Air pruning is a horticultural technique that encourages the healthy growth of a plant’s root system by exposing roots to air in a controlled manner to effectively “prune” themselves. It is particularly popular in container gardening, nursery plant production, and plants requiring high nutrients and water, like tomatoes and peppers.
This natural process occurs in our Q and Excel Plugs when paired with the correct cell tray, preventing roots from circling and becoming root-bound, a common problem in traditional pots. Instead, your plants develop a dense network of fibrous, lateral roots, which can better absorb water and nutrients and support healthier growth. The secret lies in using a tray with a 100% open cell bottom,much like our IHORT designed 78 Ener-G tray. The tray MUST be 100% open to see the true effects of air pruning.
How Air Pruning Works
Q and Excel Plugs when paired with the correct open bottom tray naturally expose the plant’s root tips to air without high humidity. The root tips desiccate (dry out) when exposed to these conditions. Since they require moisture to continue elongating, the exposure to air halts their growth in that direction.
The plant detects that the root tip is no longer viable and responds by stopping further growth at the dried-out tip. Phytohormones within the plant then trigger the growth of new lateral roots further back along the primary root structure, redirecting growth to areas with access to moisture and nutrients.
Instead of developing a few long roots that circle within the container or growing tray cell, the plant produces numerous shorter, fibrous roots branching out from the main root. This development of lateral roots increases the root surface area and creates a highly efficient nutrient and water uptake network.
As the lateral roots grow and reach toward the edges of the plugs, they also encounter air and undergo pruning, thus continuing a cycle that promotes and shapes a robust root structure.
“Seen above are a couple of examples of plants ready to be transplanted with a great root structure but badly circled. Root circling like this can lead to extreme transplant shock and shallow roots once established after transplant. The longer a plant takes to snap back from transplant shock, the greater the chances you could lose a viable plant or added time to harvest.
Also seen here are some great examples of Air Pruned plants. These plants are harder and will experience very little to no transplant shock bringing you a stronger plant that will be ready for harvest much quicker.“
-Dylan Sandstrom, Director of Operations, IHORT
The Benefits of Air Pruning with IHORT Plugs
Promotion of Lateral Root Growth: When root tip growth stops, the plant sends out new lateral roots further up the primary root, creating a dense, fibrous root structure rather than long, tangled roots. A plant with a dense lateral root system can access more resources, thus supporting more significant above-ground growth.
Increased Nutrient Uptake: The fibrous root system created in Q plugs and Excel Plugs has a significantly larger surface area, allowing the plant to take up more water and nutrients. This results in faster, healthier growth.
In traditional containers, roots may circle around the inside the pot, leading to root binding and stunted growth. Air pruning with IHORT Plugs and trays prevent this from happening, supporting better growth and resilience.
Improved Transplant Success: Plants with dense, healthy roots are less prone to transplant shock, as they have a robust root system ready to adapt to new environments.
Enhanced Soil and Root Zone Aeration: The excellent air porosity in Q and Excel plugs allows for greater gas exchange in the root zone, creating an environment less conducive to soil-borne diseases. For instance, pathogens that cause root rot often need moisture-rich, low-oxygen conditions, which are minimized when using a setup with IHORT products.
Less Susceptibility to Disease: Plants grown in our plugs where air pruning naturally occurs tend to be healthier because of increased access to oxygen, nutrients, and beneficial microbes. This increased health and vitality bolsters the plant’s immune system, making it naturally more disease-resistant.
IHORT’s Promise to Growers
Utilizing IHORT Q or Excel Plugs and our uniquely designed Open Bottom cell trays can give your plants the capability of seeing air-pruning benefits. Whether you choose the Q Plug or Excel Plug, you can trust that your plants are set up for healthy, vigorous root development in an optimal growing environment.
We believe that every grower, regardless of the size or scale of their operation, deserves access to top-quality products and support. Our commitment is to provide innovative solutions, expert guidance, and exceptional customer service, because your success is our success.
Our patented growing materials are scientifically proven to enhance root development and plant growth, helping your grow system reach its fullest potential.
We’re here to help you grow. Contact us today to learn how our products can help you reach your highest growing potential.
