is there! (I'm from Canada, and I miss those tropical vibes:)
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Thank youuu. The health of cutting may affect the speed of propagation. Alsobthe maturity of growing eye and aerial roots 😀😀
What a healthy and lovely Plants.... Thank you for sharing...Sean. Happy Monday...
Depending on where the grower is in the world, the propagation box works very well especially for the rest of us in areas with very long winter seasons.
@onlyplants
7 ай бұрын
Ouuu yes. Over the years Ive discovered some tips on these boxes! Ill share soon
My prop box has a black lid and I just keep it in my bedroom. Now the weather is getting warmer in the uk, I put it outside and take the lid off and mist it regularly. I’m trying all the propagation methods to go to my first plant swap and I’m hoping they’ll work out🤞🏽🤞🏽
@janeth3008
2 жыл бұрын
So happy we're finally getting some sun. My plants appreciate it too. What are you propagating?
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Good luck!! 😀
@amalia2669
2 жыл бұрын
@@janeth3008 every time I’ve bought a plant in the last couple months I’ve tried to propagate it so my gold pothos, philo birkin, philo brasil, this thing I stole from my neighbours rusty window box and my Purple Heart.
It is very helpful here, but we use either moss or perlite on the bottom. These are extremely so much better for me than any other method.
I live in a semi arid climate, so prop boxes are my saviors. Great video as always!
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
😀
I haven’t visit your Chanel in a few months. Saw you exceeded 100k subscribers. Congrats 🍾🎊🎉🎈
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Thank youuuu
I live in Jakarta. Well yeah we already have high humidity and its easy for plants to thrive even we just put them outside. But I find prop boxes are quite helpful with my fussy plants. It's like a plant ICU for me :D I can just put it in there and forget it for weeks and they are thriving
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Yeahh Im saving mu ecuagenera plants on prop boxes now. That video should be out in June 😀
I did this method with perlite, and like you said, the plant will shock if you immediately move them from propbox, so during their process, every 2 3 days i always open the lid, let the actual air came in. As you know in Indonesia the sun is reaallyy hot right😂 so always keep in mind, let them get usual with our condition, not in that extra humid condition
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Thank youuu
Hi Sean, love your videos. I was wondering if you could do a video on philodendron hederaceum’s. I struggle with this for some reason.
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Next weeks video is actually the philodendron hederaceum micans care and propagation. Its the hardest one in the hederaceum group. My tip on these is to always propagate yo get a full pot, as the top can get bald and ugly rather quickly.
I use so many prop boxes because my overall humidity is low. My home humidity is about 50% always which is good for mature plants but baby plants need more help. I do use a humidifier.
@Nikibaby74
2 жыл бұрын
I’m the same with my houses humidity. I got 3 of those Ikea Rudsta glass-door cabinets, the ones people are turning into little greenhouses, and they keep about 70% humidity just with the plants alone. Can get higher if you add extra humidity with things like wet moss bowls or something. Absolutely love them!
Hi Sean! Ticoplantguy here :) I agree with you about everything you said and your conclusions! At the end the result is practically the same, and it might be fun for experimenting and that kind of stuff, but the final result is always very similar, at least in countries like where we live with high humidity outside.
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Thank youuu. Local growers here use prop boxes and swear by it. I was a bit curious thats why I felt prompted to do this experiment hehe
i’m curious to know what the roots look like in comparison.
I live in a dry climate and prop boxes definitely help. I re-use plastic food containers and use perlite, put only a tiny layer of water on the bottom and only add water once there is no more condensation. Light is bright indirect. If I lived in your climate I wouldn't bother with prop boxes either!
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
A lot of local growers do use prop boxes here 😅
You are totally right, why using a box if humidity is already high. my humidity is 40-50% so i get an advantage of a prop box where i live
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Ive been growing more “rare” aroid stumps in prop boxes. They seem to have higher success rate and the care is much simpler than out of the prop box.
I use my prop boxes to propagate cream splash, Scindapsus silver lady, syngonium milk confetti wet sticks with very positive results. All single node/single leaf. I didn't individually pot then tho. I layer mine with spaghnum mixed with perlite on top of leca balls. Basically just stick a bunch of cuttings into the spaghnum and let them grow out roots in that setting. I'll repot them only when they grow at least 1-2 new leaves and adapt them to normal environment. I get to propagate more cuttings this way.
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
I need to try the moss method soon 😋
I live in a hot dry climate outside Nairobi. My garden is native but my container plants exotics. I start my fern spores, rhipsalis and epiphyllum seeds in these boxes- some native species seeds too. Though most native species cuttings tend to rot in the boxes if kept too long. I also start my schlumbergera, african violets and carnivorous plants cuttings in these boxes, usually in vermiculite. I grow my ferns and mosses all year round in these boxes and use these boxes to revive struggling plants. I have lived in more humid places where I did not use these boxes. You are lucky that you can grow a wider range of plants. I hate that I am contributing to plastic waste. I am not willing to give up my exotics but as I garden organically, maybe I am helping the planet a little?
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Just pass the plastic on to your kids hehe they can use them foreverrrrr 😀
New sub here and I really appreciate your videos. So interesting, informative and thorough. I'll be binge watching...
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Thank youu, welcome to the channel 🙌🏽
We have the same kind of weather, Singapore and Jakarta and we have no issues with propagating out in the open. However I do have an Ikea rack that has a cover, for those sick plants that need a bit of help. Unlike a propagation box, the cover has a zip at the front and when closed, it still lets air in from the bottom so it doesn't overheat as much.
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Cool! Im about to try one of these more cabinet like set ups!
@melissalim2239
2 жыл бұрын
@@onlyplants could you also try out the cheaper ikea version - Hyllis with the cover as mentioned in comment above? It’s not a full on ikea greenhouse cabinet but it’s cheap:)
@cuclainne
2 жыл бұрын
Yes, mine is a Hyllis with cover. Does watering at certain times of the day also matter in plant growth? Perhaps you can touch on that, if you haven't already
I'd put perlite directly in the box and the plants in the perlite. But I guess the 4" pots your using are okay, I just haven't seen that before.
In my zone there is less humidity so i use prop box and lid is not transparent... my thai node that dint had any roots for an entire year grew a root
Terimakasih pelajarannya..kereeen dan aku akan mencobanya..
I think in SE Asia like you said the humidity is already high. I live in NV desert 🌵 and humidity is about 20 percent. One thing i know for sure is you don’t need to water plants in box as often as outside the box
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Whoaaa I’d have 500 of these boxes going if I lived in Nevada. I miss Vegas so much I literally grew up on the strip.
I use prop boxes a lot. I am in LA, CA so no high humidity ever here. I do a layer of leca on bottom then about 2” of perlite. On a heat mat. 99% success rate!
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Whoaaaaa need to try perlite propagation
Right on time! 😍
Well your environment is basically a prop box, so I can see that you don't need one..but being semi-arid, it definitely helps here...
@onlyplants
Жыл бұрын
💯 . But some people here do prop boxes… thats why its a bit puzzling
I'm from Canada, I think prop boxes are best for regions with more than 1 season/outer wear requirements. We don't have the luxury of tropical conditions year round. I've also almost always seen prop boxes with Sphagmoss as the bottom layer, even mixed with orchid bark - plant cuttings just laid on top. This gives you another video you could make - different types/ways to set up prop boxes - you can compare it to your overly simple version.
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Interestinggg. Ill look into it! Im actually thinking of getting an ikea greenhouse cabinet as it will have similar effect to a prop box but we can actually enjoy the view 😅
I want a Calathea zebrina care, leaf burn,wilting, repoting video please please please 😭😭😭😭😭😭
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Oh mannn this is not an easy calathea. In fact you just reminded me that i havent seen mine in a while lol maybe it died.
Make a roots comparison please.
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Ohhh yeah you’re the first to suggest that! Haha it makes sense to have shown it
To be fair. Most of us dont live near the equator like you so you might have to compare prop-box results to 30-50% humidity conditions in that case. I would assume your indoor humidity is way higher than ours since temperature and humidity outside also are way higher than most places.
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
💯 correct hehe. Some people here do use prop boxes and build humidity tents though… the idea is a bit strange to me 😅
On point!
In what kind of substrate you potted up those cuttings?
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
My general potting mix. I have an episode that shows how its made and the composition and that video is titled “onlyplants potting mix”
Lol you live in Jakarta where the humidity is already higher. So you already have success in propagating outside. You lucky duck!! Us poor folk in dry environments need our prop boxes 😂😂
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Haha yes 😅
What will be the result if the humidity is around 30 percent. In that situation I think propogatiion boxes may be a better option. Please throw some light on this.
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Yepppp you are right 30% humidity is a huge difference hehe
You could have used other plant species. Micans are like pothos that can thrive wherever you put them. Try to propagate humidity loving plants. They put out leaves almost 50% faster
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
I am rehabing some ecuagenera plants in there and they are becoming quite essential in the rehab process. Will be sharing the results in May/June!
Hi there, I have been researching for weeks now but still can't come to the right conclusion.......I am doing the same thing as you to save my plants in winter and I give them humidity. I place my Hygrometer inside the box and it reached above 100. Will this infect my plants, create root rot and bring spider mites?? I tried this for one night and I see nothing on the plants. I am too scared to close the lid for a week with 100 humidity for my Alocasias. Otherwise Outside Weather is 13°C Precipitation: 4% Humidity: 82% Wind: 23 km/h But I have them indoors so much warmer usually 15o C. Will get Colder during the next month or so. Kind Regards for you help. Thank you
@onlyplants
Жыл бұрын
Hey there, i would treat all plants for pests before putting them in this contraption. Spider mites cannot survive over 90% humidity. Make sure its bright… supplement artifical light if you have to. Keep temperature around 24 degrees celcius celcius if you can but no lower than 18 and no higher than 28
@eehhh3791
Жыл бұрын
@@onlyplants argh I can reach 20o C inside the container since it traps some heat. I have a Propagation heat matt on its way :). Thank you for the tips and advice.
Hey Sean! What kind of monstera is that behind you, the one with the LARGE leaves? I've always found it quite beautiful :)
@michaelxu2304
2 жыл бұрын
At the start of all your videos :)
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
That is the monstera deliciosa 😀 keep in mind theres monstera borsigiana which looks nearly 100% similar but the borsigiana cannot get that big.
@michaelxu2304
2 жыл бұрын
@@onlyplants Thank you for your reply! I'm shocked that a deliciosa's leaves can get that large and dark. And with that many defenestration's! Do you believe it's the climate of Indonesia that allows it to grow so healthy? I doubt I'll be be able to get my deliciosa that beautiful as a houseplant in north america.
A prop box is to get roots on a cutting, why would you leave the plants any longer?
I found that the size of the propagation box also affect the growth of the plant… smaller pot needs a slightly smaller propagation box than the bigger ones, or it will not give you the best result
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Interesting…
I think Indonesia has enough natural humidity, so need no prop boxes there 😊
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
😀😀
will this type of propagation be suitable for adansonii? Newb planter here 😅
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
If your humidity is low, yes I recommend it but adansoniis can take 30-50% humidity okay.
Tp aku kemaren baru aja beli bonggol dari akar Melano crysum bisa saya coba kah .disubgkup
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Iya bisa di coba hehe.
This is really climate dependent - if you live anywhere but the tropics, you NEED prop boxes to get tropical plant cuttings going. I'm in southern Australia and could never get things going without them even though my humidity is pretty good (50 - 70%). It's not just humidity, its just keeping the climate stable around the baby plants. I use a layer of moss on the bottom, not in pots, and never water them, except for a light mist on the moss once or twice over summer if they dry out. They definitely can't be left in the direct sun...unless you want to cook the cuttings for dinner using passive solar lol! I also use them as rehab for things that need a head start. I don't find any issues bringing them out of the boxes at all, as long as they have a good root system on them.I think anything grown with grow lights as additional lighting does better. I also tend to find re used plastic boxes - if they already exist and are being used for something else anyway, it does no further harm to re use them. Op shops here commonly have clear plastic food boxes which work well. Of course old fish tanks and similar work too, just impossible to move around! :) :)
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Whoaaaa great share! Thank you
💚
❤☘️
Lordy, Sean, your natural environment is a prop box by comparison to the environment for many of us in the world. 😂😂😜
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
Haha 😀😀 I think in lower humidity climate the difference would have been more stark
Just a joke: where you trying to milk a cow when you said stay safe and made that hand gesture ? 🌷💚🙃
@onlyplants
2 жыл бұрын
😅
Ivy will root great on spaghum moss and plastoc bins
@onlyplants
Жыл бұрын
Thank you