Open Plant Propagation Box for Vertical Stems

I designed this propagation box as a variation of my Open Plant Propagation Box, but this version is specifically designed for plants with a vertical stem.

I originally designed it for a Dieffenbachia plant, which had grown very tall while only producing leaves near the top of the plant. I wanted to air propagate the stem so I could encourage new roots further down the plant, cut it off, replant it and create a fuller plant.

Traditional propagation balls can work well for air layering, but I found them less practical for indoor plants. It can be difficult to check the moisture level of the soil inside, and watering them isn't always easy.

To solve these issues, I designed an open propagation box that wraps around the plant's stem. The open top makes it easy to add and monitor the soil, while also making watering much simpler.

The Design

The model consists of three components:

• Main box: The main box consists of two halves that wrap around the plant stem.

• Sliding lock pieces: Two pieces slide over the main box vertically and lock the two halves together around the stem.

• Optional cap: An additional cap can be placed over the grooves of the main box. This helps reduce the amount of water that can escape through the grooves.

I also added foam strips around the circular opening where the stem passes through the box. These help prevent soil and water from escaping through the gap around the stem, however, some water leakage may not be a major issue. Any water that escapes around the stem will simply drip down into the plant pot below.