Sage stick Project

This was a fun little project to do with our sage plants here. 

I took my cuttings off of a mature healthy plants in need of some trimming.

  Take as many cuttings as you want. Don't go too crazy if you plan on letting your sage re-grow. You will need a pair of scissors and some string to tie them up. Embroidery thread works best but you can use anything your little heart desires.

Start by tying a bundle of sage at the end. 

Start wrapping the sage guiding the leaves to wrap around each other with your other hand 

 Once you get to the top wrap in a criss cross back down to where you started. Tie them off and you have your freshly made smudge sticks. 

Last step is to dry them out. I have mine on drying rack, in a tent

Starting seeds in Rockwool

  

Step 1: Pick your seeds

I am filling an AeroFlo 60 with Red Choi, Green Oakleaf lettuce, Cherokee lettuce, Tat Soi, and Red Choi. 

Step 2. Choose your starter cubes

I am using Grodan's A-OK 1.5" Starter plugs 

Step 3. Adjust PH/fertilize

Some growers don't add any nutrients to their seedling. I personally like to give them a diluted mixture of 100-200 PPM.

For Rockwool I will set  my PH at a 5.5

Step 4. Soak

I like to put the whole sheet into a tray with holes sitting inside one without any. That way I can pour my premixed, pre adjusted water right on top and lift it out to drain. I will let these soak for about 15 minutes. 

Step 5. Drain 

Do not squeeze the water out of the rockwool. 

I will then transfer these cubes into a Grodan Gro-Smart tray. These are awesome and keep your plant from sitting in any stale water that can lead to multiple issues and increases the airflow around the plants. 

                                              

Step 6. Insert our seeds in your plugs

I usually find something like this eye glass size flat head screw driver as a seed setter. The seeds stick well to the flat surface and make it easy for me to get them into their new home.

Once your seeds are all planted and marked you can pinch the holes closed to keep the light out of the plugs while the seeds are germinating. 

I will cover my tray with another nursery flat to keep in humidity and put it in a nice warm spot, preferably on a heat mat. 

Once these little guys sprout I will get them under the light immediately to avoid any streching