Recently, I completely stopped using a propagation box with sphagnum moss and switched all of my cuttings to LECA (lightweight expanded clay aggregate). I noticed that some of my moss propagations were taking such a long time to root especially the woody stemmed Hoyas. I root in LECA and then put the cuttings in soil. You just need a few basic supplies to utilize LECA. Supplies:
First, you will want to put your net pot into the cache pot. Next, I put a few LECA pebbles at the bottom. Then, I will add in my cutting and fill the net pot up with more LECA pebbles. Once your cutting in secured fill up your cache pot with Liqui-Dirt roughly a third of the way high. Lastly, stick your propagation on a heat mat that is under a grow light. Your cutting should grow decent roots in 1-2 weeks. I notice that I do have to replenish the water reservoir every 1-2 days to keep the water at a high enough level for the LECA pebbles to absorb. When you notice roots coming out of the net pot into the water reservoir that is a good sign that it's time to remove the cutting from LECA and pot it up. I first remove the net pot from the cache pot. Next, very delicately remove the cutting from the net pot making sure to not pull off any roots. If any roots are stuck on the LECA pebbles I try to gently remove them if possible. The used LECA I set aside till I get a big enough pile and then I will sterilize it. You can sterilize LECA by boiling it on the stove for 10 minutes in water. Then, use your desired potting medium to pot up the cuttings. I pot mine in soil with systemics. Lastly, water your new plant and ideally keep on heat mat for a while longer to keep developing the root system. After I am done with the cache and net pot, I use Physan 20 to disinfect the pots and leave them to dry to be reused.
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