Gecko Grow

Propagation Plug Comparison Part 2:

After 12 days, we documented the results on the progress of rooting our cuttings. While there was root growth on all cuttings, the huge variation between each plug type was unexpected. Our basil cuttings showed the most root growth, and the tomato cuttings had slightly less, but still all rooted.

Most of the peat plugs had good, healthy root development coming out of the sides and the bottom of the plugs. The floral foam had roots coming out the bottom, but interestingly, very few out the sides. We also noted that one of the peat plug brands had really started to fall apart at this point.

On the bottom end of the results were the rockwool and h**p fiber plugs. They both had very little root development with few, or no roots coming out of the plug. To see what was going on, we carefully pulled apart the rockwool and h**p plugs and saw how little root development there was compared to the peat and floral foam counterparts.

Stay tuned to see how the lettuce seeds fared (there was a similar variation in plant growth across the plugs).

Yesterday's winter harvest of red romaine. It may be -14C outside right now, but that doesn't slow down the indoor garden at all.

Grown in a simple DWC system with Masterblend Lettuce Formula and our Venturi Air Injector system.

Happy Growing!🇨🇦🥬🦎

Checking in on your roots is a great way to see if your hydroponic plants are doing well. White roots mean a healthy root zone (unless you're growing rainbow chard, which every hydroponic gardener should try at least once), and brown roots means root rot - a clear sign that something is wrong.

Root rot can be caused by lots of things including pH imbalance, bacteria, and high temperature. If the cause is not fixed, your roots will turn to smelly brown sludge and your plant will die.

If caught in time, however, your plant can recover. Two weeks ago, this strawberry plant had a bad case of root rot, but now that the worst of the rot has been trimmed, the nutrient solution has been refreshed, and the pH has been kept stable, new fresh white roots have begun to grow, the plant is doing well again and we will still be enjoying fresh homegrown strawberries this winter.

Happy Growing! 🇨🇦 🦎 🌱 🍓