12 PCS Plant Root Growing Box, Reusable Air Layering Propagation Kit Plant Rooting Ball Rooting Ball Grafting Tools, Plant Rooting Grafting Box for Fast Propagation Plants, Small

While some plants can be propagated by cuttings, others can be difficult to clone. This design encourages the plant to produce roots on an existing, growing segment which can later be separated and grown. I stripped off some of the bark, filled the ball area with moist dirt, and then secured it around the branch. There are water slits in the plastic to help keep it moist and the mini zip-ties keep it securely attached. I am trying this on several different bushes to start with and hope to have new twigs established by this fall.

The propagating technique via air layering is not complicated, but executing it using traditional methods is akin to the medieval style of poor man’s shoes – wrapping one’s feet in cloth or skins and then tying the whole wrap to your foot. It’s primitive, time-consuming, and one-time use with plastic bag, twine, foil, and seed starting medium. This device is like a pair of modern sneakers in comparison to the medieval foot wrap – a definite upgrade in technique and technology, and well worth the purchase.That being said, these come in a package of 12, with the package containing one of three sizes – small, medium, or large. The small is suitable for air layering with species having thinner woody branches like blueberries. From a propagation perspective I definitely understand having the offering of a 12-pack of one size, which allows you to work in batches production line. This is very helpful for the small size unit. However, I would also appreciate seeing them offered in multi-packs containing different sizes, particularly including the medium and larger size.When air layering larger branches, these are typically applied to large bushes or fruit trees, so one is not necessarily working in a batch of 12 medium or large at a time at this scale. That is, keep in mind that the end result of successful air layering is that you will lop off the rooted branch, so you’re going to execute this in limited quantity against larger branches, especially on your fruit trees. In packs of 12, the medium and larger sizes allow you to have spares over a few seasons or, alternately, some extras to share with fellow gardeners.If you are new to the technique of air layering, these little devices are helpful and I recommend you pair them with the traditional tools of air layering propagation – a sharp gardening knife, pruning shears, quality rooting hormone, and planting medium (preferably sterilized seed starting).

Smaller than the description

When I ordered these, I didn't realize how small the opening would be for my intended use. The small would be good for really small branches, like new grapevines, blueberries, etc., and not shrubs or larger. So it in doubt, go one size larger. That said, I did use them on some grapes this spring, and they did work for that and really made the process easy. It did take a couple months, but was pretty much hands off except for an occasional water addition ("Spring" in my part of Florida is February).

These are great for air propping. You get a lot for the price too

Used these on several different apple & pear trees. Watered regularly. Absolutely no growth. Would like a refund but too late now. DON"T BUY THESE!

Though it is too early to tell if the small cuttings I took today from a camelia and forsythia will take root, I can report that the process of filling the black plastic balls with soil and enclosing branches stripped of bark where the new roots will grow was not difficult. I watched a couple of online videos for tips on plant propagation to gain confidence since I have not donethis before. According to the experts, I should have results in about six weeks. If I do this again, I can re-use these “boxes” or, more likely, I will order larger ones to accommodate bigger plants.The packet of round “boxes” came with no instructions. Lightweight but sturdy enough for their job, they are stacked in a small pile and wrapped in plastic-wrap. It was not difficult to figure out how to use them--I did little fumbling. After closing them up, you run cable ties through each side of the globe to secure them firmly. Though it is a fairly straightforward process, a sheet of instructions, even just some images of the process, would have been helpful.From my limited experience, I think that using these propagation boxes are a simple and tidy way to create more of the plants I enjoy.This product is a good value, in my opinion.

First, let me say I was very disappointed that these did not come with any instructions. Give me a break, it would have cost this company next to nothing to include instructions with these root ball devices. If it was not for the Internet and specifically YouTube, I wouldn't have a clue how to properly use these. After watching a few YouTube videos I prepared my first transplant ball on a Rose stem. The product is simple; just a clam-shell that snaps closed to hold a ball of dirt around the branch. Some folks don't buy anything, but rather just use some plastic wrap to hold the soil, but these are probably easier to use than doing that. My photo makes it look like the bottom of the stem is not aligned with the top but it's just the angle I took the picture that makes it look that way. I plan on doing several more of these but I'm waiting for some root hormone powder I ordered to arrive, which should improve the success rate.