| Deflasking |
Carefully remove plants from the tissue culture flask, ensuring minimal damage to roots. 🌿 |
- Sterilise equipment such as forceps and scissors. 🧼 - Rinse plants in a sterile solution (e.g., 70% ethanol) before transfer. 🚿 |
Sterilize equipment for 5 minutes ⏳. Rinse plants in a sterile solution for 1 minute ⏳. |
N/A |
| Plug Selection |
Choose appropriate plugs or small pots filled with a suitable growing medium for transplanting. 🪴 |
- Select plug size based on the plant's root system and growth stage. Example: 50-cell plug trays for small seedlings. 📏 |
Use 50-cell plug trays for small seedlings 🌱. |
N/A |
| Preparing Growing Medium |
Ensure the growing medium is well-draining and sterile to prevent contamination. 🏥 |
- Use a mix of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite sterilized in an autoclave. 🌱 - Maintain a pH level of 5.5 to 6.5. 📐 |
Sterilize the growing medium at 121°C for 15 minutes 🔥. Maintain a pH level of 5.8 🧪. |
N/A |
| Transplanting |
Gently transfer tissue-cultured plants into plugs, ensuring proper placement and minimal stress. 🌱 |
- Handle plants with sterilized forceps. 🧤 - Ensure the plant's root collar is at the right depth in the plug. 🌱 |
Transplant with minimal root disturbance 🌱. Place the root collar 1 cm below the plug surface. 📏 |
N/A |
| Watering |
Provide sufficient water to settle the plants in plugs, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. 💧 |
- Use a misting system or gentle watering. 🚿 - Maintain moisture levels to avoid wilting. 🌿 |
Water the plugs until excess moisture drains from the bottom 💧. Maintain moisture at 70-80% 💧. |
Rooting hormone for enhanced root development 🌱. Antifungal solution for root rot prevention 🍄. |
| Humidity Control |
Maintain a high humidity environment around the plugs to reduce transplant shock. 🌧️ |
- Cover plugs with a clear plastic dome or use a misting system. ☁️ - Aim for 80-90% relative humidity. 🌡️ |
Maintain humidity at 85% for the first 7 days ☁️. Use a clear plastic dome with venting 🏡. |
Humidity trays with water reservoirs 💧. |
| Light Exposure |
Gradually introduce tissue-cultured plants to light to prevent sunburn or damage. 🌞 |
- Start with low-intensity light and increase gradually. 🌄 - Maintain a photoperiod suitable for the plant species. 🕒 |
Begin with 100 lux of light intensity for 2 hours daily ☀️. Maintain a 16-hour photoperiod 🕒. |
Grow lights for supplemental lighting 💡. |
| Temperature Control |
Keep the temperature stable and within the appropriate range for the plant species. 🌡️ |
- Example: Maintain a temperature of 22-25°C for most tropical plant species. 🌴 - Use heat mats for temperature control. 🔥 |
Maintain a constant temperature of 23°C 🌡️. Use heat mats to adjust temperature as needed 🔥. |
Heating mats for temperature regulation 🔥. |
| Fertilization |
Begin a light fertilization regimen to support plant growth and development. 🌾 |
- Start with a diluted, balanced fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20). 🥤 - Adjust the fertilizer ratio based on plant requirements. 🌱 |
Use a 1/4 strength balanced fertiliser 🌱. Adjust based on weekly nutrient analysis 🧪. |
Liquid fertilizers for precise application 🥤. |
| Monitoring |
Regularly check for signs of stress, disease, or nutrient deficiencies and address them promptly. 👀 |
- Monitor plant growth, leaf color, and overall health. 👁️ - Conduct nutrient tests if needed. 🧪 |
Weekly visual assessments and monthly nutrient tests 👁️. Address issues within 48 hours 🕰️. |
Pest control products 🐜, pH meters 📏, and nutrient supplements 🌿. |
| Transplanting to Larger Containers |
When the plants have grown sufficiently, move them to larger pots or garden beds for further growth. 🪣 |
- Example: Transplant young tomato seedlings to individual pots when they have 2-4 true leaves. 🍅 |
Transplant to individual pots when plants reach a height of 10 cm with 2-4 true leaves 🪣. |
Potting mix 🌱 and larger containers 🪣. |
| Hardening Off |
If transplanting outdoors, gradually acclimatize plants to outdoor conditions before planting. 🌬️ |
- Reduce humidity and exposure to direct sunlight over several days or weeks. 🌤️ - Protect plants from strong winds. 🌪️ |
Over 7 days, reduce humidity by 10% daily ☁️. Gradually increase sunlight exposure 🌞. Protect from winds above 20 km/h 🌬️. |
Shade cloth ☂️, windbreaks 🌿, and plant supports 🌱. |
