Cutting 'Machine'

[Rose Gardener]

Pretty groovy idea there. And it looks like you did a bit of recycling too!

 

hehe i do the same with clay balls and jiffy pots if you keep the water at the right level in the rocks it soaks up keeping the jiffy pots moist not drenched

 

Jiffy pots! I can't find them ANYWHERE!

[Dragonfan]

Edited April 22, 2007 by Dragonfan

[Dragonfan]

CUTTING MACHINE

 

I’ll be quoting my partner for the duration of this spiel,

 

The basic premise for cuttings is simple:

• Use a medium that will store water without creating a haven for bacteria/disease/bugs.

• Hold enough water to provide the necessary hydration (dependent on climate).

• Although not absolutely necessary a good rooting compound assists with getting a nice healthy plant in the shortest amount of time.

 

First you need some basic equipment including one 2 litre softdrink bottle (cut as shown in the second of the following pictures); two 'skewers' (we used the ends of two incense sticks

[at

tachment=23031:attachment]

[we make our own natural incense]); one 84cm (approx.,) 'wick'; and the lid from a 50g can of Horizon Tobacco (they measure about 9.5cm across, a lid from a margarine [1kg] tub can be trimmed to fit too). You need to punch a hole in the centre of the lid, as shown and one through the hole of the drink bottle lid, or remove it completely. Use a hot wire to poke holes about 1cm from where the bottle tapers at the top to insert the skewers (incense stick ends).

(view from above of lid, wick and skewer set up)

 

 

 

 

And now for the secret 'medium'

 

 

Yep, it's bog roll, toilet paper, loo paper . . . whatever you wanna call it, it works a treat!! Stay tuned for the second instalment in this 'How To' create your own cutting machine!!

Edited April 22, 2007 by Dragonfan

[loylty gets u nothing]

nice

thought of an air stone??

do u change the water at any stage??

bil

[Dragonfan]

In short, no, and, no!!

 

There's no need to change the water, as soon as roots are visible in the 'plugs' in the cutting machine, we transplant them to small pots of compost (home grown) and let nature (and our lighting system/indoor cupboard) take over . . .

[Lima]

Where do you get this 'wick' from?

[Dragonfan]

I know we said we'd post the second half of the 'How To' for the cutting machine, but other things intervened . . . my partner's had to return to the States and will not be back in the country for at least 6 months odds . . . so's the rest will have to wait upon his return . . . sorry to leave you guys hanging for so long but it's been a nightmare dealing with Immigration . . . don't start me on that topic . . . once my partner is safely back Down Under, then I'm gonna line up both barrels at the Department and really have a go!

 

Anyways, sorry 'bout this . . . but don't give up . . . you can make your own beaut little Cutting Machine that works a treat, but not until 2008 sometime, sadly!!

 

 

Oh and the wick? We flogged it from my youngest's school project (her beans carked it) . . . but I'm assuming they are the sort you get from hydroponic's suppliers . . . or even some Garden Centres and/or Hardware stores . . .