Rapid Rooter Propagation Kit: 4 oz/118ml VPS Cloning Gel & 50 Rapid Rooter Starter Plugs

This kit works well to propagate cuttings from tree stems and for air layering, but NOT for small or tender stems (like pothos and other similar houseplants). I tried to propagate cuttings with new growth of houseplants, and the soft young stems just disintegrated into the starter plugs. I then tried the kit using older/larger stems (but not too old), and I was able to propagate some fruit tree cuttings. I did not need to scrape off some bark at the base of the cutting to promote root growth, because the bark from my tree cutting is not too mature and tough. Coat the part of the stem that would be enclosed in the plug with the cloning gel, and try to get at least 2 plant nodes in the plug. If the plant cutting is too large, I make a small cut on one side of the starter plug and open it like a hot dog bun before I place the cutting in the plug. You can use a small rubber band to hold the plug together. I make sure the plugs are well hydrated, mist leaves with water, and place the whole thing in a small container with about 1/4" water at the bottom touching the plug (see photo), and cover the whole thing in something transparent (plastic bag or plastic greenhouse). I left it alone in a warm and partially shady area and only open it every week to add more water and mist the leaves. Saw roots emerging from the plugs after 7 weeks!

Work as described my plants came out good strong and healthy

But you have to break them open.

A must have for clones and seedlings!

The root gel is absolute garbage.

The plugs are moist, clean and the gel is sealed and ready. They fit nicely into my grow light box. I got them for cuttings but they are great for my pepper seeds too

This kit works great for rooting cuttings. I will buy it again.

I deducted one star only because you need to know what you're doing before getting this kit. There is not much in the way of guidance for set-up, technique, and application. That being said, I got this kit to use the rooting/cloning gel separately from the soil plugs, only sometimes used together. Both have been really helpful in recovering my garden and valuable tropical potted plants after the hurricane. The soil plugs are pretty standard for seeds or fragments, and they are pre-moistened and ready to use immediately, so thumbs-up there. The gel is the only thing I really needed to dig around for appropriate usage instructions (there are videos on YT that I found helpful). This stuff has been a big help recovering my rare and beloved tropical bushing plants by simply chopping up the remnants of the storm-bulldozed ones, and applying the cloning solution. Months later, they all have roots and many are starting to put out buds again. It's a relief, and I will definitely keep some of this gel in my garden-emergency kit from now on.