IHORT Starter Plugs & Propagation Supplies
IHORT produces propagation plugs, trays, and accessories used in professional cloning and seed-starting operations. Their Q Plug and J Plug starter plug lines are compressed peat-based media in standard cell sizes designed to fit common propagation tray formats. IHORT plugs wick moisture consistently, maintain adequate air porosity for root development, and transplant cleanly without disturbing the root zone -- the tray format allows tight spacing during propagation and easy individual separation at transplant time.
Q Plug vs. J Plug
IHORT Q Plugs are the standard propagation plug for cloning and seed starting -- a smooth-sided compressed peat plug with a pre-formed hole in the top for stem insertion or seed placement. Q Plugs are available in 50-cell, 98-cell, and 104-cell formats to fit standard propagation trays. IHORT J Plugs are a jiffy peat pellet format that expands when hydrated and is commonly used for direct seed sowing and propagation of larger cuttings. Choose the plug format based on your propagation scale and transplant workflow -- Q Plugs work well in automated propagation systems; J Plugs are preferred where hand transplanting into larger containers is the next step.
High-Volume Propagation
For commercial operations maintaining continuous mother plant programs and weekly clone batches, IHORT plugs offer consistent cell geometry across the tray, predictable moisture retention, and compatibility with standard propagation dome and tray systems. Pair with a propagation rack system and T5 lighting for a complete high-volume setup. Browse Clonex rooting gel for compatible propagation chemistry, or see all cloning and propagation supplies.
IHORT FAQ
What are IHORT Q Plugs used for?
IHORT Q Plugs are compressed peat propagation plugs used for rooting cuttings (clones) and germinating seeds before transplanting to a larger growing medium. The pre-formed hole in the top of each plug accepts a stem cutting or seed directly. Q Plugs maintain consistent moisture and air porosity during root development, and the plug transplants intact with the rooted clone -- minimizing root disturbance at transplant time. Q Plugs are compatible with standard 50-, 98-, and 104-cell propagation trays.
How do you use IHORT Q Plugs for cloning?
Hydrate plugs with water or Clonex Solution before use -- do not soak to the point of saturation, just thoroughly moist with excess water draining out. Dip your prepared cutting in Clonex rooting gel, then insert the gel-coated stem into the pre-formed hole in the Q Plug, gently pressing the plug around the stem to ensure contact. Place loaded trays under a humidity dome at 75-80 degrees F with 80-90% RH. Maintain plug moisture throughout the rooting period -- plugs should feel moist but not waterlogged. Roots typically emerge from the bottom of the plug within 7-14 days depending on species and conditions.
How many clones does an IHORT tray hold?
IHORT Q Plugs are available in 50-cell, 98-cell, and 104-cell tray configurations. The 50-cell tray is most common for hobby and small commercial propagation. The 98-cell and 104-cell formats are preferred for large commercial operations running high-density clone batches. Tray format selection also depends on your propagation rack shelving dimensions -- standard 10x20-inch propagation trays fit most commercially available propagation dome systems.
